A clumsy drug dealer caused a Whinhall garden shed to explode while producing narcotics in his homemade drugs factory.
Radoslaw Dlugoszewski was attempting to make tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of marijuana, when gas canisters detonated in the wooden hut in May 2017.
The 35-year-old, along with two other men, were rushed to hospital after the blast which left the Polish national in intensive care.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard the explosion occurred because the lab housed cannisters next to damaged plugs and sockets, which is very hospitable for flames.
Nearby properties were rocked during the dangerous scenes.
Dlugoszewski admitted culpably and recklessly producing THC in a dangerous and unsafe environment, causing danger to neighbouring properties and danger of life.
He also admitted two charges of producing and supplying THC, a class B drug, between March and May 2017.
Sheriff Joseph Platt deferred sentence until next month and continued bail.
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Co-accused John Tominey, 33, had not guilty pleas accepted.
After the blast, a shocked neighbour revealed he felt the force of the blast from his home.
The man explained: “It rocked my house. I was watching TV then all of a sudden I heard this loud noise. It was a big boom.
“It was just a gas canister that exploded. I had a look out and saw someone with a garden hose trying to put it out.
“There were a couple of fire engines and police cars. The roof blew off of the shed. They’ve put a blue tarpaulin on top to keep the rain out.”
Another resident said: “I was doing the dishes on Sunday when all of a sudden I heard this bang from down the street.
“It was very loud and I could see a big cloud of black smoke. I called the emergency services as soon as I could.”
