TWO people, including a police officer, needed hospital treatment when they were overcome by toxic fumes.

A full-scale chemical alert was launched on Sunday morning (Aug 29) after a rag covered in a mystery yellow powder was shoved through the letterbox of a house in Sumner Avenue, Ainsworth.

The powder caused a woman in the house to suffer from headaches, dizziness and nausea. The police officer suffered similar symptoms when he was called to the house by the distressed woman.

Both victims were given oxygen treatment by paramedics at the scene before they were taken to Fairfield General Hospital as a precaution.

Firefighters had to bring in specialist teams to establish exactly what the powder was and two officers wearing chemical suits and breathing apparatus removed the rag for analysis. Tests on the yellow powder proved inconclusive.

Two people from Ainsworth were later arrested in connection with the incident. They have since been bailed by police pending further investigations.