Meth chemicals suspected in Mo. fire

Small fire was contained to bathroom where suspects allegedly attempted to dispose of meth chemicals

March 28, 2012 05:41 AM

The Columbia Daily Tribune

COLUMBIA, Mo. — An apparent attempt to dispose of methamphetamine chemicals during a police visit early Tuesday morning resulted in a trailer fire, police said.

Three men were arrested as a result of the fire at 1501 Vandiver Drive, Lot 103, Officer Latisha Stroer said. No injuries were reported.

An officer was visiting the residence because he suspected drug activity after responding to the same address recently for a drug overdose. The officer smelled methamphetamine chemicals while speaking with one of the residents and heard several banging sounds from inside the trailer, Stroer said. Three men ran from the trailer after three bangs, and smoke begin to pour out of the residence, she said.

Columbia firefighters were called to the scene. The small fire was contained to a bathroom where the suspects allegedly attempted to dispose of meth chemicals, Stroer said. An executed search warrant at the trailer revealed evidence of meth production, she said.

Each of the three suspects was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing of a controlled substance. They are David L. House, 46; Beau T. Leach, 30; and Christopher M. Houston, 36.

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