June 20, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2006-29) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org METH LAB FIRE CLAIMS ONE LIFE Firefighters from Mobile Fire-Rescue Department and Theodore Tillmans Corner Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire early Tuesday Morning, June 20, 2006 at Delta Self Storage located at 5500 Schillinger Road, South. A passerby reported the fire on a cell phone at approximately 2:08 a.m. When Mobile Firefighters arrived on the scene they reported heavy smoke and fire coming from near the back of the complex. Firefighters were hampered from fighting the fire because each unit is individually locked. As firefighters began to cut locks and cut through the doors on each unit they discovered a badly burned body which appeared to be a male subject near the area of the fire origin. It appeared the victim was attempting to escape but was unable due to the fact the unit was locked from the outside. Approximately 20-30 storage units received fire and/or smoke damage. It took a little over an hour for firefighters to extinguish the fire. Upon investigation Mobile Fire and Police investigators discovered what is believed to be a meth lab in the storage unit where the victim was found. According to a statement from the victim's ex-wife, she locked him in the storage unit shortly after midnight so he could produce meth. Apparently the lab ignited starting the fire and killing the victim. The name is being withheld until positive ID can be established. No damage estimate is available at this time. Engine 6, 7, 19, truck 5, rescue 7 and District 2 Chief Randy Smith and Theodore Tillman's Corner VFD responded to the call. Mobile Fire-Rescue and Mobile Police are jointly investigating the fire. ###