Drug lab no longer suspected in Providence hotel evacuation
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Police say investigators no longer suspect that a makeshift drug lab is to blame for an incident that prompted the evacuation of a hotel on Providence's waterfront.
Maj. David Lapatin tells The Providence Journal that investigators have ruled out narcotics for the reason that toxic smoke was emitted from Room 323 at the Hilton Garden Inn on Tuesday afternoon.
Instead, Lapatin says police are focusing on a different, "unusual" direction with assistance from the FBI and Secret Service. Lapatin declined to reveal further information because the investigation remains active.
An inspection of the room produced a hazmat suit and mask along with money in several different places.
Police say the person who booked the room was in the company of three other men who all carried large, dark suitcases.
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