Pubdate: Thu, 27 Jul 2006
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Jack Boland, Toronto Sun
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH LAB 'ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY'

Chemical Specialists Cleaning Up

Investigators and cleanup crews who sifted through the  charred 
remains of a burned-out Mississauga drug lab  yesterday called it one 
of the deadliest they have ever  seen.

The methamphetamine lab in the Mariner Ct. townhouse  was a 
"well-engineered ... super lab" of a kind that is  rarely seen, said 
cleanup manager Mitchell Gibbs.

Gibbs manages Team-1 Emergency Services, a  Hamilton-based chemical 
disposal firm which has  dismantled over 100 meth labs across Ontario.

Gibbs said he has never seen a meth lab so "well  engineered."

"This is a super lab. These guys weren't doing this as  a hobby. It 
is one of the most deadly I've seen," said  Gibbs, noting the drug 
producers were using all three  floors of the townhouse.

'Skin Melting Off'

The townhouse , near Mavis Rd. and Eglinton Ave. W.,  became a deadly 
ball of fire at 8:15 p.m. Sunday when a  flame apparently ignited 
highly volatile vapours.

Two occupants fled the inferno in flames and somehow  drove 
themselves to Credit Valley Hospital.

One of them, Jayson White, 33, a married father of two  originally 
from Texas who had rented the home for the  past year, died Tuesday 
in a Rochester hospital in  upstate New York.

The pair had been airlifted there for specialized burn treatment.

Peel Regional Police morality squad Det. Dan Valleau  said the second 
burn victim, Reno Fazio, 45, of  Toronto, remains in critical 
condition in Rochester and  is not expected to live.

"Their skin was melting off them as they drove to (the  Credit 
Valley) hospital," said Valleau.

The Mariner Ct. meth lab is the first found in Peel  Region since a 
bathroom-sized lab was found in 1999.

"I'm hoping this isn't the part of a new trend to set  up in 
residential areas," Valleau said.

"This is the first one I've ever seen. We predominantly  investigate 
(marijuana) grow labs," he said.

Team-1 experts wearing yellow chemical suits entered  the burned-out 
townhouse for the second consecutive day  yesterday to remove toxic 
and volatile chemicals.

They carried out barrels and glass condenser flasks of  chemicals, 
which were turned over to Health Canada,  Peel police and Ontario 
fire marshal's officials for  inspection.

Gibbs believes the fire started in the kitchen, where  the two men 
were allegedly "cooking" the final product.

Neighbours All Gone

He said a flame ignited built-up vapours.

Gibbs said it is fortunate the vapour buildup did not  result in an 
explosion, which could have levelled  several neighbouring townhouses.

All residents on the street have been evacuated until  the cleanup is completed.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman