A makeshift meth lab was the found in an Atlantic City hotel as firefighters controlled a blaze inside Tropicana Casino & Resort on Wednesday, police said.

While Atlantic City firefighters responded to the fire in a room on the 44th floor of the hotel, they discovered the meth lab in the room, Atlantic City Police Sergeant Kevin Fair said.

Two men and one woman fled from the room and hotel before authorities arrived, and were not found by officers until nearly 12 hours later when they were taken into custody, Fair said.

AC Firefighters currently operating a high rise fire @TropicanaAC on the 44th floor. pic.twitter.com/KhGLpWYWct — Atlantic City Firefighters IAFF L198 (@AtlanticCityFD) February 14, 2018

Michael Pillar, 49, the renter of the room, was charged with maintaining a controlled dangerous substance production facility, possession of methamphetamine and criminal mischief, Fair said.

The other man and woman were released without charges.

Prior to being charged, Pillar, of Whiting, was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained during the fire.

A Tropicana employee also sustained minor injuries.

Sophie Nieto-Munoz may be reached at snietomunoz@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her at @snietomunoz. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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