North Corbin fire connected with meth lab, officials say

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies went to a fire in North Corbin Thursday morning and found a meth lab along with two children, ages 8 and 11.

According to Sheriff John Root, Deputy Chuck Johnson and West Knox Firefighters were called to 91 Kentucky Family Drive off of Adams Road about 1:33 a.m.

Root said the caller told dispatchers that her brother and two females had set her trailer on fire and left the residence.
West Knox Firefighters extinguished the blaze, limiting damage to the bathroom.

Johnson reported finding a length of metal tubing that was attached to a partially melted plastic bottle cap, leading him to suspect a meth lab had been the cause of the fire.

Upon further investigation, Johnson discovered a partially burned blanket that contained several components used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Johnson found the caller’s brother, William R. Whittle, 39, in the bedroom. Whittle was arrested on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and first-degree controlled substance and lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center

The two females have not yet been identified, but Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said they are wanted for questioning in the incident.

Deputy Sgt. Daryl Zanet, deputies Robb Mitchell and Jerry Jones and Laurel County Department of Safety officer Albert Hale assisted at the scene.