By james art RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) – Less than 24 hours after a downtown Reno motel was shut down due to a failed health inspection, police surrounded the Lakemill Lodge first thing Thursday morning.
About a dozen cops are on the scene at the motel, located at the corner of Lake and Mill streets just east of downtown Reno.
Officers on the scene can be heard yelling at people inside and asking them to come out with their hands up.
Northern Nevada Public Health and the city of Wren conducted a joint inspection as part of an ongoing investigation into code violations Wednesday. During the inspection, authorities found human waste and used hypodermic syringes in the common stairwells.
Rapid tests found the syringes tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, according to a health district spokesman.
Due to the fact that the common stairwells are the main exit points of the building, all residents were evacuated and the motel was closed until further notice.
The health district said Lakemill Lodge will remain closed until recovery efforts are complete and officials determine it is safe to reopen.
Officials and community partners are working to move Lakemill Lodge residents into temporary housing while the motel undergoes renovations.
News 4-Fox 11 has a crew on the ground and will bring you the latest as it becomes available.