Dexter man could face drug charges after catching on fire

SIKESTON, Mo. -- When a Dexter, Missouri, man finally gets out of the hospital, he is likely to face drug charges.

About 8:30 p.m. Monday, the Sikeston Department of Public Safety received a call about a man on fire in front of Wal-Mart. The caller speculated this was a result of a traffic accident.

"[Officers] arrived and found a white male on the southbound side of the road," said Capt. Bill Mygatt of the department. "This guy was screaming in pain, had some skin hanging."

Witnesses reported seeing a small red car with an explosion inside.

During the investigation, it was learned the cause was "a 'shake-and-bake' meth lab that exploded and caught on fire," said Capt. Jim McMillen, the department's public information officer. "So [the driver and passengers] kicked him out of the car as he was on fire and left the scene."

One witness had to be decontaminated after the man who was on fire "was in a panic and gave him a bear hug," Mygatt said.

The burn victim, who is reported to have received second- and third-degree burns over 50 percent of his body, was taken by air ambulance first to a Cape Girardeau hospital to be stabilized and then to a burn center in St. Louis, according to Mygatt.

Methamphetamine was recovered by investigators at the scene, which reportedly belonged the burned man, Mygatt said.

"A witness reported seeing him throw it down," he added.

Mygatt said the department is likely to file charges before the man is able to be discharged from the hospital.

Pertinent address:

1303 S. Main St., Sikeston, Mo.