![]() The domestic property, which measured 10m by 3m, was severely damaged by the fire, the cause of which was accidental. The gas and electric were isolated.Ĭrews used six breathing apparatus, four ladders, three hose reel jets, a main attack jet and two safety jets to extinguish the fire. The incident was sectorised and crews worked internally and externally. A number of fire officers were also mobilised to the incident. One fire appliance from Martock and one from Yeovil along with the incident command unit from Wiveliscombe and the incident support unit from Martock attended. Shortly afterwards the incident commander called for more crews as the roof was fully alight. The detached property of two floors made from stone and tile construction was alight involving the first floor and roof space.Ĭrews got to work using an attack jet, one hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus sets. On their way to the incident, crews could see a large plume of smoke and requested a further fire appliance which came from Wells. Just after 9.15pm, three fire appliances from Street, Somerton and Glastonbury were initially sent to a property fire in Compton Street, Compton Dundon. "He deeply regrets that his actions have hurt his family, his friends, and those who he worked with, his fellow firefighters.Multiple crews of firefighters, including some from Glastonbury, were called to a domestic building fire in Compton Dundon last night (June 13). "By his plea in criminal court, Marcel took responsibility for his actions, for not only a violation of the law, but for a violation of the trust of the residents of Compton," defense attorney George Bird said in a statement. Kim Baldonado reports for the NBC4 News on Friday, Feb. He had faced up to 10 years and eight months in prison, Rose said. ![]() Melanson was fired from the department before being arrested in May 2013. "It's like a family business - terminating your brother or something."įire Chief Jon Thompson said he was happy that Melanson's plea saved his department from getting involved in a trial. "I'm not mad at him, more mad at what he did," said Deputy Chief Bryan Batiste, who knew Melanson since his involvement with the Fire Department in high school. The allegations shook the Compton Fire Department, where Melanson had been well-liked. Through a repeat buyer, investigators discovered that Melanson had been selling other Compton-owned radio equipment since 2008, Rose added. Meanwhile, Los Angeles County sheriff's investigators discovered that many of the missing radios were sold on EBay or offline to private buyers, Rose said. Melanson set up the fire to look accidental, said Patrick Wills, an arson investigator with the Long Beach Fire Department. Attention then turned to Melanson, who was on duty at the station the night of the fire and the only one with access to the radios. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, concluded the blaze was arson. Investigators from the Long Beach and Montebello fire departments, as well as the U.S. When that plan was scrapped, the city hoped to recoup some of its investment by selling the radios.Īfter the damaged radios were accounted for and it was noticed that some were missing, an investigation was opened, Deputy Dist. The equipment, valued at more than $1 million, was bought by the city during a failed attempt to revive its Police Department, which had been disbanded in favor of a policing contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. The building was slightly damaged, and many of the 200-plus radios were destroyed. 1 in December 2011 in an indoor racquetball court where the radio equipment was stored. ![]() The resolution of the case came as a surprise to Fire Department employees who appeared at a downtown courthouse prepared to testify against someone they said was like family.Īccording to authorities, a fire broke out at Compton's Fire Station No. Melanson must pay restitution, but the amount is still being determined, the prosecutor added.Īs a result of the plea, authorities dropped the more severe charge of arson of a structure and a second embezzlement count. He is expected to be sentenced to three years and four months in state prison, a prosecutor said. Marcel Melanson, 38, was accused of stealing valuable city-owned radio equipment, then setting a fire to cover up the theft. April 16-A former Compton Fire Department battalion chief pleaded no contest Tuesday to felony charges of arson of property and embezzlement by a public official. ![]()
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