A MAN was involved in a stand-off with police in Blackburn after allegedly threatening to blow himself up.

The emergency services were called to Walsh Street shortly after 6.30pm on Monday after neighbours became concerned about his behaviour.

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Nearby residents were evacuated from their homes and the road was blocked for more than an hour.

Police have confirmed that it received reports of a man threatening to harm himself and set fire to his property.

A 42-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of threatening to damage property or endanger life and was in custody yesterday.

Witness Marc England, who lives nearby, said: “I saw the fire engines turn up so I went outside to have a look.

“The emergency services blocked the road for a while when it was all going on.

“It seemed to me to have been a bit of a domestic and I think his partner went to the pub.

“He was left in the house and then the police and ambulance service came.

“The neighbours were all taken out of their homes and brought to a safe distance.

“The police were outside for about an hour and then asked the fire service to knock down the door.”

Lancashire Police have confirmed that negotiators talked to the man for more than an hour before going into the property.

The identity of the man has not been released by the police. It is believed that he did not suffer any physical injuries.

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: “We were called at about 6.30pm last night to an address on Walsh Street, Blackburn, following reports a man was threatening to harm himself and set fire to his property.

“A 42-year-old man from Blackburn was arrested on suspicion of threatening to destroy/damage property and endanger life, and is currently in custody.”