Story Published:
Apr 24, 2009 at 11:16 AM CST
Story Updated:
Apr 28, 2009 at 10:48 PM CST
BILLINGS, Mo. -- The Christian County sheriff says a working meth lab sparked an explosion on Thursday night at a home west of Billings. Neighbors say they're not surprised by the lab but they didn't think this is how it'd be uncovered.
"We always joked that that's probably the meth lab in the community, and we just joked around about it."
"I was milking my last few cows, 10 after 9, and I heard this noise like a fireworks launcher going off."
"The process of making meth itself is what's really dangerous and more than likely what caused this explosion is the volatile chemicals they were using."
The propane, jars and gloves to make meth still sit outside what's left of the trailer.
Four men were in the home. Sheriff Joey Kyle says three were taken by helicopter amublance to a hospital in Springfield. They have serious burns and one of them may not make it.
"They asked me about prosecution and I thought to myself, 'Is there going to be a need?' They probably suffered worse at their own hands than we're going to be able to do to them," said Kyle.
For neighbors, it's a sad confirmation.
"It seemed like something was fishy."
The sheriff says there is a history of illegal drgus at this home. Deputies served a search warrant on the property as recently as last year for suspicion of meth.
