Atlantic City casino hotel room fire leads to meth lab arrest

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Police have charged a New Jersey man with setting up a methamphetamine lab in an Atlantic City casino hotel room that caught fire Wednesday, causing four floors to be evacuated.

Wednesday's fire at the Tropicana casino injured two people: the man who rented the room and was later arrested, and a hotel employee who entered the room after the fire was detected.

Their conditions were not available Thursday.

Police charged 49-year-old Michael Pillar of Whiting, New Jersey with maintaining a drug production facility; possession of methamphetamine, and criminal mischief.

Damage from the fire was contained to the room on the 44th floor of the casino's west tower where the fire occurred.

A hazardous materials team dismantled the lab.

It could not immediately be determined whether Pillar has hired a lawyer.