Man Admits Causing Meth Lab Explosion That Injured 6

A Bethlehem man pleaded guilty Tuesday to causing a meth lab explosion that injured six people and destroyed a home in the northeast section of the city in March, according to published reports.

Daniel J. Houser, 39, will serve at least four and a half and up to 11 years in a state prison, according to The Morning Call. The sentence was handed down by Northampton County Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden after Houser pleaded guilty to operating a methamphetamine lab, causing a catastrophe and reckless endangerment.

The methamphetamine lab at 1965 Greenleaf St. exploded and caught fire on March 8 at about 3 a.m., about three hours before Bethlehem police planned to serve a search warrant at the house after a two-month investigation into meth sales in the area.

Six people—including two police officers—were hurt in the blast and subsequent fire, though none of the injuries were serious.

Besides Houser, three others were also charged with helping to run the lab:

• Elaine Noone, 65, the home’s owner.
• Jeffrey Caulfield, 28, of Bethlehem.
• Davina Bowler, 39, of Palmer Township.

Last week, District Judge James Narlesky ruled there was enough evidence to send Noone and Caulfield to trial, while Bowler and Houser both waived their right to preliminary hearings, according to The Express Times.

Before the hearing began, Houser told Narlesky that he acted alone in cooking methamphetamine in the house and that Noone had no idea what was going on, the newspaper reported. Narlesky said he did not consider that statement because Houser was not under oath when he made it.