Explosion evacuates apartment building in Koreatown

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - Authorities are investigating after an explosion early Tuesday inside a Koreatown apartment prompted an evacuation of the building, authorities said.

Firefighters were called around 12:40 a.m. to reports of an explosion inside a building in the 800 block of South Ardmore Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The flames had been extinguished by a sprinkler system when fire crews arrived, but also caused flooding in the hallway and garage of the building.

Cans of butane were found inside an apartment, which can be used to extract hash or honey oil out of marijuana, and police initially investigated the residence as a suspected honey oil lab.

A male suspect was taken into custody at the scene but later released due to insufficient evidence.

All residents were evacuated but later allowed to return to their apartments. Neighbors said the explosion could be heard from down the street.

"I've heard some weird stuff about this building, so it's nothing new," said Sally Melchor, who lives on Ardmore Avenue.

The cause of the explosion remained under investigation by the the Los Angeles Fire Department.