Firefighters were called to a Burnaby apartment building Monday to help with decontamination during the takedown of a suspected drug lab.
The fire department was first called to 7376 Halifax Street at about 2:20 p.m., according to acting assistant fire Chief Stew Maltman.
He said the suspected drug lab was on the 10th floor of the building, and the fire department set up decontamination stations on the ninth and 10th floors to decontaminate police officers coming out of the apartment.
“We don’t go in and assist in removing any of the drugs,” Maltman said.
The fire department also had two engines on scene “in case of any problems,” he said.
Although the bust happened in Burnaby, the RCMP said it was part of a Vancouver Police Department investigation.
The VPD took down four suspected drug labs in Vancouver in addition to the one in Burnaby, according to Maltman.
Vancouver police, however, would confirm few details about the case, including any information about what was found inside the Burnaby apartment.
“It is an ongoing drug investigation, and that’s all the information we can state at this time. There is not a public safety threat,” VPD Sgt. Aaron Roed told the NOW.
Videos taken at the scene show police using a drone and robot during the takedown.
“Our emergency response team was there and they did use a number of resources available to them in executing this warrant,” Roed said. “Drones are something that we utilize on almost every one of our warrants now."
Maltman said Burnaby firefighters were returning to the apartment to assist VPD for a couple hours on Tuesday.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com
