Homes evacuated in Summerfield Park

Local law enforcement officers took into custody tonight a 26-year-old man in the Summerfield Park community who turned on the natural gas line and threatened to light it in an attempt to harm himself.

"We ended up Baker Acting an individual," Lt. Rick Gerken said. "He came out on his own."

The man, Gerken said, sustained no injuries, but was taken to Lakewood Ranch Medical Center to be evaluated for gas inhalation.

Authorities evacuated neighboring homes on Parkside Place and evacuated the roadway for about three hours to protect neighbors in case the home exploded.

Summerfield Park resident Sirena Nixon, who was on her way home around 10 p.m., said she was redirected to Summerfield Park during the roadblock.

"They were telling people to wait (there)," Nixon said.

Gerken said rumors the man had taken a hostage were untrue.

The home, located in the 11000 block of Parkside Place, was aired out by the fire department.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].