FIREFIGHTERS FIND APPARENT METH LAB

Explosive Situation

Memphis firefighters called to a house in the Nutbush area Thursday morning
found what appeared to be a methamphetamine lab about to explode.

Federal officials had one man in custody Thursday night and had obtained a
search warrant to seize and destroy what was described as a large, fully
functional methamphetamine lab.

Firefighters who arrived at the home at 4175 Reed near National Cemetery
about 9:15 a.m. saw what appeared to be a vapor spewing from the house.

They entered through a rear window and were greeted with the sharp smell of
ammonia, a component in methamphetamine, police said.

The highly addictive drug - also known as meth, crank, ice or chalk - is
made using readily available ingredients such as pseudoephedrine (found in
cold medicines), hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner and lighter fluid.

In the attic, firefighters found "an apparatus containing a boiling
liquid," according to the search warrant affidavit by DEA task force agent
James Taylor.

Police officers arrived and dismantled the equipment. Among other items,
they found small plastic bags containing methamphet amine residue and pipes
used to smoke the drug, the affidavit said.

DEA agents obtained an order to destroy any chemicals found in the house
because such products have "caused explosions and fires . . . and have
resulted in injuries and health problems," according to the affidavit.

A meth lab exploded last year in a mobile home in Hawkins County in East
Tennessee, killing two men and severely injuring a third.

"It's a very dangerous situation," said Chief Fire Marshal Alvin Benson.
"We have had instances in the past where we've run across (labs)," Benson
said. "We tell the guys to be aware . . . and pull out if necessary."

One man was arrested when he showed up at the house on Reed in possession
of some meth while firefighters were still there, according to the
affidavit. Federal charges are expected today.