WASHINGTON —
A fire that destroyed a house on CR 300S Wednesday was caused by a methamphetamine lab malfunction.
Chris Spalding, 43, the home’s occupant, admitted to Daviess County Sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Bill Dougherty that he had a mix-up in his meth lab. He told the detective he ran out of the house after the explosion and went into hiding at a Pike County residence.
“He was doing a one-pot cook and had a bad reaction,” Dougherty said. “It actually exploded in front of him.”
The detective estimated about 30 percent of Spalding’s skin was burned.
Immediately following the fire, it was unknown if Spalding was inside the home when it burned. At the scene, his sister, Denitra Spalding, said the family couldn’t find anyone who’d had contact with him since 10 or 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. She said his phone company was contacted to track his phone, but it was either off or destroyed in the fire. Both of his vehicles were home, according to family members. Around 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Spalding called his brother, Brian Spalding, from a phone with a blocked number to let him know he was alive.
“He wouldn’t tell anyone where he was at,” Dougherty said.
A sheriff’s department news release on Thursday stated that meth lab materials were located at the scene of the fire. Dougherty said investigators found stripped lithium battery casings and pseudophedrine blister packs in the rubble, so a search warrant was secured for the rest of the property. Once the warrant arrived, finished product and lab paraphernalia were found elsewhere on the property. The Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Lab Team was contacted to assist in processing and cleanup of the lab material.
Spalding was located at the Pike County residence late Wednesday evening.
“I had a tip, followed up on it, and it led to a residence in Pike County,” Dougherty said.
Pike County EMS personnel were contacted to transport Spalding to a hospital, but when they arrived, they determined he needed to be airlifted directly to a burn unit, Dougherty said. Originally, the plan was to fly him to Wishard Hospital in Indianapolis, he explained, but because of air currents, they took him to the University of Louisville Hospital burn unit instead.
“They were worried about infection setting in,” Dougherty said, adding that Spalding’s burns had received no attention since they occurred.
The fire started at approximately 3 a.m. The neighbor reportedly heard an explosion and when he looked outside, the house was engulfed in flames, so he called it in. Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tony Wichman said firefighters had the blaze under control by 3:30 a.m. He said the roof collapsed, knocking everything into the basement.
Spalding told Dougherty he was alone at the time of the explosion. Criminal charges will be pending.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The home of Chris Spalding, 1938W 300S, destroyed in a fire at around 3 a.m. Wednesday. No one was injured, but the homeowner was not found until later. Photo by Kelly Overton
Related Links
Discussion
Meth lab malfunction blamed for Wednesday fire
- Local News
-
-
Pierce named B-R Homecoming Queen
Rebekah Pierce, daughter of Russell and Beth Pierce of Washington, was crowned 2012 Homecoming Queen at Barr-Reeve High School on Friday.
-
ND crowns Steffey, McAtee
Anthony Steffey, son of Jim and Bridgette Steffey, and Shelby McAtee, daughter of Ron and Lynn Cox, were crowned Homecoming King and Queen at North Daviess High School on Friday.
-
Car causes garage fire on Edwardsport Road
A car caught fire at the home belonging to Robert Wichman at 5295N 100W.
-
Washington native on short list for Indiana Supreme Court
Washington native the Honorable Maria D. Granger is one of 15 under consideration to fill a vacancy on the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Several arrested after search warrant was issued
A search warrant was executed by city police Wednesday morning at 506 S.W. Sixth St., and several people were arrested.
-
Washington man part of Super Bowl commercial
While some see the Super Bowl as just a football game, Washington resident Gene Wood sees it as a source of revenue. That’s because the 87-year-old is currently being featured in a national commercial for Visa centered around the Super Bowl.
-
Woman rescued from high water on Old Vincennes Road
Daviess County Sheriff’s deputies rescued a Vincennes woman from flood waters early Tuesday on Old Vincennes Road.
-
Mayor and city council get to work
Washington Mayor Joe Wellman gave a brief report at Monday’s city council meeting.
-
2 Winslow residents arrested after home was burglarized
Indiana State Police launched a criminal investigation after receiving information earlier this month that a Winslow couple had their home burglarized and several pieces of property stolen while they were sleeping.
-
Crane braces from fallout from military cuts
The 5,000 people who work at southwestern Indiana’s Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center are bracing for possible fallout from a nearly $500 billion reduction in military spending spread over the next decade.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
