CullmanTimes.com - Cullman, Alabama

Top News

Related Photos

  • 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

    methlab1.jpg

Discussion

November 11, 2009

Police: Meth lab causes fire in city apartments

By Trent Moore The Cullman Times

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.

Text Only
Top News
  • NARCOG board stalls in effort to revise bylaws

    No action was taken on the revisions of the North-central Alabama Regional Council of Government’s (NARCOG) bylaws during an emergency meeting Friday morning.

    February 4, 2012

  • FAA bill should provide airport funding for next 4 years

    A new federal bill should provide a stable source of funding for airports nationwide, and local officials are excited about what it could mean for the Cullman Regional Airport.

    February 4, 2012

  • County commission moves to resolve chronic water issue at Harmony School

    The Cullman County Commission signed off on a pair of upgrades to the county’s water infrastructure at its regular meeting, both intended to finally solve a chronic lack of adequate water pressure at Harmony School.

    February 3, 2012

  • audi.jpg Sneak peek at this year's hottest Super Bowl ads

    The Super Bowl is a must-watch TV event, if not for the outcome of the biggest football game of the year, then at least for the multi-million dollar commercials that run throughout. And this year’s buzzworthy spots include celebrity appearances, homages to movies and lots of humor.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • Jerry Waters Waters enters race for circuit clerk as Democrat

    Local businessman and lifelong Cullman County resident Jerry Mack Waters has announced he will seek the office of Cullman County circuit clerk as the Democratic nominee in the November general election.

    February 3, 2012 1 Photo

  • NARCOG to revisit bylaws, address personnel issue

    An emergency meeting is scheduled this morning at the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments office in Decatur to discuss the revision of the organization’s bylaws and a personnel issue.

    February 3, 2012

  • WSCC breaks ground on new nursing center ‘Crown jewel’: WSCC breaks ground on new nursing center

    Not even a tornado that wrecked nearly half the buildings on campus could keep Wallace State down for long.

    February 2, 2012 2 Photos

  • Steve Cummings Cummings enters race for circuit clerk

    Local businessman Steve Cummings has announced he will seek the Republican nomination for Cullman County circuit clerk in the March 13 primary election.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • City to form 10-year plan Good Hope embarks on effort to form 10-year plan

    The city of Good Hope has three months to form a clearer picture of what it wants to become over the next 10 years.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo

  • ‘One person at a time’ ‘One person at a time’

    As the old adage goes: Every vote counts. The Cullman County Board of Education kicked off the first of a dozen community meetings about the proposed countywide half-cent sales tax for education Tuesday night to a relatively sparse crowd at the central office.

    February 2, 2012 1 Photo