Firefighters Stumble Upon Suspected El Cajon Meth Lab
Officials Tuesday were investigating a suspected drug-related fire at an El Cajon residence Monday evening.
About 7:30 p.m., neighbors reported an explosion and fire at a home in the 700 block of Chamberlain Avenue, police said.
The El Cajon Fire Department quickly knocked down the flames. No one was at the home when firefighters arrived. An investigation revealed glassware inside the residence of the type used to process methamphetamines, Lt. Bob Lein, chief of investigations, said.
“The investigation is continuing and no names will be revealed at this time--we haven’t taken anybody into custody,” Lein said. “We have reason to believe the occupants were processing methamphetamines by using a gas stove in the kitchen and ether, which may have ignited, causing the explosion.”
Lein said all local hospital emergency rooms were contacted Monday night and notified to be on the lookout for anyone who came in with burns.
Agents from the DEA Narcotics Task Force are also investigating. Chemicals found in the residence, believed to be those used to make methamphetamines, are being analyzed by agency chemists, a DEA agent said.
Chief John Taylor, El Cajon fire marshal, said the exact cause of the fire and amount of damages were unknown.
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