By Sarah Bennett
The News-Enterprise
ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Two Elizabethtown residents face felony drug charges after a mobile home fire Monday morning investigators said could be linked to manufacturing methamphetamine.
Christopher L. Humphrey, 30, and Jennifer Hazelwood, 24, were arrested Monday following interviews with investigators. They each face a charge of manufacturing methamphetamine.
Elizabethtown Fire Department responded at 10:20 a.m. to a structure fire at 1242 Woodland Drive, Lot 8. Upon firefighters’ arrival, flames were showing, fire investigator Rusty Todd said.
Elizabethtown Fire Chief Mike Hulsey said 15 firefighters and three engines responded.
Because there are no fire hydrants in Woodland Mobile Home Park, Hulsey said a tanker from Central Hardin Fire Department also responded.
Fire personnel used 1,000 feet of a large diameter hose to connect to the nearest hydrant on Woodland Drive, the chief said.
Nobody was injured in the fire, and the trailer’s occupant, Clifford Barr Jr., was not home at the time, Todd said. Investigators believe Humphrey and Hazelwood were acquaintances who may have been staying with him temporarily, he said.
Investigators said the investigation is ongoing but confirmed there is a possibility an active meth lab contributed to the fire.
Detective Rob Green of the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force said a black bag containing several meth-related items, such as liquid drain cleaner and tubing, was found in the vicinity of the single-wide trailer.
A witness reported seeing Humphrey and Hazelwood dispose of the bag while leaving the residence, Green said.
Police also found pseudoephedrine and lighter fluid items also used to manufacture meth near the front of the residence, he said.
According to the detective, a preliminary investigation concluded the fire may have originated in the bathroom.
Lithium, a metallic chemical used in manufacturing methamphetamine, ignites if it comes into contact with water, he said.
“That’s not the first fire we’ve had because of this,” he said.
Todd said fire damage was sustained throughout the trailer, which is owned by the Woodland Mobile Home Park.
As firefighters were on the scene, they responded on foot to a second fire in the mobile home park, he said.
Neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from another residence, Todd said. Firefighters discovered it was a kitchen fire, which they contained to the top of the stove and ceiling above it.
No one was injured in the second fire, he said, which appears to have started while the occupant was distracted as they were cooking on the stove.
Though the fires occurred close in location and time, Todd said they were in no way related.
“That’s an unusual occurrence,” he said.
Firefighters were assisted on scene by Hardin County EMS and Elizabethtown Police Department.
Green said more charges may come as officials continue to investigate the fire.
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