Stand-off keeps residents from homes
Police charge man following days of drama on street
Dozens of Levin residents were forced from their homes for more than a day when a police operation required their evacuations. The situation began on Thursday afternoon last week when police cordoned off Bledisloe St, evacuating neighbouring people from their homes following a call-out to a property on the street.
After a night and day had passed with police unable to access the property and no resolution, smoke and flames were seen coming from the property on Friday night.
Fire and Emergency services turned a hose on the house from the road outside, subduing the blaze.
Police eventually managed to enter the property where a man was found suffering from smoke inhalation and was stretchered out.
Most, but not all, nearby residents were evacuated. Horowhenua District Council co-ordinated a response that found emergency accommodation for those that needed it.
They were allowed to return to their properties late on Friday night, after spending more than 30 hours away from their homes.
There was a mixture of frustration and concern among residents.
Diane, who did not want to share her surname, chose to sleep the night with her husband in the car, not expecting the stand-off to last as long as it did. Evacuating without extra clothes or blankets, they turned the car heater on every now and then for warmth, but only got “about two hours” sleep.
An early childhood educator, she had managed to find alternative placement for children under her care that morning.
An evacuation zone was set up which kept onlookers well away from the house at the centre of the drama.
Meanwhile, nearby business owners were left ruing lost business on Thursday night, after being caught up in the evacuation zone and being told to shut their doors at 5pm.
Nearby business owners were left ruing lost business on Thursday night, after being caught up in the evacuation zone and being told to shut their doors at 5pm.
Bledisloe Dairy owner Tushar Patel said he lost hours of valuable trade, while Josh Larsen estimated he lost $700 in revenue from his vape shop on what was traditionally one his busiest nights of the week.
The evacuation zone was moved further down the street by Friday morning, allowing shop owners to open and continue trading.
Manawatū area commander Inspector Sarah Stewart said on Wednesday a 62-year-old Levin man had been charged with threatens to kill, causing harm by posting digital communication, arson, and possession of an offensive weapon.
The man had been released from hospital and was remanded in custody, scheduled to reappear in Levin District Court on August 31.
Stewart said investigations relating to the incident remained ongoing, and would not comment further.
With charges having been laid, the Horowhenua Chronicle is limited in what it can report on the matter.