METH LAB 'ONE OF THE MOST DEADLY'

Chemical Specialists Cleaning Up

Investigators and cleanup crews who sifted through the charred
remains of a burned-out Mississauga drug lab yesterday called it one
of the deadliest they have ever seen.

The methamphetamine lab in the Mariner Ct. townhouse was a
"well-engineered ... super lab" of a kind that is rarely seen, said
cleanup manager Mitchell Gibbs.

Gibbs manages Team-1 Emergency Services, a Hamilton-based chemical
disposal firm which has dismantled over 100 meth labs across Ontario.

Gibbs said he has never seen a meth lab so "well engineered."

"This is a super lab. These guys weren't doing this as a hobby. It
is one of the most deadly I've seen," said Gibbs, noting the drug
producers were using all three floors of the townhouse.

'Skin Melting Off'

The townhouse , near Mavis Rd. and Eglinton Ave. W., became a deadly
ball of fire at 8:15 p.m. Sunday when a flame apparently ignited
highly volatile vapours.

Two occupants fled the inferno in flames and somehow drove
themselves to Credit Valley Hospital.

One of them, Jayson White, 33, a married father of two originally
from Texas who had rented the home for the past year, died Tuesday
in a Rochester hospital in upstate New York.

The pair had been airlifted there for specialized burn treatment.

Peel Regional Police morality squad Det. Dan Valleau said the second
burn victim, Reno Fazio, 45, of Toronto, remains in critical
condition in Rochester and is not expected to live.

"Their skin was melting off them as they drove to (the Credit
Valley) hospital," said Valleau.

The Mariner Ct. meth lab is the first found in Peel Region since a
bathroom-sized lab was found in 1999.

"I'm hoping this isn't the part of a new trend to set up in
residential areas," Valleau said.

"This is the first one I've ever seen. We predominantly investigate
(marijuana) grow labs," he said.

Team-1 experts wearing yellow chemical suits entered the burned-out
townhouse for the second consecutive day yesterday to remove toxic
and volatile chemicals.

They carried out barrels and glass condenser flasks of chemicals,
which were turned over to Health Canada, Peel police and Ontario
fire marshal's officials for inspection.

Gibbs believes the fire started in the kitchen, where the two men
were allegedly "cooking" the final product.

Neighbours All Gone

He said a flame ignited built-up vapours.

Gibbs said it is fortunate the vapour buildup did not result in an
explosion, which could have levelled several neighbouring townhouses.

All residents on the street have been evacuated until the cleanup is completed.