Shocked Northolt residents have spoken of their terror after being evacuated during a three-day stand off between police and a man inside a home.
The incident in Wood End Lane came to an end on Sunday night (October 23) when police entered a property and arrested a man on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis, affray and offences under the explosives act.
Officers believed the man, who locked himself inside, had "petrol and combustible material" leading to the evacuation of 80 nearby residents.
Next door neighbour Sergio Cabrera, who said the arrested man was already living at the property when he moved in six years ago, was forced to evacuate at around 5am on Saturday morning (October 22).
He added: "In the morning the police called and then took us to a van.
"I then stayed at my friends house.
"I'm still digesting this news, it is a surprise.
"We [Mr Cabrera and his partner] had a good relationship with him, he seemed friendly
"He was always helping and he would give us a hand trimming trees, nothing out of the ordinary - this is a shock to us.
"He just seemed like a normal guy.
"I didn't believe it at first, I didn't expect that in this area."
Mr Cabrera added that his next-door neighbour, who lived on his own, owned four Rottweiler dogs and rejected reports they were aggressive animals, instead claiming they were friendly.
Windows at the front and back of the house were smashed, with curtains, pillows and ladders lying in the both the front and back gardens.
During the stand off, officers had cordoned off an area of around 200-metres, which meant residents and shop owners were unable to return.
Northolt Leisure Centre car park was also blocked off as part of the Ealing Met's operation in Eastcote Lane North.
Deepak Thaker, who runs the nearby Clique Rental Laboratory, said he was unable to enter his shop on Saturday (October 22) which he has run for 25 years.
He added: "I was upset because I had a lot of work to do and patients to see.
"I will have to make up for it.
"I've been here for 25 years and it's the first time this sort of thing has happened - never on this scale."
Abdul Rashad, who was visiting his ex-wife at the time of evacuation, was forced to stay in Northolt Leisure Centre over the weekend.
He added: "We were told to go to Northolt Leisure Centre.
"There were school children and babies.
"The mum and dad were anxious.
"We did not know when we would be allowed to go (back home)."
