THE suspected suicide of a St Albans man sparked a major chemical alert this evening, when potentially lethal substances were found in his home.

Police were called at about 2pm after reports were received about the welfare of a man in his 20s.

At about 4pm officers forced their way into his Hatfield Road home and found him dead.

It was then that the suspicious substances were discovered and the fire and ambulance services were called.

Dozens of police officers, firefighters and ambulance personnel surrounded the scene this evening as specialist crews wearing protective bio-hazard suits searched the building.

Onlookers watched on in bewilderment as a large inflatable decontamination archway was erected in the middle of the road.

Heavy traffic also formed by the Morrisons supermarket as the road was cordoned off.

It is not yet known what, if anything, was found in the property.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has made no further comment.