Drug Lab Found During Probe of N.H. Dorm Fire

March 18--DURHAM -- University of New Hampshire police found evidence of drug manufacturing after responding to a minor dormitory fire late Sunday, officials said.

UNH Police Chief Paul Dean said officers found marijuana, volatile solvents and glassware while investigating the fire reported at 10:15 p.m. in the Richardson House. Criminal charges have not been filed. The case is under investigation.

"This was a minor incident but it could have been much more serious," Dean said in a statement. "We will not tolerate this behavior on our campus and will work to keep every member of our campus safe."

UNH said the student involved no longer lives on campus. A UNH spokeswoman declined to elaborate.

Durham Assistant Fire Chief Jason Cleary said the fire was confined to a second floor dorm room. A resident extinguished the blaze before firefighters arrived.

"There was a small pile of personal belongings and clothes that was set on fire accidentally," Cleary said. "That set off the smoke detectors, which is what tripped the alarm."

One dorm resident suffered a burned hand fighting the fire, he said. McGregor Memorial EMS transferred the person to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital for treatment.

Dorm residents were evacuated from the building when the fire alarms went off. Durham firefighters set up large fans to ventilate the building, which was not damaged.

"All occupants were able to return to the building," he said. "There was no damage preventing anyone from staying there."

Richardson House houses 43 first-year students predominantly in single rooms, according to the university website. It's located on DeMeritt Circle toward the rear of the UNH campus.

Dean asked anyone with information about illegal drug activity to report it. UNH police can be reached by calling 862-1427. Information also can be shared anonymously by visiting the department's website at www.unh.edu/upd.

Copyright 2014 - Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.