Police charge man after fatal P-lab explosion

File photo / Greg Bowker

Police have charged a man with allowing drugs to be manufactured after a fatal explosion at a suspected P-lab south of Auckland.

Clint Gordon Curly, 25, died in a blast at the property on Mckinney Rd in Glenbrook just before 6pm on Thursday.

Police have revealed Mr Curly was manufacturing an "illicit drug" when a chemical process went wrong and caused the explosion.

Forensic tests will determine which drug Mr Curly was manufacturing, police said.

Counties Manukau Police Detective Senior Sergeant Al Symonds said a 38-year-old man will appear at Pukekohe District Court on Wednesday in connection with the case.

He has so far been charged with allowing drug manufacture but it was likely more charges will be laid, he said.

In the wake of the explosion, neighbours told the Herald "everyone knows" the Glenbrook house was used to cook methamphetamine and it was not surprising that it blew up.

One man said it had been only a matter of time before an accident like that happened.

"In the community, we know it as 'the P house'."

Children did not go near it "for that reason", he said.

It is understood the man who died was a friend of the man who lives at the house.

Neighbours said the armed offenders squad had been called to the address more than once in relation to firearms offences.

"You don't have to be Einstein to work out what was going on," one said.

A woman who was returning home with her daughter after netball practice said it was "very upsetting" to turn into her street and find it filled with police.
Another neighbour said he had heard the explosion but did not think too much of it at the time because of the steel mill nearby.

Mr Symonds said it was disappointing to hear people had not reported their suspicions to police.

"If we are to combat the scourge of methamphetamine and other harmful drugs, then we need the help of the community to do so," he said.

The anonymous police Crimestoppers number is 0800 555 111.

- NZ HERALD STAFF