A man is expected to appear in court today after a six-hour stand-off with police.
About a dozen residents were evcuated from Stuart Street in Forres on Monday night after the man allegedly threatened to start a fire using petrol.
Neighbours claim they heard him shouting about his mother, who was murdered in New Elgin several years ago, while police negotiators tried to coax him out a house.
Emergency services sealed off the entrance into the cul-de-sac during the standoff that lasted about six hours, and ordered about a dozen families to leave their homes.
One neighbour, Michael Officer, said it had been “shocking” to see the drama unfold.
“It was very shocking, especially for those people who have kids and had to rush out of their house,” he said.
“It’s quite a close neighbourhood and everybody looks out for each other. A lot of neighbours were out at the time to see what was happening.
“I could hear him shouting from down the street. I heard him shouting about the police asking where they were when his mum died.”
Emergency services arrived at the scene at about 9pm on Monday.
The man was eventually arrested after climbing out of a ground floor window carrying a bottle. He was immediately surrounded by police with riot gear at about 2.30am yesterday morning.
About 12 residents from nearby homes were evacuated during the incident and a rest centre was set up at the town’s community centre.
Charlotte Ewen said: “The first we knew of it was when a policeman knocked on the door and asked us to move to the back of the house.
“We were out with blankets, big fluorescent jackets and hot water bottles until we went to the community centre.
“Seemingly the person in the house had some petrol. He was shouting and balling.”
Residents served the large team of police officers and firefighters with hot drinks during the lengthy standoff.
Gas supplies were restored yesterday morning.
A police spokeswoman said: “We were called following a disturbance due after concerns were raised about a man within a property.
“As a result a number of gas supplies for properties were disconnected and a small number of persons evacuated.”