A suspected arsonist attacked a police officer and a firefighter with a cane after allegedly setting hearth to a mattress and sparking a home hearth.

The fireplace, which happened throughout a household struggle, occurred in Palm Coast, Florida, on Feb. 24.

Physique digicam video reveals Mark McKerlie sitting on the tailgate of a hearth truck and swinging his cane at first responders. Investigators stated he hit a deputy within the head and a firefighter within the chest earlier than he was subdued.

Flagler County Sheriff's Workplace stated on Feb. 25: "48-year-old Mark McKerlie is being held with out bond on the Sheriff Perry Corridor Inmate Detention Facility for beginning a home hearth after a household struggle after which attacking a Flagler County Sheriff's Deputy and a Palm Coast firefighter who had been on the scene.

The Flagler County Sheriff's Workplace (FCSO), Flagler County Hearth Rescue and Palm Coast Hearth Division responded simply earlier than 10 a.m. on February 24 to the home hearth on Blyth Place in Palm Coast.

"A hearth at the back of the house pressured John and Sue Beale, in addition to McKerlie, to evacuate to the entrance yard. An FCSO Deputy then instructed them to maneuver to the road, away from the burning house."

Smoke alarm
An alleged arsonist attacked first responders who arrived to struggle the fireplace he's accused of beginning. Above, a inventory picture reveals a smoke detector and flames. BrianAJackson/Getty Photos

Quickly after, the deputy went to the again of a hearth engine on the scene to examine on McKerlie, the place he discovered him sitting on the truck's tailgate. That is when McKerlie raised his picket cane and "swung it aggressively." He struck the deputy within the head and the firefighter close to his armpit, in keeping with the sheriff's workplace.

The deputy rapidly disarmed McKerlie and took him into custody.

Investigators decided that McKerlie began the fireplace when he allegedly ignited a mattress. McKerlie instructed authorities the incident stemmed from an altercation with members of the family earlier within the night. With smoke billowing on the entrance door, firefighters had been capable of rapidly comprise the flames to the rear of the house, the sheriff's workplace stated.

McKerlie had been present process narcotics withdrawal, in keeping with his arrest report, and had argued with a member of the family who had thrown away his previous prescription medication, the Palm Coast Observer reported.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly stated: "Taking a swing at one in all our deputies or a firefighter who was attempting to assist was a giant mistake. Fortunately, my deputy and the firefighter didn't endure any main accidents."

McKerlie faces two counts of battery on a law-enforcement officer/first responder and one rely of arson.

This story was offered to Newsweek by Zenger Information.