By Sarah Hogsed
Register News Writer
RICHMOND —
A local man received serious burns to his face and arms after a meth lab exploded early Saturday morning in a Super 7 motel room, Richmond police report.
Shortly before 1 a.m., Richmond police and firefighters responded to a call about a possible fire at the hotel, according to an RPD news release.
Smoke was coming from the bathroom of the hotel room when the emergency crews arrived, according to the release. Firefighters entered the room and found a melted plastic container that officers recognized to be a one-step methamphetamine lab, the released stated.
Witnesses at the hotel told police they heard a loud popping noise “similar to a gunshot” coming from the room and saw two men fleeing the room, according to the release.
Police found drain cleaner, coffee filters, tubing and plastic bottles in the room, all items commonly used to make meth, the release stated.
Shortly after the hotel incident, Richmond police learned that Robert Maggard, 28, of Winburn Drive, had arrived at Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center with burns on his face and arms.
Maggard was transferred to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment of nonlife-threatening injuries, and officers charged him with manufacturing methamphetamine. Maggard was not taken into custody, but he was ordered to appear in court July 31.
Sarah Hogsed can be reached at shogsed
@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.
