Update, as of 9:20 p.m. Store has reopened. Police say a "meth lab" was found in the purse of a woman spotted shoplifting.

SOUTH ST. LOUIS COUNTY • The Walmart at Telegraph Road and Interstate 255 has been evacuated as police and firefighters investigate an "active meth lab" inside the store, St. Louis County police said.

The store was open and full of customers when it was cleared about 6:15 p.m. Thursday after employees and then police discovered the possible hazardous situation involving the substances used to make methamphetamine, St. Louis County police Lt. Mark Cox said.

The chemicals were discovered after police were called about a shoplifter. Cox did not yet know details of the "lab," how it was put together or where in the store it was located.

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Police investigators and Mehlville firefighters are investigating. Walmart employees said they expect the store to be closed for several hours. Officers will dismantle the lab and make sure there are no hazardous leftovers or fumes in the air, Cox said.

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http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/walmart-in-south-st-louis-county-is-cleared-for-meth/article_c21df9fc-b108-11e1-8d6f-0019bb30f31a.html#ixzz1xALjJl3C