Three people are in custody after police discovered an ecstasy lab in Burnaby, B.C. Saturday morning.

On Friday, police were alerted to a suspected synthetic drug lab in the 100-block of Ellesmere Avenue after receiving a complaint of strong chemical smells coming from a residence.

Police say investigators obtained a search warrant and found the lab inside the residence the following day.

"This is a perfect example of how members of the public can be active in their community and assist the RCMP," Sgt. Scott Rintoul said in a release.

"This criminal operation represented a significant public safety risk, not only to the surrounding Burnaby residents and their homes, but to anyone who might have ingested something produced under these filthy conditions."

Investigators arrested three people at the scene who remain in custody.

Police say two or three days will be needed to safely dismantle the drug lab, and that fires caused by chemical reactions in such labs pose a serious risk to the public.