Armed police stormed a home in suburban Auckland and busted a P lab early this morning.

Inspector Tony Wakelin said a search warrant was executed on Gowing Drive, Meadowbank about 5.30am.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated and the street closed off as a "small number" of armed police and other staff entered the house, Mr Wakelin said.

A man barricaded himself inside and tried to set fire to chemicals on the premises.

Mr Wakelin said it was a volatile and dangerous situation but police were able to resolve it.

"Considering that this lab is right in the middle of a residential area, the dangers of their actions are unable to be described," Mr Wakelin said.

"They're putting themselves and their neighbours at risk.

"If that place had blown up, apart from the initial explosion, there would have been chemicals everywhere.

"It beggars belief that these idiots are doing this in a residential area."

The man and a woman who was also in the house have been taken into custody and are being decontaminated.

An animal control officer was later seen carrying a young black puppy from the house.

Police and the Fire Service said chemicals in the house indicate it was an active clan lab.

All staff involved in the operation are being decontaminated.

Gowing Drive, a quiet leafy street in the heart of Meadowbank, has since been reopened.

Meanwhile, an animal control officer has carried a young black puppy from the house.