HARTFORD — Hartford police were called to a Route 5 motel south of White River Junction after guests reported smelling chemicals coming from one of the rooms on Saturday found a “man with a makeshift methamphetamine lab and chemicals commonly used in the manufacturing process in the room,” according to Hartford Police Chief Phil Kasten.
Surrounding rooms at the South on Five motel were evacuated and the Hartford Fire Department helped ventilate nearby rooms.
Hartford police obtained a search warrant and along with investigators from the Vermont State Police Clandestine Lab Team, Hazardous Materials and Explosives Units and the Drug Enforcement Administration processed the scene into Saturday evening, Kasten said.
Hartford’s health officer also inspected the site and ordered that the motel room and the adjacent ones remain unoccupied for 72 hours. Displaced guests were moved to other rooms at the motel.
“The incident is still under investigation and no charges have been filed at this point,” Hartford Police Major Brad Vail said Monday.