PRINCETON-A city man plead guilty Wednesday in Gibson Superior Court to making and possessing illegal drugs, stemming from an investigation into a March 2006 structure fire .

In court, Joseph L. Bailey, 42, of Princeton, admitted to manufacturing meth, a Class B felony, and possession of meth, a Class D felony in connection to the fire that was apparently sparked as the suspect was making meth.

According to Gibson County Prosecutor Rob Krieg, Bailey told the court that he had set the mobile home, and himself, on fire while cooking meth.

In March 2006, the Princeton Fire Territory responded to a mobile home fire on Stagecoach Road. Firefighters found many substances commonly used to make meth both inside and outside of the structure, including coffee filters, stripped lithium batteries, anhydrous ammonia and camping fuel.

Investigators later determined a Black Ford Bronco and a Buick LeSabre left the mobile home in a hurry shortly before neighbors discovered the fire.

A witness, who owns the Black Bronco that fled the scene, told investigators that he saw the trailer on fire, went inside and found Bailey running through the house while on fire.

Under police questioning, Bailey admitted to making meth because he was addicted to the drug. He also said he had set himself on fire in the manufacturing process and suffered serious burns to his arm.

In return for his plea agreement, Bailey was sentenced to six years for the manufacturing count, with three to be served in prison and the rest to be served on probation. He was sentenced to 18 months for possession, with the sentences to be served concurrently.

Superior Court Judge Earl Penrod ordered Bailey to drug and alcohol counseling during probation.