Federal agents and hazmat crews descend on home of Irvine teen accused of wild science experiments

Federal agents and hazmat crews descend on home of Irvine teen accused of wild science experiments

Federal agents descended on the Irvine home of a teenager whose alleged science experiments sparked hazmat crews to swarm the residence over complaints of a strong chemical smell Wednesday.

Several blue tens and dozens of agents — from the FBI, Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency and Irvine Police Department — were spotted in the gated community as they investigated the home of 18-year-old Amalvin Fritz.

Aerial view of Fritz’s home in the gated Altair community in Irvine during the second raid Jon Putman for CA Post
Federal agents descended on Fritz’s home for the second time this year Jon Putman for CA Post

A judicial search warrant was being served at the location, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. It’s currently unclear what was seized from the home.

It’s the second time in two days agents were at the home, as FBI officials, hazardous material crews and the bomb squad were all at the property Tuesday after neighbors spotted three strange industrial barrels and reported a strange chemical odor.

The three barrels were allegedly empty and previously contained chemicals but were not confiscated during February’s investigation, according to CJ Ray, the family’s attorney.

Three strange barrels were reported by Fritz’s own neighbors Jon Putman for CA Post
Amalvin Fritz was 17-years-old during the first investigation in February abc7

“The family is beyond frustrated that this is happening again, and that people are scared of what they don’t understand, the Fritz family’s attorney told NBCLA following the second investigation.

“The Orange County Fire Authority and the Irvine Police Department responded to a report of a chemical odor coming from a residence on Crater. The FBI responded and has joined the investigation. There are no evacuations and no known threat to the community,” the Irvine Police Department said in a statement.

Fritz also had his home raided by federal agents a few months ago.

Federal authorities swarmed the multi-million dollar home in the neighborhood where properties average over $5 million after reports of suspicious items in late February, according to a report from the Orange County Register.

Chemical mixtures along with formulas written on a whiteboard were discovered inside home, which prompted the FBI to bring in experts to investigate further.

No arrests were made in the February search.

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