Byline: Scott J. Croteau

WORCESTER - An hourlong standoff ended without injury yesterday afternoon after a man facing eviction from his home was disarmed by a police lieutenant and taken to a local hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

Sgt. Christopher J. George said police were

notified by a concerned friend about 1 p.m. that a man living at 45 Dartmouth St. was acting strangely. Officers, as well as EMS ambulance and Fire Department personnel, found that the occupant had barricaded himself in the home, police said. Officer John L. Bossolt was first to arrive and determined quickly the situation was serious and negotiations would occur.

"His intention was to burn the house down with him in it," Sgt. George said.

The sergeant said officers talked to talk to the man, who lived on the first floor and is 64 years old. He allegedly told them he was prepared to ignite four propane containers. At one point, a moving van arrived on the street, which appeared to make the man even more despondent.

During the ordeal, the man apparently held one of the propane tanks near the window. The tank was hissing and appeared to be open, police spokesman Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst said.

Lt. Timothy J. O'Connor talked to the man and persuaded him to let go of the tank and hand it to him, Sgt. Hazelhurst said.

About 2 p.m., Sgt. George said, officers forced their way through a door at the home.

"We believe he made some kind of motion to start a fire," Sgt. George said.

Lt. O'Connor knocked down the back door and found the man holding a foot-long knife to his own chest. A piece of paper was also on fire near the propane and the lieutenant put it out.

"Lt. O'Connor talked to him and got close enough to the knife to pull it away," Sgt. George said. He then subdued the man.

Sgt. George said officers learned that the man had recently been through eviction proceedings and was supposed to be out of the house.

Emergency vehicles were parked all along the street, including gas company trucks and firetrucks in case the propane was ignited.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: A police officer talks on his cell phone at 45 Dartmouth St., where a resident threatened to burn down the house. On the second floor, another man looks out a window to survey the scene.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/CHRISTINE PETERSON