Sussex explosion and fire investigated as a possible drug crime

Six people have been forced from their home after a small explosion and fire Friday night in Sussex, New Brunswick.

The Canadian Red Cross says disaster volunteers were dispatched to 121 Church Avenue after the fire broke out around 11 p.m.

In a release, Canadian Red Cross spokesman Dan Bedell said six people lived in the house which contained two apartments.

He said two adults who lived in the unit where the explosion and fire began were taken to hospital. TheSoutheast District RCMP said the two 23-year-old menhad severe burns to their hands and one apartment in the building was extensively damaged.

Canadian Red Cross volunteers are helping a couple, their five-year-old and infant sons from the other unit with food, clothing and a place to stay.

RCMP Sgt. Dale Morgan said the Mounties'clandestine lab experts were called in, investigating the possibility the explosion mightlinked to the production of illegal drugs.

"There are items there that are of suspicion to us at this time. So we've asked that our clandestine lab people come in and attend the scene with us and help determine the nature of the items," he said.

He said several objects were seized that are related to the production of illegal drugs. Mounties could not say what type of drug production they suspect.

Morgan did not know if the two men were tenants of the building.

"I don't know if they're the full time residents ornot, but the two individuals that went to hospital, the last update we had, is that there are severe burns to their hands," he said.

RCMP were alsoinvestigating reports of suspicious activity near the apartment building immediately after the explosion.