Man with sword delays firefighters at burning home
PORTLAND, Ore. >> A man waving a sword delayed firefighters who arrived at burning home in North Portland.
KATU-TV reports that the firefighters had to wait for police to detain the man Saturday evening. He was also holding a shield.
Sgt. Greg Pashley with the Portland Police Bureau says firefighters first encountered the 69-year-old man on the front porch. Officers tried to talk to the man, but he kept swinging the sword and yelling incoherently.
Police fired a Taser to subdue the man. Firefighters went inside and rescued a dog that was suffering from smoke inhalation. They used a special dog oxygen mask to help the animal.
Firefighters got the fire under control in about 20 minutes. There was around $40,000 in damage to the house.
The cause is under investigation.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!