A man has been arrested under the explosives act after he threatened to set fire to himself in a car.
Firefighters from Ilford were called at about 8pm last night after the man made the threat in St John’s Road, Newbury Park. The fire crew remained on standby at the scene for about an hour while trained police negotiators spoke to the man and eventually overpowered him.
The 42-year-old man, who was found with a quantity of petrol, remains in custody today.
Jim Jobson, watch manager at Ilford Fire Station said: “Fortunately this is a very rare incident.
“We were there in case he did set himself alight, but the police managed to control the situation.”
Did you witness this accident? Call the newsdesk on 020 8477 3821.
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