A dad who barricaded himself in his Carshalton home with cooking gas canisters has said he was never planning to blow the place up.

Father-of-four Mark Chambers was in a brief stand-off with police after refusing to leave the house in Middleton Road.

Forty homes were evacuated due to safety fears.

After the incident earlier today the dad-of-four, who was reportedly “banned” from seeing his children three years ago, said: “I never said I was going to blow the house up.

“I said I had barricaded myself in and I had food, water and gas canisters to keep me going – I have a little gas camping stove.

“That’s the opposite to me saying I’m going to end it all.”

His girlfriend Sarah Bournes had said she was worried about what the 56-year-old Justice for Children protester might do having lost the right to see his children and facing eviction from his home.

Ms Bournes said: "He left me last night to go back home.

"I got a message this morning saying he's had enough and is going to end it all.

"The system is setting him up. He can't carry on not seeing his children.”

She added: "Now the council is saying his house is too big. It's two bedrooms and he is there on his own.

"He's disabled from a back injury.

"He's being victimised by Sutton Council and the social services."

Ms Bournes, 36, who's been with Mr Chambers for a year, said he's at the end of his tether.

She said: "He said he's got food, water and gas canisters.

"It's concerning because I know he would blow himself up.”

A Met Police spokesman said police were called to the house shortly before 11.25am after concerns were raised for the welfare of the occupant.

He said: ““He had barricaded himself inside.

“Officers attended and spoke to him.

“He is safe and well.

"There were no offences and he wasn’t arrested.”

The incident was over by 12.50pm.

The fire brigade and ambulances were also at the scene.

Sutton Council said it was investigating the matter.