A PUB fight escalated into a roof top stand-off.

Police were called to Hickory Avenue, Colchester, during a negotiation which lasted for hours after a man threatened to jump off a house.

Dozens of officers and firefighters raced to the Greenstead estate during the siege.

The road was closed off as police negotiators tried to talk to the man and encourage him to come down from the roof safely.

The drama started with an incident earlier at a social club.

It then moved on to the home in Hickory Avenue.

One eyewitness claimed there was a woman and children in the home and there were serious concerns for their safety with belongings being destroyed inside.

She said: “Police smashed down the door and gained entry to the house which led to the man fleeing to the loft, smashing a hole in the roof to then gain entry, and then threatening to jump.

“He was being abusive and racist to the police.”

Eye witnesses claimed there were as as many as seven police cars and vans, two dog units and two fire engines which remained at the scene until he early hours of yesterday morning.

One eye witness said the incident went on for three hours.

A spokesman for Essex Police confirmed they were called to the area to deal with two different incidents which were believed to involve some of the same people.

He said: “Police were called to reports of an assault at Greenstead Social Club, in Blackthorn Avenue, Colchester, shortly before 5pm on Sunday.

“A suspect left the scene and returned to a property in Hickory Avenue.

“Police negotiated with a suspect who was seen on the roof of a property.”

It is believed the man eventually came down of his own accord.

A 29-year-old man from Colchester was later arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.

Police were yesterday continuing to question a man and to investigate the circumstances surrounding incidents at both scenes.

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “The fire service was called to assist the police early yesterday morning.

“A fire engine was requested for use of its ladders but they were not needed.

“Crews left the scene in the care of the police”.