Man in custody after explosion in suspected drug lab
New Westminster apartment building remains evacuated while hazmat team and police determine substances on site
UPDATE — Nov. 6, 2018: Police say the unit containing the apparent drug lab has been cleared of harmful material and neighbouring residents have been allowed to return home.
New Westminster police say one man is in custody after an explosion Sunday at an apparent illegal drug lab located in a low-rise apartment building.
The entire building at 201 Carnarvon St. was evacuated while hazmat crews determined which substances they were dealing with.
"Initial observations of the suite are that it is a clandestine lab," said Sgt. Jeff Scott. "The importance of this is that we take it slowly and methodically so there's no risk to the public or first responders while we are dismantling it."
Scott said the suspect was attempting to leave the building and was unco-operative when first responders arrived on the scene.
Pretty nifty watching <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewWest?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewWest</a> firefighters set up this mobile hazmat station to deal with a drug lab on Canarvon <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/teamwork?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#teamwork</a> <a href="https://t.co/8caGJOhBbH">pic.twitter.com/8caGJOhBbH</a>
—@CorNaylor