Nov 24, 2008 9:58 pm US/Pacific
Officials: No Meth Lab, Bomb In Flooded Apartment
SAN PEDRO (CBS) ―
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An LAPD bomb squad, firefighters and a hazardous materials unit were all
at the scene, police said, adding that no arrests were reported. (File)
CBS
Firefighters responding to a flooding call at a unit in a large apartment complex in San Pedro Monday discovered what initially appeared to be a methamphetamine lab and a possible explosive device, authorities said.
Firefighters were dispatched to Seaport Homes at 28000 S. Western Ave., near the border with Rancho Palos Verdes, at 2:55 p.m., and in turn contacted police "to investigate unusual circumstances," said Ron Myers of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The matter was initially investigated as a possible methamphetamine lab, but it was determined not to be, police said.
"We're still trying to determine what the chemicals were," Officer
April Harding said. "But at this point there appeared to be no criminal
activity."
A scientist lived in the apartment and police are still trying to find him, Harding said.
A possible explosive device was later found in the same location, but was determined tonight to be inert, Harding said.
Families and individuals from 50 units were evacuated.
Most of those who were evacuated were allowed to return to their units later Monday night, but residents of about a dozen units above and near the unit in question were told they would have to spend the night elsewhere, Harding said.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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