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2 arrested in meth lab explosion

• Two residents face drug charges after a Saturday meth lab explosion at an Albany home.

Susan McCord

ALBANY — Authorities have arrested two people who lived at a Maryland Drive residence where a methamphetamine lab exploded Saturday, while charges are still pending against a man injured in the explosion.

The Albany Dougherty Drug Unit remained at the home at 1610 Maryland Drive for 12 hours after the blast, which started a fire in a second-story room and sent Matt Olsen, 20, to the hospital with deep cuts from flying glass, ADDU Commander Derrell Smith said.

A hospital spokesperson said Olsen was in good condition Saturday.

Charges against Olsen are pending, but two other residents of the home have been charged with a crime after a marijuana plant was discovered in the house by drug agents Saturday, Smith said.

Elizabeth J. White, 20, and Wanda A. Cole, 21, were charged with possession of marijuana, he said.

ADDU is the investigating agency in the blast, which forced neighbors from their homes, located just a few doors down from Saint Teresa’s school.

The fire probably destroyed any actual methamphetamine being cooked in the lab, “a smaller one,” Smith said.

Neighbors stated Saturday that they’d complained to police about unusual activity at the residence, but Smith said ADDU was unaware of it.

“We have not gotten a complaint about meth” at the house, he said.

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