West Frankfort woman injured after meth lab catches fire - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Crews put out a meth fire in West Frankfort Monday night. But not before 27 year old Kristena Grant was seriously hurt.

It happened at a home on 311 East 4th Street, according to the West Frankfort Fire Department.

A neighbor called 911 shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Monday. When they arrived they found Grant in a back bedroom severely burned and several items in the room on fire.

Police say Grant was using the "shake and bake" method of meth making at her mother's home when it caused and flash fire, catching her and other things in the home on fire.

"My husband and I were sitting in the living room, I was on my computer," said Shirley Brauninger of West Frankfort. She lives across the street for the home where Grant was injured.

"We heard this big explosion! It's been a concern for us for several years because we've suspected there was drug activity over there," said Brauninger. "But we had no proof. There was always people coming and going all hours of the day and night. They would stay like a minute of two then they would be gone."

Grant was airlifted to a St. Louis area hospital with major injuries.

"We've always been very watchful over that house. Because we expected something like this to happen at some point."

Two West Frankfort Firefighters, had to be treated at a local hospital for smoke inhalation and exposure to meth making chemicals.

"I was wondering if we would have to be evacuated or something being the closest house to that house over there," Brauninger said.

The Illinois State Police Meth Lab Response team were called upon to clean up the meth making materials inside the home.

Police say they will be charging Grant with manufacture of methamphetamine.

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