Officer sprayed with ‘unknown substance’ in hours-long standoff

Police have confirmed an officer was taken to hospital during an hours-long standoff at a Toowoomba home.

A five-four standoff in South Toowoomba ended peacefully after tactical officers from the Queensland Police Special Emergency Response Team managed to enter the house and take a man into custody. Photo: Jarrard Potter.

Tactical officers from the Public Safety Response Team armed with riot shields have taken one man into custody after forcing their way into a Ruthven Street home.

Flames and smoke could be seen from the home as officers entered, with two fire units responding and on scene.

The man has been taken to hospital and no charged have been laid.

Police at the scene of the Ruthven Street incident.

The man who was inside the home was removed and put onto a stretcher.

Police closed Long Street in South Toowoomba between Ruthven and Parkinson Streets while they responded to the incident that began on Wednesday morning.

Police confirmed an officer was taken to hospital after they were sprayed with an “unknown substance”.

Officers were earlier seen using a megaphone to speak to someone inside a property.

Stores at the shopping centre between the two streets were not been advised to close their doors.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman earlier said paramedics were on “standby”.