Meth Lab Catches Fire In Atlantic City Casino Hotel Room (Video)

A New Jersey man was hospitalized and then arrested for having a make-shift meth lab that caught fire inside a casino hotel room this week, police said (see video below).

Michael Pillar, 49, of Whiting was arrested on Wednesday after the fire was discovered inside a room at the Tropicana Casino and Resort, police said.

The fire was discovered at 9:47 am, when patrol officers and the Atlantic City Fire Department responded to the Tropicana Casino and Resort on the 44th floor of the West Tower, police said.

The fire was contained to one room and was quickly extinguished. The occupants of the room were not located. Several floors of the hotel were evacuated due to smoke, police said.

During the investigation, police detectives were sent to the scene after the meth lab was located in the hotel room. The New Jersey State Police Hazardous Material Response Unit responded to the scene and dismantled the lab, police said.

Tropicana surveillance officers were able to locate video footage of individuals that had fled the room and the hotel before the arrival of security and first responders. Detectives of the Special Investigations Section were able to quickly identify two males and one female, police said.

At 9:27 p.m,, all three individuals were located on the 2400 block of Pacific Avenue. They were taken into custody without incident. One man, Pillar, was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment of injuries sustained in the fire.

An investigation by Detectives Jaimee Moore and Garry Stowe led to charges being filed against Pillar, who was the renter of the hotel room. The two other individuals were released with no charges, police said.

This investigation was led by Detectives Jaimee Moore and Garry Stowe. The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office also assisted.

Pillar was charged with maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, possession of CDS (methamphetamine), and criminal mischief. Pillar was sent to the Atlantic County Justice Facility, police said.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858. Information can be text to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD. All texts are anonymous.

Here is the video:

Photo: Atlantic City firefighters