A man who was allegedly chased from the Alice Springs Hospital by police because of an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence, allegedly threatened to burn down the house he was holed up in during what police described as a siege.

Police director of communications Mark Wilton said in a statement that a 26-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after surrendering to police after being surrounded by officers in an Alice Springs house for an unspecified number of hours.

Mr Wilton said that about noon, the Alice Springs Criminal Investigations Branch was told the man, who had an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence offences, was at the Alice Springs Hospital.

“Police attempted to apprehend the vehicle he was using as he exited the hospital, but the offender failed to stop, prompting a pursuit. The pursuit was terminated a short time later on South Terrace for safety reasons,” Mr Wilton said.

Police said the man was found at an unspecified house at an unspecified time later, where he was allegedly armed with “edged weapons”.

“Police subsequently withdrew and a cordon was established outside the residence. He retreated into the house and periodically engaged with police through the front screen door,” Mr Wilton said.

“On one occasion, he allegedly produced a jerry can of fuel and threatened to set the house on fire.”

Mr Wilton said that police used negotiators, and the man surrendered and was arrested about 5pm, saying the man was expected to be charged with unspecified charges.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, you can call police on 131 444 or in an emergency call 000. You can also anonymously report domestic violence through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.