× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

MISSOULA — The girlfriend of a Missoula man who is accused of causing an explosion while trying to make hash oil in a University of Montana apartment earlier this month has been arrested and is facing felony charges.

Virginia Marie Ervin, 18, allegedly stayed in the residence with her 19-month-old daughter while her boyfriend, Patrick Wayne Austin, used butane to extract hash oil from marijuana in the kitchen. Ervin is a University of Montana freshman who graduated from Big Sky High School.

According to the affidavit, Ervin knew Austin had previously injured himself while making hash oil, but she usually left the apartment with her daughter during the process. On Oct. 12, however, Ervin was tired and took her daughter into another room to “just chill” and watch television.

About 15 to 30 minutes after Austin allegedly started extracting the oil, Ervin told police, she heard a loud “whoosh sound” and glanced up to see the kitchen on fire.

“She then realized that both her and her child’s hair were on fire,” the affidavit stated.

The explosion blew out the windows of the apartment, leaving pieces of glass and marijuana buds on the lawn and street below. Austin, Ervin and her daughter were taken to the hospital and treated for second- and third-degree burns.