Meth Lab Explodes, Severely Burns Woman, Ignites Barn

A meth lab exploded Monday, severely burning a woman and setting fire to a barn in the 2400 block of Branch Lane in St. Charles County southwest of .

Two men face arson and drug charges in the incident.

Dale A. Lenze, 53, the landowner, and Kyle W. Green, 24, each was charged Tuesday with first-degree arson and manufacturing methamphetamine. Lenze also was charged with possessing meth.

Lenze told detectives that Green told him a one-pot meth lab “went bad” during the meth-making process and exploded at about 12:30 p.m. Monday, severely burning a woman’s legs and feet. Lenze told detectives he saw the fire in the upper portion of the barn and heard the woman “screaming in agonizing pain.”

Green took her to for treatment.

Lenze told police he allowed Green and the woman to stay in living quarters in the barn and make meth. In return, he received a portion of the meth, he told detectives.

Drug Task Force detectives found vessels and chemicals used to make meth in plain sight on the property, according to court documents. They also found burnt foil used as smoking devices in the area. Residue on the foil tested positive for meth, according to a Drug Task Force report.

After obtaining a search warrant, detectives found more chemicals and devices used to cook meth, detectives reported.

Bond for Lenze and Green was set at $75,000 each, cash only.

The Wentzville Fire Protection District responded to the fire.

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