High Winds Make It Difficult to Break Down Henderson County Meth Lab
This video is no longer available.
HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Deputies said Thursday’s high winds made it especially dangerous for Narcotics officers in Reagan to safely break down a meth lab found inside of a home, next door to a saw mill. Deputies said the high winds, combustible wood chips and dangerous chemicals from the lab put everyone at risk, until the area was quarantined. “I’ve never been in weather conditions like this with so much stuff blowing in the air,” Capt. Tracey Grisham said. “I mean we are having to fight to keep our eyes open from the sawdust, you name it this is bad.” Officials said the lab was discovered after a tip led officers to investigate. Officials said the homeowner, Johnny Chatham,45, was no where to be found in the area. Narcotics officers told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that having combustible saw dust in the breeze with massive piles of wood chips close to the house, the clean up process was a dangerous one for anyone in the area including trained officers. “We’re trying to get it done as soon as possible before the winds pick up any worse than what they already are,” Narcotics Investigator Stephen Clark said. “Before it poses any danger to the public around us.” “This meth lab, if it were to explode the way meth labs have a tendency to do sometimes with all the sawdust around here… due to the saw mill beside us, it would be a big fire,” said Capt. Grisham. Deputies on the scene said one of their biggest concerns was the potential for toxic fumes to be carried by strong winds. “The winds have obviously picked up from the storm moving in,” Clark said. “It increases the risk significantly I think.” “The fumes alone while this thing is in operation…. the fumes alone the way the wind is today, it could be hazardous for every employee at that saw mill,” Capt. Grisham said. Deputies said they were able to safely quarantine the home, and the area outside is now safe. Officials said the inside of the house will take time to be properly cleaned. Authorities broke down the lab, removed the dangerous chemicals and disposed of them somewhere else. Deputies said Johnny Chatham is wanted on meth related charges. If you have any information about his whereabouts, call the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department at (731) 968-7777.
