FAIRHOPE, Ala. - The J. Larry Newton School and a daycare within Jubilee Shores United Methodist Church were temporarily "sheltered" today after suspected methamphetamine-related contraband was discovered at a nearby business. Fairhope Fire Chief John Saraceno said he called in a hazardous materials response unit from Daphne to dispose of at least two plastic drink bottles with "crystals" in them. The bottles were discovered in a dumpster behind a convenience store on the corner of State Highway 181 and County Road 32.

"I can't speak to the exact chemicals in the bottles, but it looked like all the ingredients for methamphetamine," Saraceno said. The police and fire department established a command post at Jubilee Shores and asked for students at a daycare there and nearby J. Larry Newton school to be kept indoors. J. Larry Newton School Principal Suellen Brazil said that the school was under a "lockdown," but they did keep all children and staff inside until authorities gave the all-clear.

"We took all necessary precautionary measures and notified parents," Brazil said. "Everyone was free to move about the building and with the exception of an indoor P.E. class, everything was the same."

Meanwhile, Saraceno, explaining why the chemicals were deemed "hazardous," said, "(The chemicals) can continue to react after the (meth cooking) process is over. In this case, it appeared the bottles were still warm."

No one was injured in the response. The hazardous material was removed by 1:15 p.m. and the roads around the intersection, which had been diverted for over an hour, were reopened.

This was the second time this year that meth-related contraband was discovered in the area. On March 17, the Fairhope Police Department, investigating a suspicious package along a tree line north of J. Larry Newton School, found a duffel bag containing meth-making ingredients.