An alleged drug cook has blown the door off an oven, sparking the evacuation of a multi-level apartment building on the Gold Coast.

Police say a batch of drugs exploded about 5am (AEST) today, sending the oven door flying and activating the Broadbeach building's sprinkler system.

Residents told 9NEWS hundreds of pills fell from the third floor of the building after the explosion.

It is unclear if they were thrown or if they were expelled by the force of the blast.

Officers arrested a 23-year-old man who tried the flee the scene. He's being interviewed.

No one was hurt in the drama.

The fire service said the explosion sparked a small fire but the building's sprinkler system put it out.