Disgruntled customer takes a jerry can of fuel into Centrelink office and splashes it around causing a frightening lockdown
- A man poured fuel onto the floor of the Wollongong Centrelink office
- Security guards removed him and called police and the building was evacuated
- Police arrested the man nearby and he is assisting them with their inquiries
A man has caused a terrifying lockdown in a Centrelink office after walking in with a jerry can of petrol and dousing it around.
The 57-year-old entered the Wollongong Department of Human Services building on Burelli Street just after 2pm on Thursday, and poured the flammable liquid across the carpet.
Security guards removed the man and then called the police.
Customers were evacuated from the building and staff were placed into lockdown.
Police are investigating an incident at Wollongong Centrelink (pictured) shortly after 2pm Thursday
A 57-year-old man walked into the Department of Human Services building and splashed petrol across the carpet
Wollongong Police District Acting Inspector David Willis said police arrived minutes later and found the man nearby.
He was taken to Wollongong police station where he is assisting police with inquiries.
It is not yet known whether the man was in the possession of a lighter or matches or what his intentions were.
‘It’s a dangerous situation, everyone was evacuated pretty quickly, not just because of the smell but for any possible explosion as well,’ he said, the Daily Telegraph reports .
‘Quite a few people [who were in Centrelink at the time] were quite shaken up.’
The building will remain closed this afternoon while Fire and Rescue NSW rip and dry the carpet.
Police investigations continue.
The building has been closed as Fire and Rescue NSW wspend the afternoon ripping and drying the carpet