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A North Webster man suffered severe injuries Friday when a fire extinguisher filled with anhydrous ammonia exploded, burning his body and lungs.
Greg Rice, 48, of 6886 E. May Lane, is in serious condition at Saint Joseph Regional Burn Center, Fort Wayne.
The extinguisher reportedly exploded when Rice attempted to thaw the frozen container under hot running water.
Witnesses told police Rice was thawing the anhydrous ammonia, a key ingredient in the production of methamphetamine, for a friend, Blake Neely, 41, of 791 Ind. 13N, Pierceton.
Rice allegedly was going to manufacture the drug for Neely to repay a $2,000 debt.
Police then visited Neely and allegedly found him and another man, Steve Salzwedel, in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine in a barn at Neely's residence.
An illegal semi-automatic handgun also was found. Serial numbers had been removed from the weapon.
Neely and Salzwedel were arrested and charged with having an illegal drug lab. This is Neely's fourth arrest for drugs since July 25. The Drug Task Force also expects to bring charges against the men for the illegal gun.
Information related to the incident at the Rice residence was forwarded to the prosecutor's office for charges.
Anyone with information regarding illegal drug activity in the county should contact the Task Force at 372-2494. A $250 cash reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of persons manufacturing methamphetamine.
