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Hudson Police Arrest Two After Finding Alleged Stovetop Meth Lab

HUDSON (CBS) – Two people were arrested after a call for a burning odor led police to shut down an alleged meth lab.

Firefighters responded to a fire alarm about 4:30 Sunday afternoon in a building at 11 Lake St. where smoke was coming from an apartment, Hudson police Chief David Stephens said.

They first suspected it was burning food, but once inside they discovered methamphetamine cooking on the stove, Stephens said.

Ronald Royse, 46, a resident of the apartment building, and Joanna Miles, 44, were arrested and charged with possessing and manufacturing a Class B illegal drug, the chief said.

gas masks
Authorities donned gas masks to investigate the alleged meth lab. (WBZ-TV)

Stephens said the situation was very dangerous, requiring the bomb squad to remove the illegal substances to prevent an explosion or fire.

"According to the bomb squad, if it did explode they would have had a major fire inside the building," Stephens said.

He described the 96-unit apartment building as a mix of low-income and elderly residents.

evacuees
Residents were evacuated from the building. (WBZ-TV)

The roughly 150 people living in the apartments were evacuated to a nearby school. There were no reports of injuries.

"It just goes to show you it can happen anywhere," Stephens said.

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