Residents living near a waste management site in northern Tasmania have been told to stay indoors and shut their homes to air from outside due to a hazardous material incident.

On Tuesday at 7:36pm, Tasmanian authorities issued an alert for residents living near Kelcey Tier Road, Spreyton, near Devonport in the state’s north, to “close all doors, windows, and vents, and turn air conditioners to recirculate or off” until the threat had passed.

“Exposure to this material may present a danger. There is no risk of exposure to the general public at this time.”

“Non-residents” were advised to “stay away from the affected areas”.

Fire authorities said several chemical drums at the Veolia waste management facility in Kelcey Tier Road were found to be “deteriorating”.

People in the affected area are urged to check the TasAlert website for the latest information regarding the incident.