Man at centre of police standoff remains in hospital

The man at the centre of a 24-hour standoff with police in Levin, which ended in flames, is in a moderate condition in hospital.

Paul Kenneth Smith, 62, suffered moderate injuries and was initially in a critical condition when removed from his Bledisloe St home on Friday night when a fire ignited.

He was in a moderate condition at Palmerston North Hospital yesterday morning after being treated for smoke inhalation. Smith had barricaded himself in the house on Thursday evening, fearing eviction and amid indications he had weapons.

Armed police and emergency services responded, blocking off streets and evacuating about 80 nearby residents, while a negotiation team was brought in.

Police described it as a selfharm incident.

The cause of the blaze has yet to be confirmed.

Some residents said on Friday they had been warned of a bomb scare or chemical threat but Manawatu¯ area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart said this information had not come from police.

Residents Danny and Jacob Hoeta said they saw orange flashes, followed by smoke billowing from the house and a burning smell after 7pm on Friday.

There was a burnt hole through the roof of the home and another gaping hole could be seen through a smashed window as firefighters investigated the scene over the weekend.

Smith had called Stuff’s Manawatu¯ newsroom in an agitated state on Thursday morning, saying he was about to be evicted, that he had weapons and chemicals at the property and would resist attempts to remove him. Police were notified.

Bledisloe St residents were allowed back to their homes on Friday night but could expect a continued police presence over the coming days, police said.