‘Hot zone’ in suburbia after raid uncovers ‘nuclear’ material

An apartment block in suburban Sydney has been marked as a “hot zone” after a federal raid reportedly uncovered radioactive material.

Border Force descended on a home in the complex on Kelsey Street, in the suburb of Arncliffe in Sydney’s south, on Thursday morning.

Media report that officers were looking for something else when they made the radioactive discovery.

Channel 10 reports the material was a uranium isotope and mercury.

The network also reports that the man at the centre of the raid was a member of Border Force.

The residential block has been cordoned off with ‘hot zone’ warning tape which has put the neighbourhood on edge.

The orange-and-red tape has skull and crossbones symbols on it and warns the public: ‘Contaminated Area Do Not Enter’.

Border Force released a statement confirming the operation, conducted in conjunction with NSW emergency services.

However Border Force has not confirmed whether the material that was taken from the property by officers in Hazmat suits was radioactive.

It said all appropriate safety measures were being implemented.

“People in vicinity of the location are urged to follow all directions from emergency services,” Border Force said.

Neighbours said they were still in the dark about what was going on.

One resident told the Guardian that police were remaining tight-lipped.

“To have border force and guys walking out hazmat suits and that, it’s a bit scary,” he said.

“You don’t know what’s going on and the police won’t tell you anything. No one has said anything.

“But I’m assuming it’s serious when you’re blocking off the street and telling residents to leave their houses.”