Fire at Houlton Garage Uncovers Suspected Meth Lab

A Houlton man has been charged with trafficking in Methamphetamine after a fire Thursday night that destroyed a garage on his property.

The Houlton Fire Department was called to the fire in a garage attached to a home at 5 Johnson Street in Houlton. There was also a report of an explosion before firefighters arrived.  While crews were still working to extinguish the blaze, Houlton Police and agents from MDEA’s Aroostook Task Force responded to investigate the suspected drug activity.

Based upon evidence gathered at the scene of the fire, Maine Drug Enforcement Agents feel they had probable cause to believe that methamphetamine was being manufactured on the property.

Police charged 36-year-old Thomas Lowrey of Houlton with Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs (Methamphetamine) a Class B felony. Lowrey was taken to the Aroostook County Jail and booked. Bail was set at $5000 cash.

Houlton Fire Department was able to keep the fire in the garage from spreading to the home. The origin of the fire remains under investigation.