A New Hampshire man whose residence was going up in flames allegedly stole a rescue truck from responding firefighters, then crashed into a fireplace engine, drove over energetic hoses and narrowly missed three firefighters earlier than fleeing the scene, authorities mentioned.
Nestor Roman II, 30, of Dalton, faces a number of costs after authorities mentioned he stole the rescue car and later crashed a number of miles from his burning residence.
In keeping with New Hampshire State Police, troopers have been responding round 3:50 a.m. Tuesday to help Dalton Fireplace & Rescue with a home hearth after they discovered {that a} Whitefield Fireplace & Rescue car had been stolen.
Dalton Fireplace & Rescue mentioned crews had been dispatched to a totally concerned construction hearth close to Faraway Highway and Mountain Highway, with a number of neighboring departments responding as mutual support.
As firefighters battled the blaze, Roman allegedly acquired into Whitefield Fireplace & Rescue’s F550 rescue truck and drove away shortly earlier than 5 a.m., in accordance with the hearth division.
The division mentioned Roman allegedly drove round Whitefield’s E3 hearth engine, almost hanging two firefighters and narrowly lacking a 3rd who might have been pinned between the 2 massive vans.
Roman then allegedly crashed into the E3 and a small pickup whereas “forcing their means onto the highway forward,” in accordance with the division.
State police mentioned Roman drove over a number of water provide traces whereas fleeing. Dalton Fireplace & Rescue mentioned two charged hoses getting used to struggle the hearth have been run over however weren’t broken.
Roman additionally allegedly struck a firefighter’s private car farther down the highway and broken neighboring property, in accordance with hearth officers. State police mentioned wood fences at two separate properties have been additionally broken.
The escape got here to an finish a number of miles away after a Dalton home-owner reported that the stolen rescue car had crashed on their property, in accordance with state police.
The home-owner additionally reported that Roman was allegedly making an attempt to take gadgets from the porch.
Troopers arrived moments later and located Roman on the porch. Police mentioned he was uncooperative however was in the end taken into custody.
Roman was charged with three felony counts of reckless conduct with a lethal weapon, housebreaking and two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.
He additionally faces misdemeanor costs of obstructing authorities administration, 4 counts of conduct after an accident, resisting arrest and detention, driving after suspension subsequent and two counts of driving over a fireplace hose with out consent, in accordance with state police.
Regardless of sustaining important injury, Whitefield’s E3 was capable of stay in operation, and firefighters in the end extinguished the flames.
Fireplace officers mentioned the home was a “full loss.”
The New Hampshire State Fireplace Marshal’s Workplace is investigating the reason for the hearth.
“We’re extraordinarily grateful that no firefighters have been bodily injured regardless of the shut name,” Dalton Fireplace & Rescue mentioned in an announcement.
