Firefighters call in bomb squad after house blaze

Bomb disposal experts, faces obscured for security reasons, inspect chemicals at the house yesterday. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

A house fire that forced the evacuation of a family and led to the discovery of chemicals, a firearm and ammunition under their house is being treated as suspicious.

The family of five were at their Roberton Rd home in Avondale on Tuesday night when the mother noticed smoke drifting up past the kitchen window about 6pm.

Her husband went outside and saw flames coming from underneath the house. He rushed back inside and got his wife and three children to safety.

Fire Safety Officer Ray Coleman said firefighters arrived to find the house in flames and the fire took some time to extinguish.

As firefighters started investigating after the fire they came across bottled chemicals inside a metal chest under the house.

The firefighters retreated and called in the bomb squad.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said a rifle and ammunition were also found under the house - which led police to evacuate neighbours while a robot was sent in to investigate yesterday morning.

Once the rifle and ammunition were removed, forensic scientists moved in to investigate further.

It is not known if the chemicals, firearm and ammunition belonged to the family.

Residents were allowed back into their homes about 1pm when the street reopened.

Mr Coleman said the fire was being treated as suspicious.