Two Northumberland County men are accused of running over three sections of fire hoses during an active structure fire in Kulpmont earlier this month, which caused $4,174.28 in equipment damage and, of course, hindered firefighters from doing their job, reports dailyitem.com.
Norwood Thomas III, 81, and Matthew John Murray, 60, were each charged with seven misdemeanors: three counts of criminal mischief, three counts of tampering with fire apparatus, and one count of recklessly endangering another person, as well as one summary count of disorderly conduct, according to the report.
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It all started as Atlas Fire Company crews were fighting a structure fire at 734 Spruce St. on May 6 when the water became disabled. Police officials say they arrived at 4:39 p.m. and were told a white regular cab Chevrolet pickup and a silver sedan ran over three sections of fire hoses, hence the water shortage.
Police officials ID’d the vehicles via surveillance video and eventually found the culprits.
Thomas confessed to running over the hoses, the report says, and said he thought there was no way to turn around on Spruce Street and instead kept driving over the equipment. Murray told police that he drove over the hoses because he had to use the bathroom.
The two are set for a preliminary hearing on July 6 at 11 a.m.
