PATIENT CHARGED WITH MALICIOUS DESTRUCTION OF HOSPITAL FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD (August 26, 2019) - Deputy State Fire Marshals charged a Hagerstown man after it was determined he intentionally destroyed a fire sprinkler causing thousands of dollars worth of damage.
The incident occurred at 7:30 p.m. on August 25, 2019, within the West Wing of Meritus Medical Center. Investigators determined a patient; Chad Allen Callis (37) asked a nurse for towels to take a shower. After he was provided the items, he returned to his room and within minutes, the fire alarm activated and staff observed water coming from his room. Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded Callis had intentionally damaged the fire sprinkler which caused flooding to occur throughout the hospital floor. The activation of the fire alarm system and subsequent clean-up caused an estimated $2,000.00 in damages.
Callis was arrested and charged with causing a False Alarm and Malicious Destruction of
Property. He was transported to Washington County Detention Center and was released on his recognizance. If convicted of these charges, he could face penalties not to exceed five years and/or $5,500 in fines.
Chad Allen CALLIS
The
Office of the State Fire Marshal is an agency of the Department of
State Police dedicated to helping protect citizens from fire and
explosion through a comprehensive program of education,
inspection, investigation and fire protection engineering. For more
information on fire safety call 1-800-525-3124, log onto our website at: Maryland State Fire Marshal and/or our Facebook Page.
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