Emergency services have found exposed phosphorus at a property in Dunedin.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said a "quantity of exposed phosphorus" had been found.
Crews were in attendance and were figuring out the best course of action.
Police were in attendance and the area was being cordoned off.
A police spokeswoman said police were assisting with traffic control at the site.
David St was closed and there were cordons in place at Forbury Rd and Thorn St.
Residents nearby were advised to say indoors.
A fire and emergency spokeswoman said the phosphorus was found in Rutherford St.
Crews would use an excavator to expose the phosphorus and dilute it with large amounts of water.
Phosphorus will spontaneously ignite if exposed to air. Phosphorus ignites at approximately 30degC in air; the ignition temperature is higher when the air is dry.
Just before 7pm, MetService had the temperature in Dunedin at 31.1degC, making it the warmest in the country. The humidity was at 39 percent.
A Fenz spokeswoman said the chemical had been diluted and there had been very little gas come off the material.
