MARTINS FERRY, Ohio --
Four people were cited after they drove over fire hoses as fire crews battled two house fires in Martins Ferry.
According to firefighters, several people tried to drive down the street during the fire and ran over the hose. They said those incidents coupled with water pressure problems made the fires difficult to fight.
"You see a fire hose laying on the street, it's there for a reason, and it's not to be run over," said Assistant Fire Chief Jack Regis of the Martins Ferry Fire Department.
Regis said not only did the drivers jeopardize the firefighters on the end of the hose, but the drivers also damaged the fire hose. He said that kind of damage can cost $10,000 or more to the truck itself. Drivers could be held responsible to pay for such damage, Regis said.
While battling the blazes, two firefighters had to be taken to a hospital for heat exhaustion. Martins Ferry, Colerain and Bridgeport fire departments responded to the fire. The causes of the fires are unknown.
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