Story - The Meade County Messenger


Vol. 119. No.15	APRIL 14 , 2010

Meth lab fuels Flaherty fire

A suspected meth lab located in a rental residence at 6861 Flaherty Road in Vine Grove is being blamed for a three-alarm fire early Wednesday morning, April 7.

The person living in the residence, James Strasshofer, was arrested by Muldraugh City Police Chief John Stinebruner on unrelated charges.

Stinebruner said Strasshofer was arrested for speeding, running a red light, fleeing and eluding and carrying a concealed weapon.

After his arrest, he was lodged in the Meade County Jail, where Kentucky State Police Detective Ron Eckert and Sgt. Corey Knuckles interviewed him.

Det. Eckert said they were called to the fire scene on the suspicion of a meth lab there.

“When we arrived, we found there were some items which could be used to make meth,” he said. He confirmed Strasshofer was arrested in Muldraugh.

“He did suffer some burn injuries and our reports will be given at the next convening of the Meade County Grand Jury,” Eckert said. “We will have to wait for the grand jury to come forth with a recommendation on a charge of manufacture of methamphetamine.”

Flaherty Fire Chief Alan Sipes said when firefighters arrived at the scene, the fire was already through the roof of the structure, owned by Dino Mars who was vacationing in Florida.

“He got a rude awakening,” Sipes said. “We initially attempted to knock the fire down, but then we discovered what was a suspected meth lab and we called the Meade County Sheriff’s Department and the Kentucky State Police and turned it (the investigation) over to them.”

Flaherty firefighters were assisted at the 5:06 a.m. blaze by firefighters from Ekron and Vine Grove, as well as crews from the Meade County EMS.

“No one was taken to the hospital, but we are going to file a report with the state that we were dealing with hazardous materials,” Sipes said.

All firefighters were wearing protective clothing during the incident, Sipes said, doubting any of the materials used for making meth seeped onto their skin.

“At least we have something documented if something came of it,” Sipes said, of the state paperwork.
Firefighters cleared the scene of the fire about 10:05 a.m., Sipes said, adding it took so long due to the work involved in clean-up.

“If it hadn’t been for the meth part, we would have cleared (the scene) a lot earlier. We had to stay outside and fight (the fire).”

“We were not going to take any chances,” Sipes continued. “I don’t want to get people hurt when we are trying to save a building. We did get (the fire) knocked down on the building but we couldn’t go in it.”

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