SALEM, Ohio (WKBN) – A man could face charges after he called police to his own apartment in Salem. Officers said they found equipment for a meth lab inside.

It happened on the 1100 block of W. Pershing Street, which is very close to city hall, just before 10 a.m.

Neighbors said it’s been a problem for years.

“Hopefully, at some point, this town gets cleaned up,” said Jenny Carson, who lives next door.

She said many children, including her own, live in the area.

“If something like this happens and it happens wrong, and it blows up, those poor little babies’ lives are being taken.”

Officers with the Columbiana County Drug Task Force carried multiple plastic tubs and bottles from the apartment.

“Ended up finding chemicals to make methamphetamine and suspected methamphetamine oil,” said Brian McLaughlin, with the Columbiana County Drug Task Force.

Salem police got a call from a man who lives in the apartment who said men with guns were inside with him.

McLaughlin said the chemicals found in the apartment are so dangerous, it will need professional cleaning before anyone else moves in.

“They actually have to give a certification back to Salem to let them know that it is safe.”

“It’s obviously alarming,” said Tabitha Townsend, who works across the street.

She said she isn’t surprised.

“That house has been raided a couple times. I don’t know if it’s the same people. It doesn’t surprise me. This corner here seems to be a cesspool for it.”

Police said it’s the third time this year they’ve been to this building.

The man who lives in the apartment that was raided is in the hospital and could face charges.