Five house standoff with police ends with man brought into custody

The five-hour stand off involved armed police storming a home when flames and smoke could be seen inside. Now he is facing a raft of charges.

Tactical officers from the Queensland Police Special Emergency Response Team at the scene of a South Toowoomba home during a five-hour stand-off. Photo: Jarrard Potter.

A welfare check on a man suffering from a mental health episode sparked a five-hour standoff with police in South Toowoomba.

The stand-off began about 7am on Wednesday with officers responding to a mental health incident where the 59-year-old occupant of the home was threatening self harm, and had barricaded himself inside his Ruthven Street apartment.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said a police officer first responding to the incident was sprayed in the eyes with bleach and was taken to Toowoomba Hospital with an eye irritation.

How the South Toowoomba stand-off unfolded

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After hours of negotiations with the occupant failed, armed specialist officers from the Public Safety Response Team wielding riot shields arrived about 1.14pm and forced their way into the home to end a five-hour standoff.

Flames and smoke could be seen from the South Toowoomba home as officers entered, with two fire units responding about 1.30pm yesterday.

The man used kerosene to set fire to his door in an attempt to prevent police from entering his home, the spokeswoman said.

A man was seen yelling and screaming as he was removed from the home and taken into police custody before he was transported under police guard to Toowoomba Hospital.

Darling Downs City Patrol Group Inspector Paul James said police called in the RSRT units because of concerns the man had access to knives or weapons.

“He was given every opportunity to surrender to police,” Insp James said.

“There was a chance for negotiation but it became evident he was not interested in talking.”

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said the occupant suffered no serious injuries and was in a stable condition.

The man was detained at the Toowoomba Hospital Acute Mental Health Unit and was later charged with 10 offences.

They include five counts of acts intended to resist or prevent lawful arrest and one count each of arson, serious assault of a police officer, obstructing police, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing drug utensils.

He will face Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Bryan Shearer, a South Toowoomba resident who knew both the occupant and his housemate, said the incident was concerning.

“It’s a bit of a worry to have something like this happen so close to home, it was a pretty serious incident,” he said.