ARMED police surrounded a flat and frightened residents were ordered to stay in their homes after gunfire broke out in a York street.

Officers were threatened with a pistol and objects were thrown at them from a first-floor window during a lengthy siege in Lowther Street, The Groves.

After several hours of negotiation, a man who had barricaded himself in a flat at Willerby House was eventually persuaded to throw the gun out of the window.

The siege ended without anyone being injured.

A 35-year-old man was arrested and was today helping police with their inquiries.

The drama began at 4pm yesterday when a member of the public called police to say a man had discharged a gun after brandishing it near Monkgate Health Centre, Monkgate.

Armed response units, dog handlers and unarmed police officers went to an address in nearby Fern Street, where the gunman was believed to be, but the house was found to be empty.

Acting on further tip-offs from the public, officers then went to Willerby House, where the long stand-off began.

Chief Supt John Lacy, who led the operation, said it was not known if the gun had fired live ammunition.

He said police believed several rounds had been fired in Monkgate and the flat itself.

"There was a serious threat to life and our operation caused disruption to both residents and motorists, as people were told to stay in their homes, and streets closed.

"Thanks to the patience and tolerance of people living in the surrounding area, we were able to resolve this particularly sensitive operation without injury," he said.

Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene and put on standby when the man attempted to set fire to furniture inside.

Objects, including a snooker cue, and a dumb-bell were thrown from a window, and the pistol was pointed at officers.

Negotiators moved into the stairwell and eventually persuaded the man to throw the gun outside.

A man was arrested and taken to Fulford Road Police Station.

An elderly resident in a nearby flat said she was told to stay inside and lock her door.

She said her husband, who suffers dementia, was upset by several hours of shouting and loud noises outside.

Updated: 11:23 Wednesday, September 10, 2003