House damaged when still explodes in Vancouver

An explosion at a house in Vancouver’s Marrion neighborhood early Monday morning was caused by a mishap with a home distillation project, fire officials reported.

Firefighters were called to 1007 N.E. 98th Ave. at about 6:30 a.m. for a report of an explosion that blew out the garage door and part of the front garage wall and ceiling of the home, Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli said.

The residents of the house, who reportedly were asleep at the time, were distilling rakia, a Hungarian alcohol made from grapes.

Rakia is normally about 40 percent alcohol by volume, but home-produced rakia can be 50 to 80 percent alcohol by volume, Scarpelli said.

Fire investigators said that an open flame from the distillation burner likely ignited alcohol vapors, which likely had leaked out after they were not properly sealed in the still, Scarpelli said.

The explosion caused about $15,000 in damage, Scarpelli said, and the occupants did not have renter’s insurance.

Producing distilled spirits within a residence is illegal, according to the state Liquor and Cannabis Board. Scarpelli said the case has been referred to the agency’s enforcement division for follow-up.