Ross Linke and Andreas Panas charged after explosion led to drug lab bust in Airbnb house

Two men have been remanded in jail after a $1.4 million Airbnb house on the Esplanade was damaged when a suspected drug laboratory exploded on Sunday.

Two men have been remanded in jail after a $1.4 million Airbnb house on Henley Beach was damaged when a suspected drug laboratory exploded on Sunday.

Renters of short-stay accommodation are at risk of being exposed to the toxic environment left behind by clandestine drug lab operators, police warned.

Firefighters were called to the rented home on the Esplanade after a blaze broke out in a bathroom about 3.15pm.

Two men were seen running out of the property.

Ross Linke, 34, of Hendon, whom a witness said was naked from the waist down, tried to escaped towards the beach but was promptly arrested by police.

Andreas Panas, 32, of Grange, initially ran away but handed himself in to police yesterday morning.

The pair appeared before the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court in the afternoon charged with arson, trafficking and manufacturing a controlled drug, and possessing equipment to make the illicit substance.

Police gathering evidence and dismantling the ice lab that was set up in an Airbnb on the Esplanade, Henley Beach. Picture: Matt Turner

Police prosecutor Brevet Sergeant Jane Lomax told the court Panas rented the Airbnb property in his name and paid for the booking.

She said Panas told a witness outside the beachside house that he had been sleeping before a fire broke out.

Prescribed equipment and illicit drugs were allegedly found inside the property after “some sort of explosion” caused extensive damage to the expensive house, Brev Sgt Lomax told the court.

It is understood the two men are known to police but are not considered to have links to bikie gangs.

Linke did not apply for bail while Panas will face court again on Monday.

Acting officer in charge of SA Police’s Drug and Organised Crime Taskforce, John Martschink, said the equipment being used was sophisticated and said the use of a short stay rental was not unusual and becoming a common trend among drug lab operators.

“It is not a recent trend, it has been going on for a long time,” he said.

“What you have to consider here is the dangers associated with these clandestine drug laboratories.

“Other innocent people could be using premises later not knowing it has taken place. It is a very toxic environment.”

Police are dismantling the ice lab that was set up in an Airbnb at Henley Beach over the weekend. Picture: Simeon Thomas-Wilson

Chief Insp Martschink said those letting their house out on the short stay market, or managing them, should be vigilant for any suspicious behaviour.

He said if people letting out houses through short stay accommodation platforms had suspicions about renters, such as secrecy or insistence on paying cash, they should contact Crimestoppers.

An Airbnb spokesman said they were “deeply upset” by the behaviour and have removed Panas from the platform while cooperating with the police.

Kev Bennett, who has operated a business nearby for five years, said there needed to be more checks on who could use short term rental accommodation. “It is disgusting, absolutely disgusting... it’s not good for the area that’s for sure,” he said.

“I’m not sure what checks are made but they should be a lot more stringent after what has happened here.

“There are a lot of BnBs around this area and they are probably reconsidering their decision I reckon.”