August 22nd, 2017 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland Times News reportd an alleged meth-maker was burned while cooking a new batch of the drug Monday, sparking a flash fire inside his East Main Street apartment that sent dozens of emergency responders to the scene. Somerset Borough Police said Jesse Kielbasinski, 34, had to be taken to Somerset Hospital for treatment – and showered and scrubbed for decontamination – before police were able to transfer him to the county's central booking station to face charges for the lab.  Chief Randy Cox said police were called to the scene at 7:15 p.m. on reports of a structure fire. And they quickly learned a meth lab was involved, he said.

 

In a release to media, Cox said two Somerset police officers were met by Kielbasinski on their way into the home – and soon recognized "a chemical haze hanging in the air."

Kielbasinski allegedly told investigators the blaze was a chemical fire – and moments later, admitted he was trying to make meth when an "explosion" occurred, Cox said.