Suspected Index drug house burns suspiciously

Published 11:15 pm Thursday, October 9, 2008

INDEX — A known drug house and suspected methamphetamine lab burned Thursday under what investigators are calling suspicious circumstances.

The 25-foot mobile home on Mount Index Road was fully involved when the Index Fire Department arrived at 2:25 p.m. According to assistant chief Ernie Walters, firefighters could see venting propane tanks and heard small explosions as tanks erupted.

After determining no one was trapped inside, crews were told to allow the structure to burn.

“It was totally involved when we got there, plus it was a possible meth lab and drug area,” Walters said. “We weren’t going to place firefighter lives in jeopardy.”