Date:  July 7, 2012      

Address:  150 E. Crosstown Pkwy., Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact:  Captain Julie Parsons, Criminal Investigations Division, (269) 337-8139

SUSPECTED METH LAB EXPLOSION AND FIRE INJURES TWO

Kalamazoo, MI:  On July 7, 2012 at approximately 2206 hours, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1700 block of Bloomfield located on the City’s southeast side.  Additional calls to KDPS 911 Dispatch indicated that the fire was a result of an explosion and that the explosion was the result of meth being cooked at the residence. 

Once on scene, firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, during which time they located evidence of a possible meth lab that had been operating inside the residence.  None of the occupants of the residence were present when Public Safety Officers arrived on scene and witnesses reported seeing several subjects flee the apartment shortly after the explosion. 

A 31-year-old Kalamazoo resident suffered some minor lacerations when he attempted to put out the fire.  He is not believed to be associated with the meth lab explosion.  He was treated by LIFE personnel on scene and refused transport to a local hospital.  A second subject, a 34-year-old Kalamazoo resident showed up at Borgess Hospital, approximately 45 minutes after the fire with significant burns to his body.  His injuries are considered serious but non-life threatening.  The investigation is continuing and it is unknown at this time to what extent this individual played in the explosion and subsequent fire.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Kalamazoo Public Safety Criminal Investigative Division at (269) 337-8139 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.

By authority of:  Lieutenant Jeff VanderWiere

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