KEY POINTS:
A man who received serious burns from a explosion at a suspected P-lab in Wellsford on Saturday has died.
The 33-year-old died yesterday afternoon at Middlemore Hospital, police said.
A second man who also suffered significant burns in the incident remains in a serious condition in hospital.
Detective Inspector Steve Wood said a criminal investigation was underway and a coroner's investigation is also being conducted into the death.
A post mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow morning.
The dead man's name will not be released by police until next of kin have been formally notified.
The two men were dropped off at the medical centre in Wellsford by a woman who then drove away.
The woman who drove the men to the medical centre had been charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Detective Inspector Steve Wood, from North Shore police, said drug labs where methamphetamine was made were highly dangerous.
They were often in homes where there were children, exposing them to toxic, volatile and dangerous chemicals.
"We are talking about amateurs who are dealing with volatile and toxic chemicals which should only be handled by a chemist or scientist," he said.
He said often the "cooks" who made the methamphetamine were high on drugs as they worked, adding to the danger level.
One of the men had burns to 60 to 65 per cent of his body, including his entire back, abdomen, upper arms and face.
The other had burns to 40 to 50 per cent of his body.
Mr Wood said people should call police if they suspected a clandestine lab operation in a neighbouring property. Tell-tale signs included the smell of chemicals, blacked out windows, and running water.
He said the manufacturing process produced gases which were highly volatile and which could be ignited by the smallest spark or ignition source.
- NZHERALD STAFF, NZPA
