Meth lab possible cause of house fire
From Staff Reports

This home on Rural Road was destroyed by fire, possibly caused by a meth lab explosion Monday morning.

Law enforcement officials believe a meth lab explosion may have been the cause of a house fire that destroyed a Rural Road home early Monday.

Byron Edwin Hutchison Jr., 33, of Thomasville, was arrested at the scene of the fire and charged with criminal tampering. He was later also charged with manufacturing a controlled substance and unlawful possession of anhydrous ammonia, which is one of the chemicals used in the making of crystal meth.

In addition, at least three suspects may have been injured in the explosion, two severely.

Officials from the Thomasville Police Department, the Clarke County Sheriff's Department and State of Alabama Fire Marshal's Office have begun an investigation into an explosion at the residence on Rural Road in Thomasville.

Firefighters were alerted to the blaze sometime after 2 a.m. Monday morning. At the same time, officials with the Jackson Police Department learned of two severely burned females who were left in the parking lot of the Shell Station in Jackson, said Leroy Dale, investigator with the Thomasville Police Department.

Under questioning from the Jackson authorities, the two women were found to be related to the explosion at the Rural Road residence.

After questioning the women, Jackson authorities called Thomasville and further investigation of the fire ensued, Dale said.

The women were transported to Jackson Medical Center Emergency Room and then air lifted to University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile.

One is in critical condition with severe burns on at least 65 percent of her body, said Ron Baggett, chief investigator with the Clarke County Sheriff's Department, the other female was also admitted to the USA Hospital with severe burns.

Dale said investigators at the scene found evidence in-andaround the residence of items related to the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Five other as yet unnamed suspects have been charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance and possession of anhydrous ammonia, the investigator said, and they will be arrested at a later time. More charges may be added at a later time.

Another suspect checked into a Mobile hospital also with burns, Baggett said.

The DEA office was contacted, and a hazardous materials cleanup crew from Birmingham arrived at the Thomasville residence.

Officers involved in the ongoing investigation are Dale and Bill Spinks of the Thomasville Police Department, Baggett, and Ken Smith of the State Fire Marshal's Office.

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