Oregon Firefighters targeted by armed arsonist

Oregon arsonist sets own home on fire to ambush

NBC News 
David R. Li 
October 18, 2018

Jacobs shot at firefighters as they approached, but first responders had no idea they were being targeted because crackling noises are common in house fires, McKee said.

An arsonist ambushed Oregon firefighters by torching his own house then shooting a rifle at the first responders, authorities said Thursday.

A man is dead after a structure fire turned into an active shooter situation early on Oct. 17, 2018 in Springfield, Oregon.NBC16

Lance Taylor Jacobs, 60, eventually turned the gun on himself and ended the brief standoff early Wednesday morning in Springfield, Oregon, police said.

After Jacobs sent firefighters fleeing for their lives, flames spread to three other homes in the 500 block of Oakdale Avenue, which is about four miles northeast of the University of Oregon in neighboring Eugene.

All four houses burned down but no neighbors, firefighters or police were injured, officials said. One round tore through a firefighter's pants cuff.
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Arson arrest made in connection to California fire

Weather helps weary California firefighters
CNN
Firefighters are winning the battle against wildfires
By Kisa Mlela Santiago and Michael Martinez
May 17, 2014

LOS ANGELES (CNN) —Firefighters in Southern California seemed Saturday to be winning the fight against the half dozen wildfires still burning.

Despite the reduction in winds, most of San Diego County continues to experience hot temperatures which, combined with dry conditions, allowed for at least one new wildfire to ignite.

According to Cal Fire, a new 30-acre blaze began burning Saturday in Sycamore Canyon, inland from San Diego.

Firefighters were able to stop it from spreading farther and no structures were threatened.

On and around the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton, six large wildfires remain active, having burned over 25,000 acres total.

Arson arrests

Investigators have filed an arson charge against a man in one small fire in the county.

At a news conference, the prosecutor identified him as Alberto Serrato, who's accused of adding brush onto an existing fire, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.

Serrato could face up to seven years in prison if convicted, Dumanis said Friday.

Neither Serrato nor his attorney were immediately available for comment.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor is weighing whether to press charges against a 19-year-old man and 17-year-old juvenile, both of Escondido, who were arrested Thursday in connection with a small fire that was extinguished, Dumanis said.
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OEF OIF Veterans saved lives New Year's Eve

Soldier’s quick reaction saves hundreds in nightclub fire
KIROTV.com

SEATTLE — In the first few seconds after the fire roared up the back stairway of Capitol Hill’s Neighbours nightclub, US Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Bostick was one of a few New Year’s Eve revelers who reacted immediately.

“I’m embarrassed to say, my first move was to go after it with cups of water. Then I quickly realized, this fire is way bigger than that, he said.

In the next breath, the Army Intelligence veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan tours sharpens his tone, as if news of impending violence is to follow.

“You know, in 30 seconds, if that fire did what the arsonist intended, there’s no telling how many people could have died."

While 750 people counted down to the new year, Bostick rushed to grab a fire extinguisher from behind the bar. He and Air Force member Mike Casey went to work putting out the gasoline-fueled fire.
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