LOVELAND, Colo. — A fire marshal in Loveland has been placed on administrative leave after he allegedly responded to a fire under the influence of alcohol Sunday. Fire Marshall Merlin Green, 54, has been charged with misdemeanor driving while ability impaired.
Green responded Sunday to a fire at Fatso’s Restaurant in a Chevrolet Trailblazer belonging to the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. At the scene he smelled of alcohol and was interviewed by police officers, according to a Loveland police report.
Green failed to complete roadside sobriety tests and his blood alcohol level was reported to be just below the limit of driving under the influence, the report said.
Green is a 27-year veteran of the fire department and is also the chief of the department’s community safety division.
Fire Chief Randy Mirowski told the newspaper Green was on scene to investigate the fire and never worked on the fire or created a safety hazard.
“Chief Green has been an outstanding employee, he has contributed greatly to our organization and our city,” Mirowski told the Loveland Reporter Herald. “In my view, he’s made a mistake.”
Copyright 2013 Local TV LLC
Distributed by Newsbank, Inc. All Rights Reserved