Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a gas explosion in Felixstowe.

Police were contacted by the ambulance service just before 9.40am yesterday to reports that a man at a property at The Walk in Felixstowe had said he had taken a quantity of drugs and was threatening to dislocate a gas pipe.

He was becoming aggressive and it was thought he may have a hammer.

Homes were evacuated as police negotiators tried to engage with the man.

Fire crews also arrived at the scene as a precaution.

At around 10.50am hammering was heard from inside the premises and a gas pipe was fractured.

A police spokeswoman said: “There was a small explosion within the property and entry was forced. The fire service dealt with the fire, and the gas was turned off, but the man had barricaded himself into a bedroom.

“Two men – a 45-year-old and a 47-year-old - eventually came out of the bedroom and both were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.”

The 47-year-old was taken into custody after being treated by paramedics at the scene while the 45-year-old was taken to hospital.

The man, from the Stowmarket area, is being treated for burns which are thought not to be life-threatening.

The 47-year-old, from Great Yarmouth, has now been bailed to return to police on September 9.

The spokeswoman added: “There was some damage at the premises and there is liaison between a gas engineer, structural engineers and officials at the site. The gas engineer has capped the supply and checked the other properties that have been declared as safe. A structural assessment will take place before residents are allowed to return to their homes.”