Man Pours Suspected Meth-Making Chemicals Down Drain, Starting Fire at Erie Home

A man was arrested as part of a meth investigation that led to a fire on Erie's east side Monday morning.

It happened as Erie Police and the SWAT team attempted to serve a search warrant in the 1100 block of E. 20th St. just before 10 a.m.

The suspect - who has since been identified as Timothy Belczyk, 41 - ran into the basement and dumped chemicals suspect to be used to make meth down a drain, police said. It started a chemical reaction and fire.

Belczyk was taken into custody, and the fire department was called to the scene.

The drug and vice unit will be going into the home to retrieve evidence once the scene is cleared by the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team.

A small quantity of suspected meth, suspected meth lab and sawed-off shotgun was recovered from inside the home, according to police.

Neighbors told Erie News Now they are not surprised by the drug investigation.