A tense siege in suburban Queensland has been diffused with the arrest of a 43-year-old man who had barricaded himself inside a house with a weapon.
An ’emergency situation’ was declared on Hood Street at Urangan, in Hervey Bay, about 4.30am on Friday following a welfare check at 3am.
Hundreds of residents were ordered to stay indoors as police negotiated with the man, who was eventually arrested shortly after 10am.
Children had been inside the home and the man had armed himself with a bladed weapon, according to local media reports.
Police managed to get the children out of the single storey brick house to safety but continued to negotiate with the man for another few hours.
Several police officers along with paramedics were seen stationed around the property.
A trailer with a large toolbox could also be seen in the driveway with a ‘for sale’ sign perched on it.
‘Upon arrival, police began negotiations with a male resident at the address,’ Queensland Police said.
‘An emergency situation was declared around 4.30am.’
The lockdown was declared under the Public Safety Preservation Act.
The area included Hood Street, Esplanade, Marine Court and Pulgul Street.
‘Members of the public were advised to avoid the area, and those within the exclusion zone were asked to remain indoors until further notice,’ police said.
Traffic diversions were also in place but the restrictions have now been lifted.
The man remains in custody and no charges have yet been laid.
