Police Looking for Suspect Accused of Trying to Build Meth Lab in South Fargo

Police say a fire at an apartment complex Thursday night was caused by someone trying to build a meth lab. It was discovered at the Boulder Ridge Apartments near 52nd Avenue.

Police say the fire started in the apartment. The suspect ran out to the garage to try and put the fire out and then fled the scene. Police say they know who the suspect is and are actively looking for them.

The BCI and the Narcotics Division responded to dismantle the attempted drug operation. According to police, the gas masks were only used as a precaution against the dangerous chemicals used in cooking methamphetamine. Police say there were no dangerous air readings recorded Thursday night and that is why there was no evacuation or further dissemination of facts.

Firefighters responded to a fire call Thursday evening and spent more than five hours on the scene. Much of the time, police and fire personnel were going in and out of the building and a garage wearing gas masks.

People living in the area say there's been a horrid smell coming from one of the ground-level apartments lately.

The Narcotics Division at Fargo PD and the Environmental Health Division at Fargo Cass Public Health are still investigating to determine what ramifications and charges will be coming.

The Boulder Ridge Apartments are managed by Campbell Property Management. The company said they have no comment on the situation. The Resident Manager of the building has not yet returned any phone calls seeking comment. Residents say when they pressed the person for answers during the investigation Thursday night, they were told everything was fine, under control and that there was no reason to worry.