The Ashe County Sheriff's Office reports that Steve Lee, a 39 year old Crumpler resident, was seriously injured in a meth lab explosion on Tom Fowler road last night.

"It was a 'shake and bake' operation," said Ashe County Sheriff James Williams. "It's a highly dangerous way of cooking meth where they mix precursor chemicals in liter bottles. It's extremely combustible."

Williams said the explosion occurred sometime before midnight last night and Lee made his way to Ashe Memorial Hospital; Williams said he was uncertain whether Lee transported himself to the hospital or was brought by someone else.

"He suffered third degree burns to his arm and face and was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Memorial Hospital last night," said Williams.

Williams said SBI investigators, in conjunction with Lieutenant Grady Price of the Ashe County Sheriff's Office, were beginning their investigation of the mobile home where the explosion occurred.

"We expect we'll find several labs," said Williams.

The Jefferson Post will update as more details become available.