A teenager has been arrested after police found "potentially hazardous substances" at an address in Northumberland.
Officers were called to South View in Glanton after Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service alerted them to a blaze at the property.
There they say they made the discovery.
As a precaution, a number of nearby residents have been evacuated from their homes.
Police specialist search teams and the Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal unit were drafted in.
According to a force spokesperson, "an investigation is ongoing to identify the substances" but there is no "wider threat to the public".
Four properties had to be evacuated, a 50m cordon put in place as a precaution, and detectives were seen going door-to-door speaking to people.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident.
We had a reporter on the scene to bring us live updates:
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Key Events
Shock as Northumberland village put on lockdown
Residents have spoken of their shock after police and a military bomb disposal unit descended on their village.
Glanton, a tiny village in Northumberland of no more than 100 houses, a post office and a pub, was put on lockdown by police on Wednesday.
The drama started the previous evening when Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire at a house on South View.
But once inside, a “number of potentially hazardous substances” were found, Northumbria Police confirmed.
More on the day’s events and emergency response.
Four homes evacuated during police investigation
Northumbria Police have released an update on the Glanton emergency incident.
A joint investigation with a number of partners including the local authority is under way and inquiries to identify the substances are ongoing.
Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Pitt, Northumbria Police, said: “To best protect the public, a 50m cordon has been put in place and four homes have been evacuated as a result.
“There is no wider threat to the public however, our officers remain in the area to carry out inquiries and offer reassurance to residents.
“A 17-year-old male has been arrested and remains in police custody at this time.
“I also want to take the time to thank the members of the public who have kindly offered up refreshments to our staff and officers, and those of our partners, who have worked tirelessly and professionally in order to ensure the safety of the public- it is incredibly kind and greatly appreciated.”
Anyone with any concerns is asked to speak to a nearby officer or call police on 101.
Full story on village lockdown
We will have a full story on what has happened and the reaction of villagers soon.
British Red Cross offering support to neighbours
The British Red Cross has been helping out at the emergency in Glanton.
Sam Samwell, British Red Cross senior emergency response officer for the North East said:
British Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing support to residents after the discovery of a number of potentially hazardous substances at a property in the Glanton area of Northumberland.
We have an emergency vehicle at the scene, and are on hand to provide practical and emotional support at a rest centre if needed.
The Red Cross responds to an emergency every four hours across the UK, working with partners to help people in crisis.
Substances have been tested
Police have been on the scene since 9pm last night.
The ‘potentially hazardous’ substances found in a home have not been publicly identified.
A 17-year-old boy has been questioned by police.
Bomb squad working with police
The bomb squad has now left the scene but the disposal team was working with police officers earlier today.
Part of the village has been cordoned off all day as the investigation continues.
Forensic team
Forensic investigators wearing body suits have been working at the scene behind the cordon.
'Nothing much happens here'
One resident told Sean:
“Nothing much happens here. I didn’t hear a thing last night. I’m very surprised - there hasn’t been this much action up here in donkey’s years.”
Bomb disposal team still in the area
Our reporter can not see what is going on from the cordon but says there is a lot of activity still.
Village hall opened to residents
A resident has told us that Breamish Village Hall in nearby Powburn was opened to those who had been evacuated but it is understood that nobody actually needed to use it.
Many have gone to neighbours homes or have gone to work today.
Statement from the ambulance service
The North East Ambulance Service were in fact called out to Glanton last night.
A spokeswoman said:
“We were called at 8.29pm to an address on South View to reports of a fire at a house.
“We dispatched an ambulance crew and a community paramedic and treated three patients at the scene.
“We stood down at 10pm.”
First picture from the scene
A van, which appears to be one from the bomb disposal unit, can be seen parked nearby:
Statement from the fire service
A spokesperson for Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service said:
“Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service attended a small house fire in Glanton last night, which was dealt with quickly by attending crews.
“A police investigation is ongoing.”
Paramedics weren't called to incident
A spokesman for the North East Ambulance Service said that it does not appear that they were called to the scene in Glanton last night.
Full statement from police
A spokesman said:
“At 8.58pm yesterday (Tuesday), police were alerted by Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service of a fire inside an address on South View, Glanton.
“Officers attended and a number of potentially hazardous substances were found inside the property.
“An investigation is ongoing to identify the substances.
“A 17-year-old male has been arrested and is currently in police custody.
“A cordon is currently in place as a precaution and a small number of properties have been evacuated.
“Officers remain in the area to carry out enquiries and offer reassurance to residents.
“There is no wider threat to the public.
“Anyone with concerns is asked to speak to a nearby officer.”
No risk to the public
Despite the evacuations, officers stress that there is “no wider threat to the public”.
Residents evacuated
Police say that a cordon remains in place and as a precaution, some nearby residents have been evacuated from their homes.
What is happening?
A teenage boy has been arrested after police found “potentially hazardous substances” at an address in Northumberland.
Officers were called to South View in Glanton after Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service alerted them to a blaze at the property last night.
We have a reporter heading to the scene to bring us live updates.
