Christopher Nathaniel Goodspeed, 27, is charged with manufacturing Schedule II (meth), promotion of meth manufacture, possessing a prohibited device and 16 counts of reckless endangerment after the Monday evening fire at 320 Country Club Drive.
The apartment complex sits on the city/county border behind Bradley Central High School.
According to reports from the Cleveland Fire Department, emergency personnel responded to the apartments around 9 p.m., where a fire was reported in unit No. 8. They discovered fire had traveled upward into apartments above the unit and eventually into the attic area.
According to Bob Gault, media relations coordinator for the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office, as Cleveland Fire and Arson Investigator Benny Atchley began his investigation, he learned Goodspeed reportedly left the complex “not warning” any of the other occupants of the fire in his apartment.
Goodspeed had reportedly been utilizing the “one-pot method” to manufacture methamphetamine when the chemicals flashed, burning his arms and hands and setting the bathroom on fire. Gault and Cleveland Fire Chief Steve Haun said Goodspeed attempted to use a blanket to put out the fire. Goodspeed then left the apartment to go to a relative’s residence and eventually to SkyRidge Medical Center where officials at the hospital notified investigators of an alleged victim of the fire at the apartment complex.
Goodspeed was taken into custody after treatment.
According to reports from CFD, 16 families were displaced and the Hiwassee Chapter of the American Red Cross is aiding them.
Damage and loss to the apartment complex was listed at nearly $1 million.
Gault said Goodspeed is being held under no bond on the manufacturing, promotion and device charges and was given $80,000 bond on the 16 counts of reckless endangerment charges.
