Atlantic City police: Makeshift meth lab discovered after Tropicana fire
Police have charged a New Jersey man with setting up a methamphetamine lab in an Atlantic City casino hotel room that caught fire Wednesday, causing four floors to be evacuated.
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ATLANTIC CITY — Police have charged a New Jersey man with setting up a methamphetamine lab in a casino hotel room that caught fire Wednesday, causing four floors to be evacuated.
The fire at the Tropicana injured the man who rented the room and was later arrested, and a hotel employee who entered the room after the fire was detected. Their conditions were not available Thursday.
Police charged Michael Pillar, 49, of Whiting, with maintaining a drug production facility; possession of methamphetamine, and criminal mischief.
Damage from the fire was contained to the room on the 44th floor of the casino's west tower.
A hazardous materials team dismantled the lab.
It could not immediately be determined whether Pillar had hired a lawyer.