KEY POINTS:
Drug squad detectives were today inspecting a Christchurch house where a suspected clandestine drugs laboratory exploded, badly injuring a man on Monday night.
The 31-year-old man, with third degree burns over half his body, remains in a stable condition in the specialist burns unit at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital as police try to trace others involved in the suspected methamphetamine lab.
He was transferred to Auckland late on Tuesday after being put into an induced coma in the intensive care unit at Christchurch Hospital.
Detective Sergeant Greg Murton, of the Christchurch police drug squad, said specialist P lab investigators had completed their forensic examination at the Hornby house.
Detectives moved in today to seek evidence on who had been staying at the house.
They would be at the badly damaged house all day today and possibly tomorrow, Mr Murton said.
He said police had spoken again to a man who presented at Christchurch Hospital with severe burns to his hands and face about midnight on Monday, almost the same time as the suspected P cook.
Mr Murton said police not completely ruled the second man out of their investigation.
The man told police he'd received his burns from a backyard drum fire.
"The burns kind of fit with that scenario," Mr Murton said.
"We think it's unlikely he's involved, but inquiries are still continuing," he said.
"That will take a few days, and he's in a bit of a mess as well."
Mr Murton urged anyone who had been in the house to contact police so they could be eliminated from their investigation.
- NZPA
