Suspected meth lab explodes in South Kitsap

The Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about two “persons of interest” this week after an apparent methamphetamine lab exploded in a South Kitsap home on Tuesday night.

Spokesman Deputy Scott Wilson said neighbors called 911 around 10:17 p.m. to report “a loud explosion in the garage” of a home on the 3300 block of Winsor Court off Lund Avenue.

Wilson said neighbors also reported seeing two men exiting the home about the time of the explosion, one who ran toward Yorkshire Avenue, and the other who ran through the backyard.

When deputies arrived, Wilson said they described the garage door of the home as “demolished,” and that with the amount of debris in the driveway, it was “apparent there had been an explosion.”

Detectives from the West Sound Narcotics Enforcement Team (WestNET) and members of the Pierce County Clandestine Lab Team also arrived at the home to investigate.

Wilson said when investigators entered the garage, they quickly noticed a strong chemical odor coming from a certain section, and there located several items commonly known to be used in the manufacture of meth, including tubing, tanks, and a heat bottle.

Also inside the garage, Wilson said, was a vehicle known to be registered to a 36-year-old Gig Harbor man who is one of the persons of interest being sought by deputies.

“He is well-known to law enforcement and to have connections and involvement in narcotics,” he said, adding that the second person of interest is a 27-year-old South Kitsap man who is also known to have connections with narcotics.

According to WestNET, investigators have “considerable concern over possible injuries that may have been suffered by one of the individuals who ran from the scene,” and requested that anyone who has information about any recent burn victims that may have been injured in a result explosion to call WestNET at 337-7064.

Wilson said the 49-year-old owner of the home arrived while officers were investigating the scene, but she claimed that the owner of the car did not have permission to be there and she had no prior knowledge of him being there.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.