Western Avenue was closed by Chillicothe Police Wednesday morning after a search warrant was issued at 52 Western Avenue for a suspected meth lab in basement. 

Once police officers determined there was a meth lab present, they backed-out of the home and closed sections of Western Avenue at the intersection with Main, High and Water Streets, due to the explosive capability of the materials associated with meth labs.

Chillicothe Firefighters and hazmat teams were called to the scene to neutralize the volatile chemicals.

Authorities say residents 25-year-old Hope McKenzie and 27-year-old Charles Bundy were arrested on non-related warrants but have also been charged with illegal manufacture of methamphetamines, possession of meth, and possession of chemicals to make meth.

Additional charges could be pending based upon further investigation and chemical analysis from the BCI&I Crime Lab.

While this is the first time this residence was raided, Chillicothe Police Officer Bud Lytle says a neighboring 58 Western Avenue had been raided in the past for illegal drug activity.