Neighborhood evacuated; man arrested after gas explosion threat

By BOB MOREHEAD

BGNN senior staff writer

BARBERTON  A tense and potentially explosive standoff on 15th Street NW in Barberton was resolved peacefully the evening of March 18.

Police got a call at 5:16 p.m. about a domestic situation at the address, near the intersection with Brady Avenue. Police arrived and found a strong odor of natural gas permeating the neighborhood and a 49-year-old man in the house behaving erratically. The man allegedly told police he’d cut the gas line in the house and threatened to blow it up.

Police secured the house and evacuated the neighborhood and the street department closed surrounding roads. A technician with gas company Enbridge tuned off gas to the house.

While officers tried to talk with him, he reportedly continued to threaten harm to both them and himself. The Barberton SWAT team was activated and after two hours of talking to a negotiator and officers, the man surrendered and was arrested without further incident.

Paramedics treated him at the scene for medical issues and he was taken to Summa Barberton Hospital for further treatment and an evaluation. The fire department boarded up the house and neighbors were allowed to go home at 7:50 p.m. Officials continued the investigation.

“The Barberton Police Department would like to thank the neighborhood, Enbridge and FirstEnergy personnel, the Barberton Fire Department and Barberton Street Department for a safe resolution to this incident,” Barberton Police Officer Marty Eberhart said.