Meth lab explosion burns Tenn. man
By Ben Benton
The Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
DUNLAP, Tenn. — While one man injured in a meth lab explosion still recovers from burns to his arms and face, two women also charged in the
incident remain jailed, Sequatchie County authorities said.
Stanley Stewart, 24, was airlifted from a local trauma center after the fire erupted at a mobile home at 99 Fescue Road about 6:30 p.m. CST Friday,
just outside the Dunlap city limits, said Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock.
Mr. Stewart; Cynthia Morgan, 20; and Juanita Gray, 42, each face charges of manufacturing meth and initiation of the methamphetamine manufacture
process, Sheriff Hitchcock said.
"They were trying to cook meth in a one-pot method" using anhydrous ammonia, he said. "It blew up and burned him on his arms and face."
Mr. Stewart could remain in treatment at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville "from two weeks to two months," the sheriff said.
According to sheriff's reports, Dunlap police and fire officials responded to the scene and found evidence of a meth lab.
Deputies took over the investigation since the home was outside of town, reports state.
They found Mr. Stewart at nearby North Valley Medical Center, and he was later transferred to Nashville, reports state.
Assistant District Attorney Steve Strain said Mr. Stewart already has a meth lab case pending, and his current case might proceed later than the two
women's.
"We can deal with them separately. He's not our prisoner at this point," Mr. Strain said.
He said the case against Ms. Morgan and Ms. Gray will continue.
"We'll probably take up bond issues and legal representation on Friday," he said.
Copyright 2008 Chattanooga Publishing Company
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