PITTSBURGH -- It was a frightening night for two dozen residents in the small community of Presston in Stowe Township.

All residents in the 100 block of Orchard Street were ordered to evacuate their homes after police discovered a methamphetamine lab in one of the houses.

A hazmat crew that included officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency, as well as State Police combed the house overnight and this morning removing a big tank and other paraphernalia used to cook the drugs.

Five firefighters and three police officers were overcome by fumes at the scene, that's when officials ordered the evacuation. Fire Chief Mike Stepek said when his crew smelled fumes; he knew it was time to take every precaution.

Watching a half dozen hazmat members in full gear trying to vent the house scared some neighbors. June Ruckman says people in the neighborhood look out for each other, and had noticed an increase in traffic in front of the home.

D.E.A. officials say they are amazed by the growth of meth labs in the tri-state area.

Last year they investigated 34 cases all year. This year they are on a track to double that.