MedicCook
09-05-2006, 01:33 PM
Outdoor fire complaint leads to charges against property owner
GLENS FALLS -- When firefighters and police officers responded to a report of an open burn on South Street early Sunday morning, they didn't expect the property's owner to keep them from putting the flames out, but that's exactly what Scott W. Larock did.
His actions, Glens Falls Police Department Capt. William Valenza said, resulted in his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing firefighting operations.
Larock was also charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, which is a violation.
Glens Falls Police Department Officer Brian Lashway made the arrest.
When the Fire Department arrived on the scene after police received a call from an area resident about the small blaze at 12:20 a.m., Larock denied the firefighters access to his property. "The subject refused for several minutes and then put the fire out," Valenza said.
During the incident, Larock also refused to give Fire Department officials his name when they arrived at the property.
"When the Fire Department got there, he would not give his information," Valenza said. "He told them his name was 'John Doe.' "
Following this, Larock, with whom Valenza said the Police Department is familiar, scuffled with officers. This led to the resisting-arrest charge and the marijuana charge.
In the city of Glens Falls, fires are permitted for one reason and one reason only. "The only way you can have a fire in Glens Falls is for cooking," Glens Falls Fire Department Assistant Chief James Schrammel said. "The fire has to be of the type and size used for cooking.
"If it's a ceremonial fire," he added, "it has to be approved by the Board of Public Safety."
http://www.poststar.com/articles/2006/09/05/news/doc44fd4fbbb9e06678151864.txt
GLENS FALLS -- When firefighters and police officers responded to a report of an open burn on South Street early Sunday morning, they didn't expect the property's owner to keep them from putting the flames out, but that's exactly what Scott W. Larock did.
His actions, Glens Falls Police Department Capt. William Valenza said, resulted in his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of obstructing firefighting operations.
Larock was also charged with resisting arrest, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, which is a violation.
Glens Falls Police Department Officer Brian Lashway made the arrest.
When the Fire Department arrived on the scene after police received a call from an area resident about the small blaze at 12:20 a.m., Larock denied the firefighters access to his property. "The subject refused for several minutes and then put the fire out," Valenza said.
During the incident, Larock also refused to give Fire Department officials his name when they arrived at the property.
"When the Fire Department got there, he would not give his information," Valenza said. "He told them his name was 'John Doe.' "
Following this, Larock, with whom Valenza said the Police Department is familiar, scuffled with officers. This led to the resisting-arrest charge and the marijuana charge.
In the city of Glens Falls, fires are permitted for one reason and one reason only. "The only way you can have a fire in Glens Falls is for cooking," Glens Falls Fire Department Assistant Chief James Schrammel said. "The fire has to be of the type and size used for cooking.
"If it's a ceremonial fire," he added, "it has to be approved by the Board of Public Safety."
http://www.poststar.com/articles/2006/09/05/news/doc44fd4fbbb9e06678151864.txt