Man in serious condition after meth lab explodes

WARSAW, Ind. (WANE)  Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies have determined that a Warsaw man who received 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his body was the result of a meth lab exploding. The man previously told police that he was burned when he used gasoline to burn trash.

Kosciusko Community Hospital personnel called police to the emergency room around 9:00 Wednesday morning where deputies talked with the victim, 31-year-old Toby Daniel Jackson.

Jackson said he'd been trying to burn trash with the use of gasoline when the fire exploded back to the gas can and then on to him. He told officers he was at a home somewhere on Backwater Road near North Webster, and that he eventually was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital by his mother for treatment.

Jackson was later moved to the St. Joseph Regional Burn Center in Fort Wayne. He is in serious condition with 2nd degree burns to his arms and neck along with 3rd degree burns to his hands.

After receiving information from undercover officers, police found what they believe to be the scene of a meth lab explosion near the intersection of Armstrong Road and County Road 675 East, just west of North Webster Wednesday evening. 

Police said they found evidence of a one-pot method meth lab that had apparently exploded, along with precursors. 

Kosciusko County officers said potential charges related to the meth lab and items located at the scene are being forwarded to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for review.