Search Underway For Possibly Armed Suspect After Suspected Drug Lab Explodes In Buena Park

BUENA PARK (CBSLA.com) — A search was underway Sunday in the Buena Park area for a possibly armed suspect after police responded to a suspected drug lab explosion.

Buena Park police were called to the 7700 block of 11th Street to assist the Orange County Fire Authority with reports of an explosion and burn victims.

As first responders arrived on scene, the suspect allegedly pointed a rifle at them, as well as at residents in the area, according to witness accounts.

"An explosion came about. We came out to see the explosion and seconds later there was some guy that came out with a rifle on top of the rooftop, started pointing at anybody," said an unidentified neighbor.

That man says the suspect even pointed the gun at him as well as a woman with kids.

The man said he started running.

A SWAT team has been deployed to the scene, as well as multiple agencies. Residents were urged to stay indoors and lock their doors as the search continues for the wanted individual.

It remains unclear whether the possibly armed suspect was directly connected to the suspected drug lab.

A man has been transported to a hospital with second and third-degree burns on a third of his body. His current condition was unknown.

No officers have been injured.

It was unclear if the burned man and the man with the rifle were connected but both incidents had neighbors concerned.

CBS2/KCAL9 Reporter Erica Nochlin reported from the scene and said the neighborhood remained on lockdown.

Police told neighbors to remain indoors.

She also spoke to neighbors who heard the explosion and captured the fire on cellphone video.

One witness told her of one of the victims.

"We saw a guy coming out," said the witness, "his skin was hanging from his body. We just called 911."

"I thought a plane landed," said another woman, "I thought a plane had landed. There was this huge impact and I was just in shock."