Ax-Wielding OR Man Accused of Interfering with FFs at Scene

A towing company employee with two long-handle axes temporarily prevented La Pine firefighters from putting out a fire at the business while he searched for a missing cat.

June 15, 2020

2 min read

A man wielding two long-handle axes and searching for a missing cat temporarily prevented La Pine, OR, firefighters from extinguishing a towing company blaze early Saturday.

A man wielding two axes interfered with Oregon firefighters early Saturday as he searched a burning building for a cat, authorities said.

La Pine crews responded to a fire at High Lakes Towing and Recovery shortly after 1 a.m., according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. By the time they reached the scene, flames had fully engulfed the building and several vehicles near the business.

An employee of the towing company with two long-handle axes refused to leave the burning building because of a missing cat, the sheriff's office said. The man repeatedly entered and exited the building to search for the animal, which forced firefighters to temporarily stop their attack.

The man, 54, didn't obey deputies when he was ordered multiple times to leave. He also allegedly threatened authorities with his axes when he was approached, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies eventually cordoned off the man from the fire and convinced him to give up his axes. He was cited for interfering with a firefighter, interfering with a police officer and menacing, the sheriff's office said.

Firefighters were finally able to put out the burning building and vehilces after flames caused extensive damage. Officials believe the fire was caused by welding repairs performed on a RV parked next to the shop.