Quick-thinking police officers stopped a man from killing himself and may have prevented a gas explosion.

The policemen were called to the incident at Wilshire Avenue, Chelmsford, at 6.30pm on Saturday after reports the man had intended to kill himself.

When the officers arrived they found a strong smell of gas coming from the house.

Sgt Chris Smith and PC Gary Joslin found the door locked but could see a man slumped over a gas cooker in a kitchen.

They tried in vain to persuade the man to let them in by banging on the front door and windows and shouting through the letterbox.

The officers then disconnected the gas and electricity supply to the home from outside.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and an ambulance were contacted and put on standby.

The man eventually let the police into the house and was then taken to Broomfield Hospital for treatment, just 30 minutes after the original report of the incident.

He was later sent to the Linden Centre for assessment.

A police spokesman said the actions of the officers had probably saved the man's life and also possibly prevented a major explosion.

The man had contacted a friend to tell him he was intending to kill himself.

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