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Steve Myers
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Flint's mayor has ordered an investigation into the fire that nearly destroyed a plastics company at the beginning of the year.
Not only are police looking into possible arson, but a separate criminal case is also turning the heat on a city firefighter.
Bisi Onile-Ere had more.
It was three weeks ago that firefighters were trying to put out the fire. Since then, a firefighter has been suspended for allegedly stealing property from here during the fire.
But Flint Mayor Don Williamson is taking it a step further, asking the police to get involved.
With flames and smoke sprouting from three locations, it took nearly seven hours to put out the blaze that almost destroyed the United Plastics Recycling Plant.
At one point, nearly every firefighter in Flint was on the scene. And according to the mayor's office, one firefighter may have been doing more than putting out flames.
Flint police are not only investigating possible arson, but under Williamson's orders, they are also looking into the actions of a fire official.
"The mayor was extremely disappointed in the allegation that this fire officer took this computer screen and took it home, put it in his truck and took it home," said mayoral spokesman Joe Conroy.
The firefighter, who has served for the department for at least four years, returned the monitor and was suspended for 29 days. We are told this was the firefighter's first offense, what he calls a bad judgment call.
But the mayor worries about what this incidence does to the confidence in the delivery of community services.
"The mayor wants to make sure that he's right in pursuing this and if so, I think there will be charges that will be leveled," Conroy said.
The firefighter is expected to back on the job Feb. 7. At this time, it's not clear what the mayor's investigation has turned up, but he says criminal charges and termination are likely.
Full Story and Video:
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/news/012005_NW_da_update.html |
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Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:12 pm |
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