A TODDLER wascaught up in a stand-off between police and a man who threatened police with a knife before lighting a fire inside the Kurunjang house with himself and the child barricaded inside.
Melton police officers, Victoria Police’s Critical Incident Team and Ambulance Victoria paramedics were called to the man’s Colonus Street home in Kurrunjang about 8pm after reports that a man had been assaulted during a neighbourhood dispute.
When police arrived, the man, 50, threatened them with a knife before retreating back to the house with the 18-month-old boy. A 55-year-old woman was also inside but later left of her own accord, police said.
He kept officers at bay for six hours, locking doors and making threats before lighting a fire.
Police stormed the house to arrest him shortly before 2am. A police spokeswoman said he was unfit to be interviewed, but was not injured in the raid.
The child was brought out of the house safely and police are making arrangements for his care.
Ambulance Victoria spokesman Ray Rowe said the stand off had been “long and protracted”, with two paramedics and a senior officer stationed at the scene.
– with Claire Knox
