THE son of West Australian police commissioner Karl O'Callaghan has been charged with a drug offence as he recovers in hospital from burns sustained in the explosion of a clandestine lab.
Russell O'Callaghan suffered burns to his head, torso and arms on Sunday night when the clandestine drug lab at a unit in the south Perth suburb of Carlisle exploded.
The 29-year-old was one of five adults injured as a result of the blast while two children, aged three and four, escaped unscathed.
O'Callaghan and 28-year-old Jason Marzoli, who is also in hospital, have been charged with one count each of attempting to manufacture a prohibited drug.
Yesterday the Police Commissioner said he would appoint a senior officer to oversee the investigation into the incident and he would keep his distance from the inquiry.