A COUPLE have been arrested after an explosion at a house in Hampshire which police believe may have been used as a drugs lab.

Police and firefighters swarmed on a home in Erskine Road, Winchester, after a pressure cooker exploded on the hob at 2pm on Sunday.

Smoke billowed out of the windows, neighbours said, with a children's birthday party next door.

Once the blaze was under control police searched the house, seizing drug paraphernalia.

The man and a 22-year-old woman, said by neighbours to be his girlfriend, were arrested on suspicion of causing an explosion likely to endanger life or cause serious injury. Neighbours and the man's brother, who came to the scene later, said the man had been pepper sprayed.

Both suspects are in custody.

The ambulance service said the man was arrested due to "substances in the property".

No one was seriously hurt in the blaze but the house's interior was damaged. A man in his 30s suffered minor injuries.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was caused by a pressure cooker overheating on the hob.

"It got a bit hot and it just went bang," a spokesman said.

Around eight officers were at the scene with investigators in white suits until late in the evening.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokeswoman said: "A substance was found at the scene and was examined by the HAZMAT team from Hampshire Fire and Rescue who determined it was not a hazardous material.

"We would like to reassure residents that there is no wider risk to the community and as a result no evacuation has been deemed necessary.

"No one was injured. Some damage was caused to the inside of the property.

"A man and a woman from Winchester have been detained in connection with this incident."

A further statement at 10.35pm added: "Initial investigations indicate that the property may be linked with the production of drugs.

"Enquiries are ongoing and items including drug paraphernalia have been seized from the property."