Apparent Gonzales meth lab explosion injures man in trailer

Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Officers are investigating a house fire in Gonzales that apparently was caused by the explosion of a meth lab.

According to Chief Deputy Tony Bacala, a mobile home fire in Wisteria Heights trailer park was reported at 12:56 p.m. and Gonzales Fire Department responders discovered the remnants of a meth lab in the home.

A resident of the mobile home, Mark Rodgers, was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital with burns to his left arm, and was released about two hours later to Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Officers after being treated.

Rogers, 22, of 11232 Roddy Rd., Lot 6, Gonzales is being charged with Creation of a Clandestine Lab but additional charges may be added after the completion of the investigation, according to Bacala.

Narcotics Officers are also investigating reports that one or two adult females and a child may have also in the home when the fire erupted, but fled the scene as emergency response personnel were arriving.

The case remains under investigation and additional arrests are possible, Bacala said.