A 51-year-old woman has been charged after an acid attack on a man in Wellington.

Police were called to a Sim St address in Johnsonville at 11.10pm yesterday.

“The victim received acid burns to an arm and clothing, and was treated by an ambulance crew at the scene,” a police spokesperson said.

The offender then fled the home before emergency services arrived, but was captured shortly after at a Kipling St property about 1.50am.

She was taken into custody without incident.

The woman, who police said is a local in the area, has been charged with throwing acid with intent to injure and is expected to appear in the Wellington District Court today.

Sleepless night after ‘commotion’

A man named George who lives in the adjoining flat said a man and woman had moved in there about a month ago and had fought loudly from the first day.

“First day they moved in they were arguing, smashing windows,” George, who has lived there for 15 years.

“At least it was on their side and not mine.”

He did not hear a fight last night but said he heard a commotion when emergency services arrived.

“I heard the cops banging on their door.

“There were two hazmat trucks and a couple of other fire engines on the scene.

George said he heard his name mentioned through the wall by a police officer and, not realizing it was the police, went outside to yell over the fence: “Oi, who the bloody hell do you want you pricks?”

He then discovered “Oh crap it’s a cop.”

George said he didn’t manage to get any sleep last night.

He said fighting couples are common in the adjoining flats, noting the previous tenants were much the same.

Another neighbour across the street did not hear anything happening last night but said he tried to stay away from the house on the corner.

He said he often heard people screaming at the house about two or three times a week.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they were called to Kipling St just after 1am to assist police.

They sent five fire trucks and four support vehicles to the scene.

A police spokesperson said inquiries were ongoing.