Mansfield Road in Nottingham was closed to traffic in both directions after a man climbed onto the roof of a Sikh temple and refused to come down.
A large police cordon around the building lead rush hour traffic around long diversions and caused severe delays to bus services.
The incident was declared over and the road re-opened at around 7.20pm.
Officers say the incident started just before 3pm when the man ran off when police were called to a report of a disturbance inside a shop nearby.
He then scaled the building, a Sikh Gurdwara on the corner of Mansfield Road and Villa Road. It was previously First Church Of Christ Scientist.
Video: Ambulance crews and police negotiators are on the scene
NCT buses said there was disruption to several of its services through rush hour and motorists were advised to avoid the area completely if possible.
Severe delays on NCT Brown, Lime, Yellow and Purple Lines meant some passengers were waiting at stops for up to 45 minutes.
Reece McAlmot, from St Ann’s, was waiting for a friend on Mansfield Road when he noticed police on the street.
“I realised the buses had stopped coming while I was further down the road, then I walked up and saw all these people here,” he said.
“I thought there had been a crash at first then someone told me what it was. I hope it all ends well for the guy, it’s sad.”
The building as it appears on Google Street View
Richard Bloor, of Jermy & Westerman bookshop said: “I noticed the road suddenly became quiet and then I saw police and ambulances everywhere. Luckily we’re outside the cordon but I feel sorry for a few businesses up the road that are stuck in it.”
A force spokesman said: “Nottinghamshire Police were called following a report of a disturbance at a shop in Mansfield Road, Nottingham.
“Officers attended the scene and sought to speak with a man in relation to the incident.
“The man has ran from officers and climbed onto a building in Villa road.”
Police closed the road in both directions
