Crews Find Meth Lab In NJ Home While Responding To Fire
BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J. (CBS) - Officials say they found a meth lab in a Burlington County, New Jersey home Sunday while responding to a morning fire.
Crews were called to the home located on the unit block of Bodine Avenue around 1:20 a.m.
After entering, firefighters discovered the blaze started in a room containing a meth lab. Hazmat crews were then called to the scene.
Further investigation also revealed the presence of an illegal assault firearm, two loaded high capacity magazines for that assault weapon, hollow point bullets, a dagger style knife and other drug paraphernalia needed to operate the methamphetamine laboratory.
Police say 29-year-old Mark Payne was arrested, then taken to the hospital for the treatment. His girlfriend, Erika Greenberg, was also treated at the hospital and arrested.
A firefighter was treated for an unrelated medical issue and was also released.
Payne was renting that home, and the homeowner has been notified.
Officials say the chemicals do not appear to pose a risk to the public, but they continue to investigate.
Payne and Greenberg are being held on $250,000 and $100,000 bail, respectively. Both are facing numerous charges.