4 charged after meth lab started fire

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) - Portage police have charged four people in connection with a January apartment fire that investigators say was started by a methamphetamine lab.

One person was hurt in the Jan. 4 fire at Briargate Apartments. The ceiling collapsed in the apartment where the meth lab caught fire, and flames spread to the attic and adjoining apartment. Forty-three people were displaced.

The residents of the apartments, Angela and Ryan Diemond, along with two others now face various meth charges:

• Angela Diemond, 28, was charged with maintaining a drug house
• Ryan Diemond, 31,was charged with maintaining a drug house and operating a meth lab
• John Shank, 43, of Kalamazoo was charged with operating a meth lab
• Eric Harris, 42, Colon was charged with operating a meth lab

Ryan Diemond was paroled in October 2011, he is now back in prison on a parole violation. He was originally sentenced in 2010 to prison for 2008 charges of maintaining a drug house, possession of meth and unarmed robbery.

Shank is already serving five to 20 years in prison for operating/maintaining a meth lab and a third-offense operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated - under the influence. He was sentenced on these crimes this month, but the crimes were committed in 2011 and 2012.