Meth Lab Fire Sends Operator to Burn Center
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Spengler
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Interlachen – An Interlachen man is currently being treated for severe burns at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. On February 1, 2010, at approximately 7:00 pm, 32 year-old Robert Douglas Spengler was transported by an acquaintance to Putnam Community Hospital for treatment for severe burns. Due to the severity of the victim’s injuries, he was transferred to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. The latest information received is that Spengler is sedated and in critical condition with burns to over 80% of his body.
Deputies responded to Spengler’s residence, located at 139 Cherokee Avenue in Interlachen, in an attempt to determine the cause of Spengler’s injuries. It was determined that a bedroom inside the residence had recently been engulfed in flames, but was no longer burning. Putnam County Volunteer Fire Service personnel responded to inspect the home and verify that the fire was extinguished. Deputies and fire personnel located what they believed to be an active meth lab inside the bedroom. The State Fire Marshall's Office was requested to assist with the investigation.
Detectives with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Drug/Vice Unit were notified and responded to the scene. Detectives confirmed that an active methamphetamine lab was inside the residence. The lab was found to be what is called a "one pot" method. This method is very dangerous and is commonly known as the "shake and bake" method. This method is becoming more frequently found in this area. This is a very unstable process and has a tendency to explode during the manufacturing.
The detectives dismantled the lab and Summit Environmental responded to the scene to dispose of hazardous waste.
Robert Douglas Spengler could face criminal charges for the manufacture of methamphetamine and arson. The arson charge would result from a fire being started during the commission of a felony.
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