Meth lab parts discovered in burning car

By Jessica Cooley in The Lufkin Daily News
Meth lab components were discovered in the charred remains of a vehicle that caught fire outside a North Lufkin home Wednesday morning. When Lufkin Fire arrived on the scene around 10:20 a.m., the car was fully engulfed in flames.

Two men were taken by ambulance to local hospitals with second degree burns, according to Fire Chief Danny Kistner. The men, one with a burned hand and the other, a burned leg, were not forthcoming with their injuries initially.

A narcotics investigator was called out to the scene.

“We’re not sure if they were trying to put fire out or get some of this stuff out when they got burned,” Lufkin Police Lt. David Young said. “We’re not sure if the fire is related to the lab.”

The men’s names are not being released, pending further investigation. Criminal charges could be filed, Young said.

A man who lives at the 407 Everett St. home said the men had been working on the Ford Explorer’s stereo shortly before the blaze.

“We looked outside and saw flames,” Robert Cantu said. “They had been working on the radio so we’re wondering if a wire didn’t get crossed or short out.”