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Woman burned, man arrested after meth lab catches fire

Eyewitness News, Sept 22, 2015

An investigation is underway after a woman was severely burned by a fire that police say was caused when a meth lab ignited inside a Clearwater apartment.

Clearwater police arrested 34-year-old Bryan Dean McDowell, who remained in the Pinellas County Jail early Wednesday on a charge of tampering with physical evidence.

A 32-year-old woman was flown to a hospital after the fire broke out late Tuesday at Turnbury Apartments. Officials say she had second-degree burns over 80 percent of her body. Her name hasn't been released.

Police say the fire was quickly brought under control and no other units were affected. In a news release, police said evidence at the scene and a nearby trash bin indicated illegal drug activity was going on.

The fire marshal's office is investigating.