UPDATED: Suspect in custody after holding Ohio firefighters hostage for more than 2 hours
An assistant chief and lieutenant from the Amherst Fire Department in Lorain County, Ohio were taken hostage for two hours this (Wednesday) evening by a man with a rifle after responding to an illegal burn.
Two firefighters were taken hostage Wednesday night after they responded to a fire in the woods on Hornyak St. in Amherst, according to Amherst Fire Chief Al Schmitz.
A neighbor called in the fire and Chief Schmitz said as they were fighting the fire, the homeowner became agitated and took the assistant chief and a lieutenant hostage with a rifle.
The call came in just after 6:30 p.m. and was peacefully resolved.
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The standoff reportedly involved two South Amherst firefighters. Sources on the scene say the firefighters were called to the area of Hornyak Street and Quarry Road, south of the Turnpike, for an illegal burn earlier this evening.
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Five Amherst firefighters were called to a report of a brush fire near Quarry Road and Hornyak Street. A man at the scene was attempting to burn leaves. When firefighters told the man to stop, officials say the man pulled out a rifle. Two firefighters were then taken hostage. They were held for two to three hours.
The South Amherst Fire Chief confirmed to newsnet5.com two firefighters were held hostage at gunpoint. Neighbors told newsnet5.com Roy L. Griffith took two firefighters hostage after they responded to a call about an open burning fire. According to neighbors, Griffith lives with his parents in Amherst.
WATCH: @PaulOrlousky confirms #Amherst firefighters called to illegal burn, held hostage by man @cleveland19news pic.twitter.com/nKfP4hnxKU — Sara Goldenberg (@SaraGoldenberg) October 22, 2015
Emergency crews, including SWAT on scene at incident in #Amherst off Quarry Rd & Hornyak @cleveland19news pic.twitter.com/qVEvKlF6hD — Sara Goldenberg (@SaraGoldenberg) October 22, 2015
