Meth manufacturing items found at scene of fire

Hillsboro police and firefighters are currently investigating a "suspicious" Saturday morning fire in the 100 block of South High Street in Hillsboro, where items believed to be related to the manufacture of methamphetamine were found. 

According a report from the Hillsboro Police Department, several residents were evacuated from the building at 142 South High Street the morning of Feb. 11.

  The department received a call at 1:25 a.m., and upon investigation, "a strong chemical smell was evident," according to the HPD report. "The apartment was evacuated, and a safety check was performed. During the safety check, items relating to the manufacture of methamphetamine were found. Some of these items will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI) for analysis."

The HPD called the fire "suspicious" in its report. 

Hillsboro Police Chief Nick Thompson said that he was uncertain how many residents were evacuated, and that no arrests have been made. When the department receives the results from BCI testing, Thompson said the report will be forwarded to the Highland County Prosecutor's Office for possible presentation to a grand jury in Highland County Common Pleas Court. 

"They were given permission to search by a resident of the apartment," Thompson said. "They gathered evidence at the scene that would lead them to believe it was used in the production of methamphetamine. When they get the information back from BCI they will be meeting with the prosecutor to consider charges." 

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue was on scene for approximately one hour. The HFR report indicated that there was little damage caused to the apartment, and that the fire may have been extinguished before fire crews arrived. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.