Calgary Firefighter Attacked After Questioning Bystander At Grass Fire

CALGARY (CP) -- Being a firefighter is risky enough without belligerent citizens accosting them, a fire official said Saturday after one of his colleagues was attacked on the job.

A Calgary Fire Department firefighter walked away more dishevelled than hurt after being accosted by a man while investigating a grass fire Friday night, said department spokesman John Conley.

Although struggling with combative sick or ill patients is not uncommon, getting into a physical altercation with a bystander is something he can't remember happening before.

``We deal with enough hostile situations in uncontrolled environments, such as building fires and motor vehicle accidents but dealing with violent people, we leave that to the city police and the RCMP,'' Conley said.

The fight took place when firefighters were dispatched to a grass fire shortly after 9 p.m. One firefighter approached three males at the scene, one of whom became violent when questioned by the firefighter.

The man proceeded to shove and threaten the firefighter while a second assailant attempted to join in the scuffle.

The lieutenant commanding the rig had to intervene and intercept a third male who also tried to jump in.

The firefighter emerged from the altercation without injury but was shaken by the episode.

Ochaw Agwa, 18, of Calgary has been charged with uttering threats and being intoxicated in public. (Calgary Sun)