Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Firetruck hit by Roman candle; man arrested

By Jackson Holtz
Herald Writer

 CLEARVIEW -- A Snohomish man upset about the sound of emergency sirens in the middle of the night was arrested Monday after he allegedly shot a Roman candle at a fire engine carrying an emergency crew on its way to a traffic accident.

Around noon Monday, an ambulance from Snohomish County Fire District 7 followed the man, 34, after firefighters saw him light a firework and aim it at the cab of a fire engine, according to court documents filed Tuesday in Everett District Court.

"The great majority of people appreciate the job we have to do," said Eric Andrews, a deputy chief with the fire district. "And then there's going to be a few people that don't appreciate us and don't think it's right, and those are the people we end up dealing with."

No firefighters were hurt, but the firework did damage a hose and a tarp on the engine, Andrews said.

A Snohomish County sheriff's deputy arrested the man at his home.

Firefighters told deputies it appeared the man was trying to "shoot the projectiles into the cab of the fire engine," the documents said.

The man allegedly said he'd been having problems with the fire district for the past few weeks, the documents said. He believed the firefighters were harassing him by "going by his house at three in the morning and putting (their) siren on."

That's why he said he shot the fireworks at firefighters, the documents said.

The man lives near a busy intersection on Highway 9. It's not far from a fire station and crews frequently drive through the area on the way to emergencies, Andrews said.

State law requires emergency vehicles to use audible and visible warning signs anytime they exceed the speed limit or need to rush through red lights, he said.

"They do make a lot of noise coming into intersections at highways," Andrews said. "We don't have much of a choice."

Deputies believe the man also shot fireworks at the Gold Creek fire station last week, sheriff's spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said.

In that incident, a door at the station was open and someone shot a firework inside, Andrews said. Firefighters at first believed kids were responsible but now believe the man who was arrested likely is to blame.

Police found several fireworks and a loaded handgun in the man's car.

On Tuesday, he was behind bars, jailed for investigation of first-degree assault.

A judge set bail at $10,000.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA