Kosciusko County police officers today have determined that the burns sustained by Toby Daniel Jackson, 31, of Warsaw, yesterday were the result of a meth lab explosion.

Kosciusko County Drug Task Force officers, along with Warsaw City drug officers, have located what they believe is the scene of a meth lab explosion that seriously burned Jackson yesterday morning at approximately 8:59 a.m.

Information was provided to undercover officers Wednesday evening that led them to the an undisclosed location near the intersection of Armstrong Road and CR 675 East, just west of North Webster. DTF officers located evidence of a one-pot method methamphetamine lab that had apparently exploded, along with other meth related items including precursors.

Emergency room personnel at Kosciusko Community Hospital alerted police Wednesday morning that Jackson was brought to the hospital by his mother suffering from burns to his hands, face and neck. Initial information provided by Jackson was that he had been burning trash with gasoline and that it flashed back to the can, burning him.

Jackson was transferred to the St. Joseph Regional Burn Center in Fort Wayne, in serious condition with second and third degree burns

Originally, Jackson also told Kosciusko County deputies that he was at an unknown location on Backwater Road, but had been reluctant to provide more detailed information as officers search several locations throughout the day to no avail.

Kosciusko County DTF officers stated that potential charges related to the meth lab and items located at the incident scene are being forwarded to the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office for review. As we reported yesterday, Jackson does have a criminal record for dealing methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, criminal conversion and possession of marijuana.

Jackson remains in the burn unit at St. Joseph Hospital, Fort Wayne, reportedly still in serious condition.