Two Fires Linked to Meth Labs

Franklin County investigators responded to two fires last week that were sparked by illegal methamphetamine labs.

Three to four tenants at the Lone Pines Motel east of Stanton had to be evacuated early Thursday, Aug. 16, when a fire broke out in one of the rooms, according to Detective Cpl. Scott Briggs with the Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit.

Briggs said meth lab components hidden in a crawl space under the room were the source of the fire. Investigators also found a one-pot meth lab in a freezer in the room.

Briggs said a man staying in the room was located later. He was booked and released. Briggs said investigators will be seeking charges against the suspect after evidence has been analyzed by the Missouri Highway Patrol lab.

The motel, located on the north I-44 Service Road, was condemned as “unlivable” by the county and fire department and will have to be decontaminated and repaired, Briggs said.

Earlier in the week, firefighters and investigators responded to a fire at a vacant farmhouse off Decker Road in the Labadie area, Briggs said.

Jim Schuhmacher, county arson investigator, said he found evidence that a one-pot meth lab started the fire.

Briggs said the drug task force is still seeking to locate suspects in that incident.