Published: August 24, 2009 04:40 pm      

Drug lab explodes in Azle with investigators on scene

AZLE - Parker County Sheriff’s Investigators were responding to an investigative tip pertaining to a suspected drug lab when it exploded with deputies on scene late Monday morning.

Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said one suspect was injured in the blast and is currently under medical supervision.

Investigators approached the front and rear doors of the residence, located in the 2000 block of Highway 199 East in Azle, and surrounded a storage building on the premises.

A man answered the door to the storage building, and when deputies identified themselves, he slammed the door.

Deputies and investigators heard noises coming from within the building and said an explosion shook the building and home.

Investigators said a methamphetamine lab was within the building, which apparently caused the explosion, injuring the suspect.

The man suffered numerous burns and cuts, was taken to a local hospital for treatment and is reportedly in fair condition, treated and released.

Suspects within the residence exited the home and investigators arrested one male and one female, discovering enough drugs to charge the pair for possession with intent to manufacture/delivery a controlled substance.

A warrant for the injured suspect is pending for possession of certain chemicals.

Firefighters from Reno and Springtown Volunteer Fire Department, the Parker County Fire Marshal’s Office and Azle Fire

Department arrived on scene to extinguish the fire.

“We were fortunate enough that no investigators or deputies were hurt in the explosion,” Fowler said. “If they would have gone in, they would have faced a wall of fire. These types of activities are extremely dangerous in that a small child was on the premises. Luckily, that child was not injured.”

At this time, investigators are still on scene, serving a search warrant and conducting their investigation.