CALGARY – Police have charged a 26-year-old man after he allegedly assaulted a firefighter responding to a fire in the community of Montgomery on Wednesday.
Emergency crews were called to the 1800 block of 41 Street N.W. just after midnight for reports of a disturbance.
When they arrived, they found a small house engulfed in flames, and a physical confrontation taking place on the front lawn of the home.
Police say one man was taken into custody after he became physically aggressive toward firefighters, and refused to get back from the blaze.
“When the fire department arrived here, the guests of the resident ended up assaulting one of the fire captains,” explains Duty S/Sgt. John James.
Police arrested 26-year-old Robert Kyle Chapman and charged him with assault.
A second man found outside of the home was also arrested on outstanding warrants.
“We are always there to help and make the situation better,” explains Carol Henke with the Calgary Fire Department. “It’s troubling that someone would want to interfere with us doing our job and saving lives, especially when seconds count.”
“This is an unusual incident,” says Henke. “The vast majority of the time we don’t encounter this type of disruption.”
Officials say the fire is believed to be intentionally set, and the arson unit is investigating.
Several people who were in the home at the time of the fire warned firefighters there was another person in the burning home who hadn’t made it out.
However, when they entered the home to put out the flames, fire crews weren’t able to locate anyone else inside.
No injuries were reported due to the fire.
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