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Video shows moments before Austin firefighter was stabbed
A viewer captured video of the suspect swinging a ball of fire moments before police say he stabbed an Austin firefighter on Monday. Video courtesy: Jacob Salas.
AUSTIN, Texas - An Austin firefighter was stabbed while putting out fires along I-35 near Riverside Dr. in South Austin, according to the Austin Fire Department.
Austin Fire says around 3:15 a.m., they received a call of a person setting fires near I-35 and Cesar Chavez. Once on scene, firefighters found a man dragging an item that was setting off those fires.
"Our firefighters got out to question him and put out the fires. He became a little agitated. When he became agitated, our firefighters stepped back, and they were letting him continue to walk, and they were putting out the fires behind him," said Eddie Martinez, Chief Shift Commander with the Austin Fire Department.
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Austin firefighter stabbed while putting out fires
An Austin firefighter was stabbed while putting out fires along I-35 in South Austin early Monday morning, according to the Austin Fire Department.
At one point, Martinez says the man walked on to the highway. He says when the firefighter tried to intervene to stop him from getting hurt, the man stabbed the firefighter in the thigh.
"One of our firefighters, as [the man] moved off of the highway, stood in front of him to keep him from walking back onto the highway. [The man] got a little agitated. An altercation happened, and he stabbed our firefighter in the thigh," said Martinez.
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Firefighter stabbed while putting out fires along I-35, APD says
The firefighter was taken to a local hospital and one person is in custody.
The other firefighters stepped in and detained the man until Austin police could arrive. Martinez says this is the first time something like this has happened.
The suspect was taken into custody on scene.
"There have been situations in the past where we've had altercations with people. This is the first time that I can remember that one of our firefighters has been injured in this way," said Martinez.
Kelly Ingroum, 59.
The firefighter was treated and released from the hospital. He is now recovering at home.
"Firefighter is doing great. He has been taken home to his family, and he's doing great," said Martinez.