Possible meth lab explosion concerns Four Oaks community

Neighbors said a woman rented the home at 4680 U.S. Highway 301 South, about 2 miles outside Four Oaks. It's unclear whether it was her body that investigators found in the charred remains of the barn behind the house.

A woman who said her family owns the property declined to comment Monday.

Authorities also are awaiting autopsy results to determine whether the person was killed in the explosion and fire or suffered another cause of death.

The incident and lack of information have prompted intense speculation in the community, which is only compounded by learning that investigators found materials used to make methamphetamine inside the barn.

Beth Hanna-Carr, who owns the Four Oaks RV Park next to the house and barn, said Johnston County deputies told her to evacuate the park Saturday morning as they responded to the explosion.

"They called it a cookhouse," Hanna-Carr said. "We also heard there were things in there that could be used to make meth, so we assumed when they said cookhouse, it meant meth lab."

"To be close to my trailer park really worries me – scares me – in hopes it would never happen again to anyone around here and everything," resident Jeff Cannada said.

People in the Four Oaks area just want some answers from authorities.

"We need to know if the air is safe to breathe. Do we have to worry about are there side-effects for our children?" Hanna-Carr said.

"Hopefully, they will investigate and get down to it and see what happens and take care of all business and put this one behind us and move forward and everything," Cannada said.