Drug lab house 'uninhabitable' after explosion

Three people were due to reappear in court today as police continued investigations into a suspected illegal drug laboratory explosion at a property in an upmarket Auckland street at the weekend.

Two men were still in hospital today following the explosion in exclusive Paritai Drive in Orakei on Friday night.

Police said that the property which had been rented out would be returned to its owners today although it would remain uninhabitable for sometime.

Three people appeared in Auckland District Court on drugs charges on Saturday and were remanded to reappear today.

Police said that the two in hospital had yet to be charged.

Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott said they were likely to be in hospital for some time.

He said police had yet to complete their inquiries and were in no hurry to charge the two.

"We will need to talk to them. They are not really in a fit state at the moment. We have got guys assigned to them and monitoring their progress and dealing with the health specialists who are looking after then and we hope to speak to them sometime this week."

Mr Scott said the two injured men were very lucky to be alive.

James Bullion was seriously ill in the intensive care unit at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital and Joshua Sergeant was in a stable condition in the hospital's burns unit.

Brand Heath Colby Sutton, 26, and Zara Kathleen Adams, 24, were remanded in custody when they appeared in Auckland District Court on Saturday. Kevin Sonny Cress, 27, was released on bail.

Mr Scott said police would today seek a further remand for the trio.

"We have got a lot of forensic evidence to go over...we are not going to rush anything."

Mr Scott urged people to call police if they suspected a drugs lab operating from a property near them.

Warning signs included a strong smell of chemicals, consistent running water, and a regular stream of visitors to the house.

- NZPA