A fire that was reported shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Sat., Mar. 1, revealed a possible meth lab in the basement of the home, according to an affidavit for a search warrant approved four days after the blaze by Boardman Court Judge Joseph Houser.
      The home had been purchased by Teresa Dutcher on Jan. 31, 2014.
      Reportedly, her son, Michael Goughenour, 31, had moved into the home only about 12 hours before the fire was reported.
      Lt. James McCreary, of the Boardman Fire Department, said a neighbor told fire officials that Goughenour left the residence prior to fire-fighters arriving on the scene. McCreary also told police he had learned from the Salem Police Department that Goughenour “is known to them to be involved in methamphetamine.”
      Sgt. Michael Hughes, head of the Boardman Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Unit (NEU), learned the fire started in the basement of the home, where police and fire officials found a bottle of Heet, a can of Drain Out, a bottle of muriatic acid, a hot plate, an exhaust fan and venting tubing; coffee filters and two mason jars containing a clear liquid that was believed to be flammable.
      In the affidavit for a search warrant signed by Judge Houser, Det. Michael Dado said “the fire...was the result of a possible meth lab. In the area where the fire started was a plastic jug with a split down its side. Also near the jug was a bottle containing a commercial chemical thought to be used to manufacture methamphetamine...If the jug is not vented properly while manufacturing [the drug], the jug would explode and split down the side.” Dado described this type of meth manufacturing as ‘the one pot method.’
      Dado also said he spoke with Columbiana County Drug Task Force Commander Lt. Brian McGlaughin “who stated the Goughenour is a known methamphetamine manufacturer.”
      As on Mon., Mar. 10, police had been unable to locate Goughenour. They did speak with his mother, Teresa Dutcher.
      “Dutcher inquired if we had made any contact with Michael since this incident. Dutcher wanted to provide us with her information, should we make contact with Michael,” Ptl. Brian Cionni reported.
      A search of the home also turned-up suspected drug paraphernalia and a baggie of pot, Sgt. Hughes said.
      According to a report of the Boardman Fire Department, the fire caused $68,000 damage.