This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
At 1:04 a.m. on August 18, Longmont Fire Department sent out a press release notifying the community of a fire at Budget Home Supply located at 780 Boston Ave.
First responders found smoke inside the facility and requested additional resources. Engine 2106 and Ladder Truck 2116 responded.
LFD made its way into the facility and found multiple fire starts.
A suspect was located and subdued by firefighters while they were in the process of extinguishing the fire. The suspect was escorted out of the building and transferred into the custody of police officers who were standing by.
As of the time of the press release, the structure fire had been extinguished and the building was in the process of being ventilated. An investigation of the fire is underway.
*UPDATE*
The suspect in this fire has been identified as Michael Schrodt. He has been charged with Criminal Mischief > $100,000, First Degree Arson, Second Degree Burglary, and Reckless Endangerment.
Schrodt was taken from the scene of the fire to Longs Peak Hospital where he was medically cleared before being taken to Boulder County Jail.
“This was a first for us,” says Longmont Chief of Fire Jerrod Vanlandingham. “You don’t typically expect to encounter an arsonist lighting fires at the time you are trying to extinguish them. Our crews had little choice but to tackle the suspect, subdue him and drag him out of the building to awaiting police officers. These firefighters went above and beyond their call of duty by taking these actions, but most likely saved lives and property in doing so.”
20 firefighters assisted with the fire as well as an AMR Ambulance and several Longmont police officers.
Although LFD was able to extinguish the fire, Budget Home Supply Store manager, Sean Angelo, estimated approximately $500,000 in water and smoke damage.
