40 Homes Evacuated In Ashington

5 July 2011, 09:36 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police in Ashington were called to a house on Myrtle Street yesterday evening after a man threatened to harm himself at a flat.

Northumbria Police and the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service went to the scene just after 5pm on Monday evening and a number of neighbouring properties were evacuated as the man had indicated that he had turned on the gas and had threatened to ignite it.

Around 40 homes were evacuated and Hirst Park Middle School in Ashington was opened for their use.

Police arranged for electricity and gas to the address to be disconnected and officers entered the property and brought the man out safely at 9.21pm.

A 32-year-old man has been detained.

Residents who were evacuated are now back in their homes.