Two arrested after Clermont house fire leads to discovery of meth lab

CLERMONT, Fla. — Police in Clermont said a man and a woman were arrested after a house fire lead to the discovery of a meth lab early Saturday morning.

Emergency crews responded to reports of a house fire at 1047 Desoto Street around 1:15 a.m. Once of scene, smoke could be seen coming from the home, officials said.

The residents of the home, 32-year-old Allen Arnold and 27-year-old Summer Richardson, were located outside of the house with their four children. According to police, Arnold was covered in blood and had suffered multiple cuts on his arms and face.

Arnold told firefighters he was injured when he smashed a window trying to extinguish the fire, police said. Furthermore, Arnold stated the fire could have started in the air conditioning unit.

Officials said fire investigators quickly noticed suspicious conditions at the home, including a lot of gas and chemical canisters. Additionally, a blood trail led police to a shed in the backyard where evidence of a meth lab was found.

After being questioned, police said Arnold admitted that they have been recently trying to make meth inside the home, which resulted in an explosion that led to the early morning fire.

Investigators said all four of the couple's children were home at the time of the fire. The children were turned over to their grandmother and the Department of Children and Families was notified.

Both Arnold and Richardson were booked into the Lake County jail on multiple charges, including manufacturing meth.

WFTV