A MAN has been arrested after a chemical alert at a house in Southampton.

Police say they received reports that “potentially dangerous” chemicals were being stored at the house in Butts Road, Sholing.

A large number of police cars rushed to the house at about 3pm yesterday and the property was cordoned off overnight.

Officers seized a number of items which are being assessed, and evacuated the house as a precaution, although a spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said “at this time it’s not believed the chemicals pose any danger to anyone else”.

Experts were due to carry out further investigations at the property overnight, and police officers stood guard while it was sealed off.

It is believed that a woman and her son live at the address.

Residents reacted with shock to the large-scale police operation, with one man saying: “It’s a bit of a shock, I’ve lived here seven years and I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Police say a 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.