Alert closes part of street (+video)

Part of Clayton Rd was cordoned off as emergency services, including a hazardous materials unit, attended a house.

A street had to be cordoned off and a hazardous materials unit called when police searched a Rotorua house yesterday.

About six police cars, three fire appliances and the hazardous materials command unit attended the incident on Clayton Rd, near the intersection with Spencer St, about 2.30pm.

Five people were seen to be escorted from the house by police, before they underwent decontamination by the fire service's hazardous materials unit.

CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith told the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday police did not yet know what they were dealing with.

"As a result of police getting a search warrant, we took precautions because of items we found at the address and are continuing to investigate, but now there is no danger to anyone."

No charges had been laid, he said.

Nearby resident Peter Johnston was on his way home when the cordon was put up.

His house, with his wife inside, was inside the cordoned area.

Mr Johnston had lived in Rotorua for more than 40 years, he said.

"It's the first time I have seen anything like this before."

An emergency services worker at the scene said a chemical substance could be smelt in the air.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said the incident was unusual for the street.

"I have never seen anything like this before."