PRINCETON, W.Va. — State Police in Princeton have released more information on charges filed against two out-of-state firefighters in connection with the Friday fire inside the East River Mountain Tunnel near Bluefield.
Sgt. D.W. Miller told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph Colin Dunn, 30, of Maryland, and Virginia Price, 30, of Maine, were charged with obstruction by police after they stopped on the Virginia side of the tunnel, put on some emergency gear and took a county emergency vehicle.
“They said they were attempting to help their friends, they are volunteer firemen in Maryland,” Sgt. Miller told the newspaper. “We explained to them they were not in Maryland, and did not have friends in the tunnel. They had no authority to do that here, basically.”
Initial reports that the two stole a fire truck were incorrect. Sgt. Miller said Dunn and Price may have meant well, but they could have put themselves in harm’s way.
MetroNews originally reported the driving of the emergency vehicle was a joyride. That was incorrect and we apologize for the error.