On the day before Thanksgiving, some noses in northeast Bismarck smelled something more foul than fowl.

It turned out to be anhydrous ammonia, and led to the arrest of a 40-year-old Bismarck man. Robert Grenz was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and three other related felonies.

Witnesses on Wednesday reported a strong chemical smell coming from a rental unit in the 3400 block of Saratoga Avenue. Police responded, and detectives used specialized equipment to sample the air. The samples tested positive for anhydrous.

Police got a search warrant, and found Grenz inside. Along with the man was a loaded firearm and what appeared to be a working meth lab, meth and meth paraphernalia, Sgt. Mark Buschena said.

Grenz was taken to a Bismarck hospital for medical attention and then to the Burleigh County Jail. He was charged Friday with his second offense of manufacturing meth, assistant Burleigh County State's Attorney Julie Lawyer said. If convicted, Grenz would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

Lawyer said Grenz also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of meth and reckless endangerment, all class C felonies.