Homes evacuated after police find chemicals in Newtown home

The bomb squad was called in to determine if a cache of chemicals found at a Toowoomba property posed a danger to the public.

Police have established a 100 metre exclusion zone around a suspected meth lab in a home near the intersection of Taylor Street and McGregor Street.

POLICE have arrested a 38-year-old Wilsonton man after suspicious chemicals were found in a Taylor Street home.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said officers went to the home about 9.45pm on Wednesday but the chemicals were not located until Thursday morning.

Police have investigating a suspected meth lab on Taylor Street.

The discovery led to police locking down dozens of homes in Taylor, Boxsall, Hamilton and Nathan Streets about 4pm on Thursday. The exclusion zone was established under the Public Safety Preservation Act and remained in effect until 8.30pm while the Explosive Ordnance Team assessed the chemicals.

Several homes in the area were evacuated and police established a crime scene.

The matter was initially reported as a suspected drug lab but it was later revealed that the man is alleged to have been producing fireworks.

The exclusion zone includes parts of Taylor, Boxsall, Hamilton and Nathan Street.

He is charged with three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two weapons offences, one count of manufacturing explosives, one count of possessing explosives and one count of failing to dispose of a syringe. The man was granted bail and will face the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on March 22.

The public can report suspected drug activity by phoning Policelink on 131 444.