Houses evacuated after gelignite found

Residents in the Kalgoorlie suburb of Somerville have been evacuated after unstable sticks of gelignite were found in the front yard of a nearby property.

Local police received a call at about 4.20pm and rushed to a house on Wortley Street where they found what was initially believed to be explosives.

It has now been confirmed the suspicious items are sticks of gelignite which police say appear to be unstable and will require specialist equipment to make them safe to move.

Police have cordoned off the area surrounding the house, closing access to Wortley Street and Gatacre Drive. Some residents living near the property have been evacuated.

Bomb Response Unit officer will be at the scene throughout the night, police said.

The area will remain closed until further notice.