The Wells Police Department says a resident of the town is facing charges after they assaulted four firefighters while trying to rescue their cats from a house fire. The Wells Fire Department said the fire happened Tuesday at 188 Clark Road, where crews found flames showing from the attic vent of the two-story home. According to police, one of the residents arrived at the scene while firefighters were working to extinguish the fire and ran toward the building.
The resident then entered the smoke-filled home in an attempt to find their cats and assaulted four firefighters while trying to get upstairs and make their way past them, police said. Authorities said Wells police officers quickly intervened and entered the home to detain the resident.
The Wells Fire Department said several firefighters were evaluated and one firefighter was transported to an area hospital after they were assaulted by the resident. Fire officials said the resident was also hospitalized following the incident, and no one suffered life-threatening injuries.
Police said that after speaking with firefighters at the scene, it was decided that the resident would be charged with assault on a firefighter. “While the Wells Police Department understands and empathizes with the deep bond between pet owners and their animals, we cannot condone violence against anyone,” the department said in a news release. “The firefighters were actively working to protect lives and property when they were unexpectedly assaulted.”
Fire officials said the fire started outside on the deck and had burned its way up the siding to the attic window, where it entered into the attic. Investigators said the cause of the fire was improperly discarded smoking materials. The Wells Fire Department said the fire was quickly spotted by other residents, who used fire extinguishers to knock down most of the outside flames before firefighters arrived.
