VANCOUVER -- The Burnaby Fire Department says a major police and hazmat team presence at an apartment building that started Monday afternoon was due to the discovery of a suspected drug lab in a suite.
The fire department confirms it was called to Halifax Street near Phillips Avenue, near Burnaby Mountain, to help with decontamination after the discovery of a possible meth lab, but referred all other questions to police.
Burnaby RCMP confirm Vancouver police are leading the investigation.
Sgt. Aaron Roed with the Vancouver Police Department did not confirm information about the suspected lab, only saying Vancouver officers were working with Burnaby RCMP and the Emergency Response Team to execute a warrant.
“This is an ongoing investigation with officers from Vancouver police and I am limited on what I can release. The warrant was executed and officers continue to gather information,” Roed told CTV News in an email Tuesday morning.
A specialized robot was sent into one of the Montecito Towers apartment buildings Monday evening, and officers with the ERT were seen in the area.
“These guys come out with green outfits on and ventilator masks, and I thought ‘OK, they’re shooting a movie,' ” a resident named Annette told CTV News. “I would have liked to have known something.”
At one point, a drone, which appeared to be piloted by an ERT member, was being flown near some upper suites.
Neighbours indicated to CTV News that the investigation was believed to be centred on a suite on the 10th floor. The building was not evacuated.
The hazmat team, along with four fire trucks, returned to the building around 11 a.m. Tuesday as residents looked on.
Vancouver police also remained on scene Tuesday.
They have not indicated if any arrests have been made, and have not confirmed what was found inside the suite, or the origin of the warrant.
