HOLLYWOOD —
Police have arrested a Hollywood man whose apartment allegedly caught fire two months ago while being used as a drug lab.
Jeremy Philip Davis, 32, was arrested Thursday on charges that include first-degree arson and possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal chemicals, said Hollywood Police spokesman Lt. Manny Marino.
"Mr. Davis' injuries and the damage to the apartment building exhibit the serious dangers inherent with the manufacturing of illegal drugs," said Mark R. Trouville, special agent in charge with the Drug Enforcement Administration in Miami.
DEA officials and Hollywood police began investigating June 30, when a fire broke out at Lakewood Apartments at 3630 N. 56th Ave.
Firefighters, who quickly extinguished the blaze, became suspicious when they noticed the intensity of the heat and witnesses told them the victim — who suffered several burns — threw items into the complex's trash bin after the fire started, officials said.
Officials took samples and other evidence that showed it was a drug lab, Marino said. A warrant was issued for Davis' arrest Aug. 20, and he was arrested six days later, Marino said.
Davis declined to speak with detectives, Marino said.
Juan Ortega can be reached at jcortega@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4701.
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