Officials identify Norton man who died after apparent meth lab explosion at apartment

NORTON, Mass. — A man died Saturday morning after police said the apartment he was in exploded from a meth lab operation.

Edward Rooney, 38, was identified as the man who died, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

Norton Police and Fire departments responded to 3 Faith Way just before 1 a.m. on Saturday for a report of an explosion. When they arrived, they found an empty apartment with damage from what looked like an explosion from a meth lab operation, police said in a statement. There was no fire in the apartment when officials arrived.

Police said they believed Rooney fled the scene in a vehicle before officials arrived. They notified area towns of Rooney’s car, and checked with area hospitals.

Shortly after, Attleboro Police and Fire personnel responded to a residence on Pike Avenue after residents called 911, reporting a man in need of help. Officials said the residents were woken by Rooney screaming outside for help. They allowed Rooney in their home and he collapsed, officials said.

Rooney was rushed to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro where he died at 2:38 a.m.

Officials said that all residents in the same apartment building at 3 Faith Way in Norton were evacuated to a nearby community center.

Crews were on scene mitigating additional chemicals and residue. No one else was injured in the incident, which is under investigation.

The medical examiner’s office will perform an autopsy, officials said.

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