Detroit Firefighters’ Saws Stolen While Fighting Blaze

Two saws used by Detroit, Mich., firefighters while responding to emergencies have been stolen from a truck while crews battled a blaze, a firefighter said.

The theft took place early Sunday in a three-block area that firefighter Jeremy Mullins said had about 10 fires within three days. The saws are important tools for firefighters, with a chain saw used to open holes in roofs and the other saw to cut through wood or metal.

The saws cost about $2,000 each. Mullins used money firefighters saved for firehouse repairs to replace one saw, the Detroit Free Press reported. Donations are being accepted to raise money to replace the other saw.

“We parked the rig and fought the fire,” Mullins said. “When we came back and opened the compartment, they were gone. … It was easy pickings. It’s very frustrating. I’ve put in a lot of effort to get things like that for my firehouse and other firehouses to make sure they have what they need.

“To have them stolen, it’s a slap in the face.”

It is the second time in about two years that Ladder Company 22 had saws stolen, Mullins said. The National Firefighters Endowment offered to buy the firehouse new saws after the earlier theft, which happened when firefighters got food from a nearby restaurant, he said.