Fire reveals suspected meth lab

BIG LAKE -- A frayed extension cord apparently led to a Sept. 3 shed fire that revealed a suspected methamphetamine lab, Alaska State Troopers said.

The Big Lake Fire Department responded to the early morning fire in a storage shed behind a Halston Avenue residence. When firefighters noticed suspicious remains among burning debris, they called the Alaska Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Enforcement at 3:20 a.m.

The shed contained several containers of Heet, a hot plate, several metal gallon containers and a pseudoephedrine blister pack, according to troopers.

The shed, which was used to store some household items, was heated by a small electrical heater. Power cords from the main house to the shed's heater apparently malfunctioned and sparked the blaze, troopers said.

No one was arrested, although troopers and the drug unit are continuing to investigate.

The shed and contents were a complete loss. The name of the occupant of the house has not been released.

It was the second alleged meth lab discovery in two days last week for the Valley drug team. On Sept. 4, a citizen tip led to the arrest of four people at a Wasilla-area residence where troopers said a lab was operating in the basement. Five children ages 8 and under were put into foster care as the result of that bust.

Police often get tips from employees at local stores who notice large purchases of substances such as the gasoline additive Heet and Sudafed. Local law enforcement agencies occasionally hold educational meeting for retailers to acquaint them with what to look for.

"Clerks around the Valley are really on the ball," said Wasilla Police investigator Angela Long, a member of the drug team.

For example, a clerk at the Wasilla Carrs store called Wasilla Police Tuesday to report he had caught a 15-year-old boy shoplifting seven boxes of Sudafed containing 180 pills. The boy told police he had a cold and was "stock piling" a supply of Sudafed. He was released to his mother, and a report will be filed with Mat-Su Youth Facility.

Investigation of the Big Lake fire and suspected lab site was conducted with help from Alaska State Troopers from Palmer. The Valley drug team consists of personnel from the troopers' office, Palmer Police Department and Wasilla Police Department. The team also receives funding from the U.S. Department of Justice.