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Meth lab blamed for home explosion A residence in Thomasville was destroyed early Monday morning from an explosion authorities believe came from a meth lab. In addition, at least three suspects may have been injured in the explosion, two severely. Officials from the Thomasville Police Department, the Clarke County Sheriff's Department and State of Alabama Fire Marshal's Office have begun an investigation into the explosion at a residence on Rural Road in Thomasville. Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at 2 or 2:30 Monday morning. At the same time, officials with the Jackson Police Department learned of two severely burned females who were left in the parking lot of the Shell Station in Jackson, said Ron Baggette, chief investigator with the sheriff's department. The two females were found to be related to the explosion at the Rural Road residence, and they were transported to Jackson Medical Center Emergency Room and then air lifted to University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile. One of the females is in critical condition with severe burns on at least 65 percent of her body, he said, and the other female was also admitted to the USA Hospital with severe burns. Investigators at the scene of the explosion found evidence inand around the residence of items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, Baggette said. An arrest was made Monday morning of Byron Edwin Hutchison Jr., 33, of Thomasville, at the scene of the fire for criminal tampering. Later he was charged with manufacturing a controlled substance and unlawful possession of anhydrous ammonia, which is one of the chemicals used in the making of crystal meth. Five others, currently unnamed have been charged with manufacturing of a controlled substance and possession of anhydrous ammonia, the investigator said, and they will be arrested at a later time. More charges may be added at that time. Another suspect checked into a Mobile hospital also with burns, Baggette said. The DEA office was contacted, and a hazardous materials cleanup crew from Birmingham arrived at the Thomasville residence.
Officers involved in the ongoing investigation are Baggette, investigators Leroy Dale and Bill Spinks of the Thomasville Police Department and Ken Smith of the State Fire Marshal's Office.
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