An urgent job was called in Wollongong on Friday when a 33-year-old man allegedly threatened to set himself alight at a Department of Housing building on Rawson Street.
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Wollongong Police Inspector Phil O’Neil said the road was closed off while police, NSW Fire and NSW Ambulance personnel responded.
NSW Fire and Rescue crews first received a call at 11.26am, and were told the man had been threatening to blow himself up.
Emergency services were able to stop the man, who was allegedly holding a can of flammable liquid, before he poured it over himself.
The building was evacuated, and fire crews ventilated the building to ensure there was no flammable gas build-up.
“Fortunately he was arrested before it got too far,” Insp O’Neil said.
The man was taken to Wollongong Station and was charged with affray and threatening to destroy or damage property.
