Police, ambulance, fire crews and a tactical unit attended an incident in Ramsgate last night (December 29) where a man was threatening to harm himself and others.
Police officers were called by paramedics for assistance at 9.17pm after being unable to deal with a man inside a flat in Chichester Road.
A witness said he understood boiling water had been thrown at paramedics. Police and a trained negotiator were brought in and residents in nearby flats were evacuated.
The witness said: “Ambulance and then police turned up and then tactical support and the fire brigade. Then people in that block, including children and an elderly lady, were evacuated and just after 1.30am he jumped from the window and they took him to hospital.
“It was about 2am when people were allowed back in the flats. The road was closed until around 2.15am.”
A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, affray and assaulting an emergency worker.
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 9.17pm on Friday 29 December by South East Coast Ambulance Service which requested assistance in responding to an incident inside a flat in Chichester Road, Ramsgate.
“Officers, along with a trained police negotiator, attempted to engage with a man inside the address, who was threatening to hurt himself and others.
“Due to these threats, residents in nearby flats were evacuated as a matter of precaution. During the incident the man sustained self-inflicted injuries, not deemed life threatening.
“He was taken to a local hospital and has since been transferred to a hospital in London.
“The man has been formally arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, affray and assaulting an emergency worker.”
A referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct which is standard procedure following an incident of this nature.