ASHTABULA — An Ashtabula resident was hospitalized Monday after coming into contact with a mobile methamphetamine lab in a vehicle parked in the 1300 block of West Eighth Street, officials said.
The resident, whose name has not been released, was badly burned by the chemical reaction, City Solicitor Michael Franklin said.
“The victim’s connection to the meth lab is not clear,” he said, noting the meth lab was what authorities refer to as an active “shake and bake” meth lab, which are very dangerous.
The so-called shake-and-bake meth is made by combining raw, unstable ingredients in a 2-liter soda bottle. If the person mixing the brew makes even a small error, such as removing the cap too soon or accidentally punching a hole in the plastic, the concoction can explode and burn or permanently disfigure or kill the person.
The Ashtabula Fire Department cleaned up the scene.
“The people who engage in this criminal activity are inherently dangerous because they are stupid enough to think that they can handle caustic, toxic substances that react with each other in an extremely violent way with no training and no safety precautions,” Franklin said. “Mostly they kill and maim themselves, but their conduct recklessly and irresponsibly threatens others.”
Franklin said Ashtabula is not a rural community with houses located miles apart; the houses are close to each other.
“I will do everything in my power to prosecute the people who subject our innocent citizens to this type of hazard to the fullest extent the law allows,” he said. “There are no plea bargains available in Ashtabula for people who make methamphetamine or who are caught dealing or possessing it.
The police are investigating the incident.
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