Cedar Lake Man Charged After House Fire Reveals Meth Lab
Cedar Lake – A Cedar Lake man is facing multiple felony charges after an early morning house fire led investigators to uncover a methamphetamine operation inside his home.
On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, around 3:30 a.m., Southcom Dispatch received a 911 call from Kenneth Miller, 44, of the 13500 block of Dewey Street. Miller reported that he had accidentally set fire to his residence with a bottle of flammable material that “spontaneously combusted.” He then disconnected the call and left the scene in his vehicle.
Cedar Lake firefighters and police arrived to find the home on fire. Crews quickly extinguished the blaze with help from assisting departments. However, the unusual circumstances prompted a call to the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office and further investigation by Deputy Police Chief Carl Brittingham.
Miller was later located in Crown Point and brought in for questioning. During an interview, he admitted to “messing with flammable fluids” and other materials that crystallized in a jar, which broke and caused the fire. He consented to a search of the home.
Inside, investigators found items consistent with methamphetamine manufacturing. The search was halted until a warrant was obtained, and the Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Team was called in. A thorough search confirmed the presence of meth lab materials, which were removed from the residence. The home, heavily damaged by fire in the living room, was boarded up and will require specialized cleanup before being habitable again.
Following the investigation, prosecutors filed charges against Miller, including:
- Attempted Manufacturing Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony)
- Manufacturing Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony)
- Possession of Chemical Reagents or Precursors with Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (Level 6 Felony)
- Criminal Recklessness (A Misdemeanor)
A warrant was issued, and Miller was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail on Wednesday.
