Posted on 04/17/2012 7:34:06 PM PDT by smokingfrog
Police tear gas launched into a Vallejo home in February played a role in starting a fire that caused $60,000 in damage and killed two dogs, a fire department report released Monday finds.
However, the Feb. 10, two-alarm blaze at 1041 Castlewood Drive was deemed "accidental in nature," according to the 13-page investigation report.
The exact cause was undetermined. But it likely involved one of the non-flammable rounds hitting or knocking over flammable household products, the report said.
The fire began shortly after police launched 12 tear gas rounds into various parts of the house. Police were trying to ferret out as many as six armed robbery suspects believed to be inside. However, it was later determined that the suspects had slipped away before police established a perimeter.
According to the report, the tear gas rounds were non-flammable. But one of the 37-mm projectiles fired through the back door could have penetrated or knocked over a household product containing flammable chemicals. At that point, vapors could have been released and ignited when reaching an ignition source, such as the flame from a nearby water heater.
** snip **
The report said that no person was responsible for setting the fire, because no one was inside when it started at about 5:30 p.m. Further, there were no incendiary devices found in the home, nor visible evidence of any electrical shortages in wall outlets or appliances.
Three dogs were trapped in the bedrooms. Two perished in the fire and the other ran away after being freed. Sharpe said its owner, a tenant displaced by the fire, who was at work when the Special Weapons and Tactics team arrived, later told him it had been hit and killed by a car.
(Excerpt) Read more at firehouse.com ...
but but but... that’s not possible... Janet Reno said so
Just practicing.
Every cop who launched one of these rounds should be forced to watch as the Fire Department uses their home for a practice burn.
It was getting close to shift change and some guys needed to go home.
I have seen live tear gas rounds land on open and bunched newspaper that didn’t start a fire, wonder what happened?
Again with the dogs.
“According to the report, the tear gas rounds were non-flammable. But one of the 37-mm projectiles fired through the back door could have penetrated or knocked over a household product containing flammable chemicals. At that point, vapors could have been released and ignited when reaching an ignition source, such as the flame from a nearby water heater. “
That sounds pretty far-fetched. How are they propelled? Compressed air? Does the process that releases the gas produce no heat? Why are all of these things labelled “for outdoor use” (probably because the manufacturers want to CTA)?
“...no person was reponsible...”
They never are...
Well, it’s just collateral damage.
Doesn’t the military swoop in and pass out money in other countries (or even in this one, with the recent plane crash) when this sort of thing happens?
I have seen live tear gas rounds land on open and bunched newspaper that didn’t start a fire, wonder what happened?
Ummm...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/431348.stm
Just like Waco but smaller!
One way or another cops are determined to kill dogs.
Well, they had that house surrounded for sixteen hours and it still refused to surrender and continued to hold the dogs hostage.
What a horrible end for the poor dogs,,,burned to death.
I hope they sue sue sue until the SWAT team has to sell its tank on eBay.
City will only be willing only to compensate on value of a bare lot now. In the meantime, fines for failure to remove an eyesore will be levied.
“One way or another cops are determined to kill dogs.”
Actually, one of them got away...for now....;)
Do ya think! Send a round of tear gas into a house of flammable contents and nobody figures it will set the house on fire.
Hey Honey, watch this. I’m going to set this fireworks cone on its side in the middle of the living room. Let’s watch!
Janet Reno? She is still around?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.