Janine Marnien
A county Hazardous Materials team spent most of the day Tuesday
doing something they don't often do in La Canada Flintridge.
They cleaned the toxic remains of a methamphetamine lab someone
apparently dumped in the 4500 block of Vista Place.
Deputies originally thought construction materials had been
dumped, but quickly discovered the debris was of a chemical nature,
Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Sgt. James Noennick said.
"The fumes became so strong we had to expand the safety barrier
and evacuate several homes," he said.
Eight homes were ultimately evacuated, and several residents were
not allowed to return to their homes. Officials estimated the area
would be safe to return to between 9 and 10 p.m. Tuesday. The
materials were reported shortly after 8:30 a.m. that morning.
Between 20 and 30 containers and several trash bags were found
full of chemical materials, Noennick said.
The dump is under investigation, and deputies do not know if the
suspect or suspects live locally or are from a different area, Sgt.
Joseph Raya said.
"It's very rare that we find something like this in this area," he
said.
Vista Place is south of Foothill Boulevard, just west of the
Glendale (2) Freeway.
