Possible Meth Lab Explosion Inside Federal Lab Investigated

A recipe for making methamphetamine and some of the ingredients used in the drug were found by authorities after an explosion Saturday at a federal laboratory in Gaithersburg as police investigate whether an employee made the illicit drug on the site.

An explosion was reported about 7:30 p.m. Saturday on the campus of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce.

NBC Washington reports responders found a blast shield inside a NIST building had flown about 25 feet. Montgomery County Police told the TV station the blast may have been caused by a chemical reaction during the manufacture of drugs.

Pseudoephedrine, drain opener and a recipe for methamphetamine were found inside the lab, NBC reports.

A high-ranking member of the agency’s security force was at the scene with burns to his hands and arms. That officer has since resigned, says NBC.

Police have not filed charges in the case.