Jefferson County deputies responding to a report of an explosion and fire in Dandridge discovered a working meth lab Tuesday night.
According to Jefferson County Detective Ronnie Coleman, the call at 705 Ross Drive came in at 6:47 pm. The first deputy on the scene found Bryan Keith Koester, 24, coming out of the house. He said he was working on a lawnmower when the explosion that blew the garage door off the house happened.
The deputy could smell chemicals and suspected something else was going on, so he notified detectives, the fire department and EMS.
Authorities discovered an active meth lab was working in the garage, along with other meth making components throughout the house. The mixing of the chemicals apparently caused the explosion.
Koester and his mother were taken to Jefferson County Hospital for treatment, then released. Koester was charged and taken to jail.
Their home has been quarantined until it can by cleaned up.