ALLEGED DRUG LAB BLAMED FOR EVACUATION

Police arrested three men and a North San Jose neighborhood was evacuated
late Sunday and early Monday after chemical processing went awry at an
alleged home methamphetamine lab, sending smoke and toxic fumes into the air.

San Jose police were called at 10:45 p.m. Sunday in response to complaints
of a foul smell in the area; they came upon three men stumbling out of the
East Julian Street house gasping for air. The house was engulfed in smoke
and reeked of toxic fumes.

``It was bad cooking,'' said police spokesman Rubens Dalaison. ``Either the
mixtures went wrong or there was something wrong with the containers.''

About 50 area residents were evacuated from 11:30 p.m. Sunday to 2:30 a.m.
Monday. No one suffered injury or required treatment.

Three men were charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, as well
as health and safety code violations. They are Juan Carlos Castillo, 23,
Jesus Infante, 19, and Juan Lopez, 22. All lived in the home.

The men suffered toxic smoke inhalation and were treated by paramedics
before being jailed.

One police officer who tried to enter the home suffered eye and throat
irritation and was treated at a nearby hospital. He later was released.

Police and the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement
found 20 pounds of chemicals that could have been used to produce about 10
pounds of methamphetamine. The quantity could bring up to as much as
$450,000 on the street.

In connection with the incident, police are looking to question at least
two other people who live at the house.