Meth lab may’ve caused Perry explosion

Authorities suspect illegal drug activity may have caused a home to explode this morning in the central Iowa town of Perry. Two men were inside the house, which was flattened. Both men were badly burned and were airlifted to Des Moines and then to a burn unit in Iowa City. Perry police say a methamphetamine lab may have been the cause of the blast as neighbors had complained of the smell of ether. One of the injured is now identified as Mike Pollis. The Perry Police Department and the state Fire Marshal’s office are investigating.