Methamphetamine Lab in Home Explodes
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A makeshift methamphetamine lab exploded inside a house Tuesday, injuring at least one person who remained at large, police said.
The 7:30 a.m. explosion in the 8400 block of Valley View Street blew out the front windows and ignited a fire, Sgt. Lloyd Schwengel said.
Arriving firefighters found smoke streaming from a bathroom where someone had been operating a methamphetamine cooker.
Schwengel said kerosene being used as a solvent caused the explosion.
No one was found inside the house, but in the bathroom were plastic containers of chemicals, propane gas, butane torches and a cooker, Schwengel said.
There were also bloodstains trailing from the bathroom to the backdoor.
Officers scoured hospitals Tuesday for anyone with injuries suffered in such an explosion.
Authorities are also searching for the tenant who rents the house. He is identified as Robert Paul Pate, 38.
Anyone with information is asked to call Buena Park police at (714) 562-3935.
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