A house has been taped off in Silverdale Road and a man taken to hospital after a homemade firework exploded

The 20-year-old man is today being treated at a specialist burns unit as a result of an incident with a homemade firework.

Hampshire police have confirmed that they were called by South Central Ambulance Service who responded to an emergency call at 9.30pm last night.

Officers have remained on the scene at the property on Silverdale Road throughout the night and this morning and have sealed off the property.

A spokesman confirmed that a search was being undertaken by officers along with members of the Ordnance Disposal team.

She added: “The search is taking place to ensure that there is nothing inside the property that poses any further risk to the public.”

She added that the incident is not being treated as anything to do with an act of terrorism and officers were there simply to help facilitate the search.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said they had been called to the address and had taken a man to hospital with severe injuries to his hand.

She said they had been called at 7.15pm, before the police were alerted at 9.30pm.

The home on Silverdale Road close to Archers Road in the city centre remains cordoned off this afternoon.

Several police vehicles are on the scene and blue and white incident tape is strung across the gate of the terraced home.

An eye witness said: “I just came out of home this morning and saw a lot of police activity I have no idea how long they have been here for but it looks like they are carrying out quite a significant search.”

The casualty was taken for treatment at Odstock specialist burns unit where he is continuing to receive treatment for his injuries today.