SINGAPORE - A 36-year-old man was arrested after he locked himself in a flat in Ghim Moh with his six-year-old son for more than three hours on Friday (June 1).

Police said they responded to a call for assistance at Block 18 Ghim Moh Road at about 2.30pm.

"Upon arrival, officers conducted checks on a 36-year-old man," said the police spokesman.

"The man did not heed officers' instructions and locked himself in the house," he added.

The man, who had an outstanding warrant of arrest, was subsequently arrested after three and a half hours, said police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

SCDF said it received a call regarding height rescue at the location, from a unit on the sixth floor.

A fire engine, Red Rhino, ambulance and three support vehicles were sent to the scene, said the SCDF spokesman.

The Straits Times understands that the man had locked himself inside the flat with his six-year-old son.

Reports by Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao on Saturday and from eyewitnesses who submitted accounts to Stomp said the man had a stand-off with the police for at least three hours.

An inflatable safety life air pack was also seen at the foot of the block, according to photos sent to Stomp.

According to Lianhe Wanbao, the man got into an argument with several social workers who had visited the unit and became agitated.

After officers arrived at the scene, the man did not calm down. Instead, he was heard shouting and threatening to throw his son down the building, said a resident quoted by the Chinese newspaper.

It was only after a police negotiator arrived at the scene that the man began to calm down and surrendered himself to the authorities, reported Wanbao.

ST understands that the child was unhurt.

Police investigations are ongoing.