Firefighters find guns, drugs and money while battling blaze | News

MEMPHIS, TN - (WMC-TV) – Firefighters found plenty of flames Wednesday inside a house on Applegate Road in Whitehaven.  But they say they also discovered a stash of guns, ammo, drugs, and cash. And Friday, the man who lives at the home, is headed to court.

"I had no idea," said one neighbor.

More than one neighbor had the same reaction.

"I think it's a mistake," said Warren Johnson.

Memphis Police say it was no mistake because 29-year-old George Williams admitted the items were his.

"He was so good with his kids," said one neighbor.  "I feel bad about that."

Fire burned through a hole in the ceiling in the garage.  But it was a hole under the attic inside through which police say the guns, drugs, and money fell.

According to an affidavit, the stash included 2.4 pounds of pot, 5 handguns, 178 Hydrocodone pills, and a little more than $7000 cash.  Some of it was packed into black garbage bags.

Police say they also found digital scales and other suspicious items throughout the house.

Neighbors like Warren Johnson only knew Williams as a mechanic.

"He works on cars and keeps to himself," said Johnson.  "He's just a family guy."

The fire that led to the bust may have started on a mattress.

George Williams was treated for burns on his hands before he was arrested on drug and weapons charges.  His bond is set at $100,000.

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