Three Aragon residents are charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and arson after an alleged meth lab exploded Saturday night.

Aragon Police Chief Wayne Sanders said Matthew S. Bussey, 29, of 2 Aragon Road, was apparently “cooking” meth at his home between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday. A butane canister exploded, causing a fire that damaged Bussey’s home and caused him injuries that were treated at a local hospital.

Also charged in the incident are April Joy Walker, 26, also a resident of Bussey’s address, and Billy Shane Barger, 29, of 1570 Prospect Road.

Sanders said all three suspects are charged with arson in the first degree, manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, attempt and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, reckless conduct, possession of drug-related objects and obstruction of officers.

Bussey had already extinguished the fire in the home when Aragon firefighters arrived on the scene. However, police quickly identified the fire scene as a homemade meth lab and ordered all personnel out of the house.

The Rockmart Fire Department was contacted for the use of its hazardous materials cleanup team; however, the Rockmart unit is not fully operational yet. Instead, the Bartow County HazMat unit had to be called in for the cleanup and decontamination of the scene.

Sanders said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation also

arrived to take samples for testing.

From Aragon police reports:

Neighbors contacted Polk County 911 to report the fire after hearing an explosion and seeing flames “shooting from the kitchen area of the house.” Other witnesses told police that more than one individual was seen running from the house.

Aragon police officer Jason Purcell arrived on the scene and upon walking into the kitchen area immediately noticed an acidic odor that began causing a burning sensation in his nostrils. The police officer also saw several butane lighters, butane torches, glass pipes, bottles and other paraphernalia commonly associated with methamphetamine production.

Firefighters told police there were also several bottles with plastic tubing in the toilet and tub of a bathroom.

Questioned by police, Bussey reportedly admitted to manufacturing meth and identified some of the chemicals on site as including muriatic acid.

While working the scene, Purcell said Walker arrived at the residence and claimed to be unaware that Bussey had been cooking meth. When questioned about another man reportedly seen running from the house, Walker reportedly gave police a false name initially, but upon further questioning identified him as Barger.

Barger came into the Aragon Police Department the next day and turned himself in, Sanders said.

Neither Barger or Walker were injured, but Sanders said Bussey was treated for possible inhalation of fumes and for minor acid burns at the Polk Medical Center.

Emergency personnel also were checked at the hospital and cleared for exposure after taking a shower at a decontamination tent set up at the fire scene.