A man has been arrested after refusing to leave a building following a small fire, sparking road closures and gridlock.
Police and firefighters descended on the area after being called shortly after 10am today (28 Sep).
Roads were closed while emergency services dealt with the incident, causing major disruption across the town, as reported by Need To Know.
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Police confirmed officers were called at 10.01am following reports of a man refusing to leave a building after a small fire had been reported.
The incident took place near the Charlton Centre in Dover, Kent.
A force spokesperson said: “Kent Police was called at 10.01am on Monday 28 September 2026 to a report of a man refusing to leave a building near the Charlton Centre, Dover, after a small fire had been reported.
“Officers attended along with Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the man has since been arrested.
“Road closures were in place while the incident was dealt with. The roads are now open.”
During the incident, Reform UK councillor James Defriend made the allegation on social media that the man was a migrant who was on a roof threatening to jump.
He also alleged the man had been demanding cigarettes and money.
Neither the man’s immigration status nor those alleged demands were confirmed in the police statement.
Defriend, who represents Dover Town on Kent County Council, initially posted: “If you are wondering why Dover is completely grid locked right now, this migrant is sat on a roof threatening to throw himself off, demanding Cigarettes and money.”
He later claimed the incident had left the town gridlocked for more than an hour and tied up police, firefighters and ambulance crews.
Defriend wrote: “What is happening to this country?
“Right now in Dover, a young migrant man is sitting on a roof threatening to throw himself off.
“The whole town has been gridlocked for over an hour, with police, fire engines and ambulances all tied up dealing with the situation, while residents are struggling to get around their own town.”
The councillor said he hoped nobody would be hurt and the incident would be brought to a safe conclusion, but said residents were “understandably frustrated”.
Local press reported that the incident caused severe congestion, with emergency services at the scene and roads closed.
Police have now confirmed the man was arrested and the affected roads have reopened.
The force has not said what offence the man was arrested on suspicion of.
It is also unclear what caused the small fire reported before emergency services were called.
Jam Press has approached Councillor James Defriend for comment.
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