Second explosion in 6 months at home

SEMINOLE, Ala. - A medical assistance call quickly turned into a meth lab explosion investigation in Baldwin County.

It happened around 10:00 Wednesday night, at a mobile home on Mitchell Lane in the Seminole community.

Deputies say by the time they got the call to investigate, the suspect, Tony Mitchell, was being Life Flighted to USA Hospital with second and third degree burns. Firefighters were extinguishing the fire as they pulled up.

"The fire was a result of a narcotics manufacturing operation," said Baldwin County Sheriff Huey "Hoss" Mack.

A search warrant was obtained, and the Baldwin County Drug Task Force started their investigation.

The search warrant revealed numerous bottles, hoses, jars, cooking devices, camp fuel, lithium batteries, drain cleaner, and fertilizer. Investigators also found a sawed-off shotgun and a .22 rifle.

Field tests of a liquid found in the scene tested positive for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine residue was also found in several hoses that were present.

This is the second call to this address in less than six months.

"No one was charged in the first incidence. The case was still under investigation. Of course, we do expect charges to be the result of this investigation," said Mack.

Mitchell was driven to Baptist Hospital by a personal vehicle and flown to USA for similar burns on that occasion. That fire however, completely consumed the mobile home, destroying any possible evidence.