3 Held on Drug Charges After Kitchen Explosion
Three people were arrested Monday on suspicion of possessing and manufacturing methamphetamine after a chemical explosion in the kitchen of a Covina apartment caused a small fire.
The suspects were identified as Karen Elizabeth Espey, 29; Edward Wallace Simmons, 38, and Elvin Dean Moody, 31. They are expected to be arraigned today in Citrus Municipal Court.
Espey apparently was mixing chemicals when the explosion occurred on East Rowland Avenue about 1 a.m., Police Lt. Dan Alvarez said. Covina firefighters extinguished the fire in about 30 minutes. Damage was estimated at $20,000.
A Los Angeles County Fire Department hazardous materials team assisted in disposing of two 55-gallon drums containing chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine, commonly called speed. The state Bureau of Narcotics was called in to identify other materials which included acetone, super glue, iodine and lighter fluid discovered in a small storage room.
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