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Neighbors Want Harsh Penalty For Suspect In Hotel Hash Oil Explosion

By Tom Mustin

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Police have found the man believed to be responsible for a hash oil explosion at a Boulder Hotel.

Jonathan Tarr, 34, will be arrested after being treated for injuries related to the explosion.

It's a night James Lively will never forget.

"The explosion woke me," he told CBS4's Tom Mustin.

boulder explosion
(credit: CBS)
boulder explosion (1)
(credit: CBS)

On April 13 Lively and his infant son were asleep at Boulder's Roadway Inn/Broker Hotel when the explosion erupted in a nearby room. The blast shattered glass and blew out a wall.

"It was pretty crazy, we were all evacuated around 4 a.m.," said Lively.

Amazingly nobody was hurt, except for Tarr and possibly an accomplice. On Wednesday, police found Tarr inside a Boulder home. He was taken to a local hospital after receiving burns on his hand.

Lively says Tarr deserves to be punished for putting so many people in danger.

"I hope they punish him to the full extent of the law ... If it was up to me, I'd have him charged with child endangerment as well," he said.

The hotel is located near several University of Colorado dorms. The butane oil ignited inside of a bathroom.

Explosion At Broker Inn
Inside the room at the Broker Inn (credit: CBS)
Explosion At Broker Inn
Inside the room at the Broker Inn (credit: CBS)

Student Eliza Lyon also has no sympathy for the person who put her fellow students in danger.

"Go to jail, and not be able to come back around here. Things like that should not happen around students," Lyon said.

Tarr is facing several charges, including arson and reckless endangerment. He also is facing drug charges for allegedly possessing 24.5 grams of methamphetamine.

The damage estimate at the hotel is $10,000.

Tom Mustin is CBS4's Weekend Anchor. He has been with CBS4 since 2002, and is always looking for great story ideas. Connect with Tom on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @TomCBS4.

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