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Vt. firefighter arrested for fire station arson
He told police he ripped down the smoke detectors, turned the stove on high, ignited cardboard and tossed the burning paper into one of the fire trucks
ALBANY, Vt. — A firefighter was arrested after he was caught on camera torching the town’s brand new fire house.
WCAX reported that James Joerg, a 45-year-old volunteer firefighter with the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, was one of the first firefighters on scene at the fire Sunday.
Responding firefighters watched their building burn and the flames trapped their tools inside.
"You know everything's right there to fight the fire but you just can't get to it to do so," Asst. Chief Josh Pilbin said.
Firefighter Joerg has been charged with second degree arson and reckless endangerment, according to the report. He told police he ripped down the smoke detectors, turned the stove on high, ignited the cardboard and tossed the burning paper into one of the fire trucks, according to the report.
"It's surprising when you see somebody quite often and to know that they could do something like that," said resident Bernie Alden.
According to court papers, firefighter Joerg told police he had frequent urges to set fires and admitted he was dangerous.
Firefighter Joerg is being held for lack of $250,000 bail and a judge also ordered a competency and sanity evaluation, according to the report.
