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Man on burning building pushes firefighters’ ladders

The man was reportedly shirtless and smoking a cigarette as he prevented firefighters access to the roof

VANCOUVER, Wash. — A man who complicated firefighters’ efforts by pushing their ladders off of a roof has been arrested.

Angel M Torres-Reyna was standing atop a burning Quality Inn when firefighters arrived to the scene, according to the Columbian.

The fire started in the man’s room Saturday night. When firefighters set up their ladders the man began pushing the ladders away and preventing the firefighters from reaching him.

After 15 minutes, crews were able to extinguish the flames. As firefighters worked to put out hot spots, authorities tried to talk Torres-Reyna down.

After four hours of negotiating and use of a Spanish interpreter, the man finally surrendered.

It is unclear exactly how the fire started and what Torres-Reyna’s motives were.

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