2 ECSTASY LAB FINDS WORRY FIREFIGHTERS

Markham firefighters found two Ecstasy labs within four days, but they
have no specialized training in dealing with some of the volatile
chemicals involved. The shortcoming was acutely noticed by
firefighters, who all have basic haz-mat training, when they uncovered
two clandestine Ecstasy operations in the bedroom community since Saturday.

"We're not trained or equipped to handle hazardous materials, with the
exception of carbon monoxide and natural gas leaks," explained Markham
Professional Fire Fighters Association secretary Scott Daniel.

HOME COULD HAVE BLOWN

On Saturday, firefighters responded to a chemical fire inside a
Manhattan St. home. What they discovered was one of North America's
largest Ecstasy labs filled with volatile chemicals like acetone used
to make the rave drug. The amount of chemicals in the home, if the
fire caused an explosion, would have taken out three homes, police
said.

And on Tuesday, firefighters were called to a kitchen fire on
Brunswick St. and put out a fire caused by an unattended pot on the
stove. But while checking the home, they found an Ecstasy pill press
and kilos of pills packed in plastic bags.