A man has been  arrested over the discovery of a clandestine drug laboratory on the south coast, with the situation so potentially volatile , fire and explosive  safety experts were placed on stand by.

The lab was discovered after police raided a house in Kenny Street Wollongong.

A search of the kitchen of the house found chemicals police believe could have been pre-cursor material used in drug manufacture.

Fire and Rescue New South Wales HAZMAT specialists assisted as the material was removed from the house.

Police also found several antique flintlock style firearms.

The man is facing a string of fire arm and drug related charges, and has been ordered to appear before a future sitting of Wollongong Court.