PLANTATION, FLA. (WSVN) - Hotel guests in Plantation were forced to evacuate after police discovered a makeshift drug lab inside the building, an alarming find that took place hours after a man was found dead in a room, officials said.
7News cameras captured units from multiple law enforcement and fire rescue agencies outside of the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham, located at 8101 South Peters Road, Saturday night.
Fire rescue officials said they received a 911 call about an unresponsive male inside a room just after 11:15 a.m.
“There were a couple of policemen there, and I saw on the ground in the room, there was a body on the ground,” said hotel guest Steven Goldberg.
First responders pronounced the man dead. Investigators said the man was in his mid-30s and had died from a possible drug overdose hours before they arrived.
“I spoke with another policeman who came over. I said, ‘I understand there was a death,’ and he says, ‘That’s part of it,'” said Goldberg.
At around 3:25 p.m., fire rescue units received another call about someone cooking an illicit drug in the same second-floor hotel room.
Crews with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue responded and found dangerous chemicals in the hotel room. They evacuated the building and requested the hazmat team.
“Is there a meth thing going on here or something?” said Goldberg.
Investigators said they are attempting to determine what was being cooked inside the room.
“Exactly what those chemicals are, we’re not sure, but it’s been characterized as a very crude, illicit lab operation,” said BSFR spokesperson Aston Bright.
Plantation Fire Rescue shared video showing crews in hazmat suits as they entered the lobby.
Hotel guests and staff waited outside for several hours while crews processed the scene.
“I always enjoy coming here, and this is a real shock,” said Goldberg.
Late Saturday night, the building was deemed safe, and guests were allowed to return to their rooms.
It remains unknown what chemicals were found inside of the hotel room along with the identity of the deceased.
Police continue to investigate.
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