Teen Wrestles Pa. Firefighters in Smoky Apartment
Source The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.
An Allentown teen wrestled with firefighters who forced their way into the youth's apartment Tuesday evening to put out a smoky food fire that started while he was sleeping, officials said.
City firefighters at 7 p.m. went to the smoke-filled second-floor apartment at the rear of 397 Greenleaf St., and they broke open the door when no one answered, awakening the boy, city police Capt. Keith Morris said.
The 17-year-old jumped up and struggled with a firefighter, and then the firefighter and his partner restrained the boy and asked for police assistance, fire officials said.
When police arrived, they saw a bag of marijuana on the teen's bed and took him into custody, Morris said.
Fire Battalion Chief Phillip Atiyeh said he didn't believe the youth was trying to injure the firefighters, and no one was hurt.
"We kind of startled him when we forced entry," said Atiyeh. "He just didn't know who was doing what, and he got a little aggressive with one of our guys."
The smoke was caused by food burned on the kitchen stove, Atiyeh said. No damage was done to the apartment.
Morris said he could give no further information on the boy. His case now will be investigated by the police Juvenile Division.
Copyright 2012 - The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
