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Police: Meth lab causes fire in city apartments
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Members of Cullman County HAZMAT investigate an alleged meth lab Tuesday evening at Speegle Village Apartments in Cullman. Two men were arrested at the scene. Trent Moore
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CULLMAN — Two men are behind bars after a meth lab caused a fire at a city apartment complex late Tuesday evening.
Cullman residents Mark Allen Meherg, 39, and Joshua Blake McAlpine, 25, were arrested by city police for unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in the first degree. Both men were also charged with arson in the third degree and for attempting to commit a controlled substance crime.
The meth lab was initially discovered at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday at Speegle Village Apartments during a routine patrol by the Cullman Police Department.
“Basically, officer Chris Nichols drove by and observed smoke coming from the apartment window,” Cullman Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) agent Gene Bates said. “There was a strong chemical odor in the air and officer Nichols became suspicious a meth lab may have caught fire. It’s a credit to officer Nichols, because his experience gave him the insight to quickly realize what was going on.”
Bates said he was unsure exactly how the front window of the apartment was broken, as the fire appeared to be contained to the bathroom, where the meth lab had been active.
“It seems like the (suspects) may have just panicked and broke it,” he said.
Police detained and questioned Meherg, the apartment’s resident, before discovering McAlpine was also inside.
“The officer on the scene learned a second person was in the room,” Bates said. “[McAlpine] locked the door and came around ... He was a visitor at the house when the incident happened.”
Once the officer on scene contacted CNET and Cullman Fire and Rescue, Bates said CNET agents and Cullman County HAZMAT members entered the apartment wearing protective equipment.
“Once we were in, we found evidence of where they had been manufacturing methamphetamines,” he said.
One of Meherg’s neighbors, Bobby White, said Meherg tried to blame the fire on a broken television when police first arrived.
“At first, he said his TV had sparked up and started the fire,” White said. “There was a bunch of smoke billowing out of the apartment.”
Both Meherg and McAlpine are being held at the Cullman County Detention Center on $1 million bond.
Unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance is a Class A felony, punishable by up to life in prison.
Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.
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