Kershaw County deputies charge two after meth lab causes house fire

A house fire led to the discovery of a meth lab and the arrest of two people early Friday morning, according to Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office officials.

Sheriff Jim Matthews said 27-year-old Katrina Severson and 25-year-old Andrew Wells have been charged with manufacturing methamphetamine in connection with the meth lab discovery.

Matthews said that firefighters responded to a house fire in the 500 block of Railgate Loop in Lugoff just after 1 a.m. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and found items they believed to be associated with manufacturing methamphetamine.

Firefighters cleared the scene and called in Kershaw County narcotics investigators, Matthews said.

After obtaining a written consent to enter the home, Matthews said investigators discovered and seized numerous precursor chemicals and equipment used in methamphetamine manufacturing, as well as a small amount of methamphetamine. Investigators also found equipment that had apparently failed and caused the ensuing fire.

The fire caused minimal damage to the home, but Matthews said a hazardous materials cleanup crew was called to the scene to remove the contaminated equipment.

Matthews said Severson and Wells were arrested at the scene and transported to the Kershaw County Detention Center where they are awaiting a bond hearing.

Wells has no previous arrest record, while Severson has previously been charged with traffic and DUI offenses, Matthews said.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 2:34 PM with the headline "Kershaw County deputies charge two after meth lab causes house fire."