Update: Weekend Fire Started in Racine Ecstasy Lab

When Racine firefighters responded to a working structure fire late Friday afternoon, they discovered what looked to be a drug lab.

The Racine Police Department in a press release Monday confirmed RFD was right; investigators believe a complex ecstasy lab and the associated chemicals started the fire in the home at 421 Parkview Drive.

After the fire was put out, the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s CLEAR Task Force (Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement And Response) removed materials from the building and determined it was a "complex clandestine ecstasy lab."

Our media partners at WISN 12 News were on location Saturday when the property owner returned home for the first time since December after being in a nursing home recovering from leg surgery. The man told Channel 12 that he was allowing his nephew to live in the upstairs apartment but the man never went upstairs because of the injury to his leg.

Racine police say the matter remains an open and active investigation. RPD is working with CLEAR and investigators from the Department of Criminal Investigations. There are no suspects in custody at this time. 

Anyone with any information about this case can leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at (262) 636-9330, or by texting RACS plus the message to CRIMES (274637) and referring to Tipsoft I.D. #TIP417 with your text message.