San Francisco Explosion and Fire Leaves Five Families Displaced, One Man Arrested
On Friday, police arrested 53-year-old Darron Price of San Francisco in connection with an explosion and fire that occurred in the Outer Sunset neighborhood a day earlier.[0] Price is facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, manufacturing a controlled substance, four counts of reckless burning, two counts of child endangerment, and one count of elder abuse for allegedly “proximately” causing bodily injury to the caretaker of the residence.[1]
The explosion and fire destroyed two homes and damaged a dozen more, leaving five families displaced.[2] According to the San Francisco Fire Department, one firefighter was injured while putting out the three-alarm fire.[3]
The victim, 51-year-old Rita Price, was identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.[4] The caretaker of the home, Lisa, suffered severe burns and was transported to a hospital.[5] Despite the horrific experience, friends report that Lisa was conscious enough to tell people that her disabled employer was still inside the house and needed help.[5]
Police suspect that an active illegal narcotics manufacturing lab was in the home, which was likely responsible for the explosion.[6] They believe the lab was manufacturing hash oil and phencyclidine, also known as PCP.[7] A police source also said that Lisa was doing laundry when the dryer might have sparked the explosion.[8]
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement, “We must send a clear message that the manufacture of dangerous drugs will not be tolerated in San Francisco; this activity is not only dangerous for the individuals involved but entire neighborhoods as this case so tragically demonstrates.”[9]
In response to the tragedy, Supervisor Joel Engardio is organizing a private town hall meeting this Wednesday to offer support and resources to affected residents.[0]
Price is being held in San Francisco County Jail without bail.[2] The case remains an active investigation, with police asking anyone with information to call the 24-hour tip line at (415)575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD.[10]
0. “SF home explosion neighbor recalls suspect bringing in ‘heavy industrial equipment'” msnNOW, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/sf-home-explosion-neighbor-recalls-suspect-bringing-in-heavy-industrial-equipment/ar-AA17rCPP
1. “Home drug lab suspected in San Francisco explosion that killed one, injured two” WSB Radio, 12 Feb. 2023, https://www.wsbradio.com/news/national/home-drug-lab/C5XS6DEBCAU3RTZL6JFFDIJYUI/
2. “House explodes and erupts into flames in massive blast killing one captured on CCTV” The Mirror, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/us-news/house-explodes-erupts-flames-massive-29207507
3. “2 injured in 3-alarm fire in San Francisco, 3 homes impacted” KMAland, 9 Feb. 2023, https://www.kmaland.com/news/national_news/2-injured-in-3-alarm-fire-in-san-francisco-3-homes-impacted/article_bd536257-7cf6-526c-941e-ebd5245d959b.html
4. “Woman Killed in San Francisco Home Explosion, Fire Identified” NBC Bay Area, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-francisco/san-francisco-home-explosion-fire-victim-identified/3158138
5. “SF house explosion suspect in court” KRON4, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/san-francisco-house-explosion-suspect-charged-with-multiple-felonies/
6. “Deadly explosion in the Sunset District raises safety concerns” Axios, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2023/02/14/sunset-district-explosion-public-safety-concerns
7. “Suspect Arrested In Sunset Home Explosion Was Allegedly Making PCP and/or Hash Oil In the House” SFist, 11 Feb. 2023, https://sfist.com/2023/02/11/suspect-arrested-in-sunset-home-explosion-was-allegedly-making-pcp/
8. “51-Year-Old Woman Killed In Sunset Explosion ID'd; GoFundMe Launched For Injured Caregiver” SFist, 15 Feb. 2023, https://sfist.com/2023/02/15/51-year-old-woman-killed-in-sunset-explosion-identified
9. “Suspect in Deadly San Francisco Home Explosion, Fire Charged With Multiple Felonies” NBC Bay Area, 16 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-francisco/suspect-charges-san-francisco-home-explosion-fire/3158170/
10. “Explosion in San Francisco Neighborhood Caused by Drug Factory, Police Department Says” The Epoch Times, 12 Feb. 2023, https://www.theepochtimes.com/explosion-in-san-francisco-neighborhood-caused-by-drug-factory-police-department-says_5051468.html
