The siege started when a row allegedly broke out between a couple in Penshaw Gardens, East Stanley yesterday. It is thought the couple involved were in their early 20s . The woman, who suffered minor injuries, was then locked out of the house. It is claimed a man inside then smashed a window and picked up a long kitchen knife threatening to cause more damage to the house. Police and fire crews were called in at 4.15pm as there was also a fear there was petrol inside the house. A police spokesman said: “Initially the officers mounted a containment operation. “They surrounded the house and a negotiator was called in.” The stand-off came to an end about three hours later when the man came out of a downstairs window. He was arrested by armed officers who used a Taser to subdue him. The spokesman said that when the man was arrested he was in possession of a knife. He is now being questioned about the incident. Tom Simms, firefighter for County Durham “Someone was locked in a building and there was a risk of them pouring petrol all over the premises which is why we were on standby.” Fire crews from High Handenhold were called to the scene but on arrival they found no petrol in the house. There was a can holding meths but this had not been not used or tampered with. Residents living in the quiet street which overlooks a community green spoke of their shock today at the frightening incident. A resident, who asked not to be named, told of his fears. He said: “There were fire engines parked up here last night for hours. “I don’t know what was going on but I heard someone had locked himself in the house and was refusing to come out.” | 
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