NY Man Accused of Attacking FFs During House Blaze Rescue

A New York man is accused of intentionally setting his house on fire and then attacking firefighters who were saving him Monday.

The incident happened at about noon at a home in East Rockaway, the fire department stated in an online update. That's when crews from multiple departments responded to a report of a residential fire and a person trapped inside.

At the scene, Lynbrook Fire Chief Nick Pearsall and East Rockaway firefighter James Monaco entered the burning house to save Kevin Meyer, 31, the Long Island Herald reports. According to police, Meyer had allegedly started the fire on purpose and barricaded himself inside.

Pearsall, who had been at a previous call in Lynbrook, went to Meyer's house after seeing flames and smoke coming from the windows. He forced his way through the back door and discovered an unconscious Meyer in the living room, dragging the man to the rear of the house.

Meyer regained consciousness and began tussling with Pearsall, kicking the firefighter in the helmet and dislodging his breathing mask, according to the Herald. He then fled from Pearsall and back into the smoky house.

Pearsall met up with Monaco at the back of the house, and they eventually found Meyer amid more flames in the basement. Both firefighters were able to get Meyer out of the house, and he was arrested by Nassau County police, the Herald added.

Meyer was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and to be evaluated for a cognitive disorder. Flames also damaged a nearby house, where a family of five lived, but no one was injured.

Along with East Rockaway and Lynbrook, crews from Oceanside, Lakeview, Hewlett, Rockville Centre, Malverne and Valley Stream fire departments also responded.