Devizes man, 80, held on suspicion of arson with intent following serious incident

An elderly man remains in police custody following an incident in Devizes yesterday.

Wiltshire Police were called to reports a naked man was setting fires and waving a knife around in Waiblingen Way at around 5pm.

A large number of police officers, two fire crews and an ambulance raced to the address to deal with the serious incident, as first reported by Wiltshire 999s.

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Several threats were made to local residents and emergency workers during the disorder. He reportedly threatened to stab people if they entered his home.

The man, in his 80s, was arrested more than an hour after 999 workers arrived at the scene. He remains in custody this morning, held on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

A police spokesperson said: “Our officers attended an address in Waiblingen Way in Devizes at 5.15pm yesterday (05/03) following reports of an elderly man making threats with a knife and setting light to paper in his home.

“A man, in his 80s, was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and is currently in police custody where he will receive appropriate support.”

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