By Cris Italia and Joseph Kellard
Following the 2nd Battalion Parade in Baldwin on Saturday, Aug. 10, Oceanside firefighters returned to the Columbia Engine Co. firehouse to find they had been burglarized, and fingers were quickly pointed at Long Beach firefighters.
Along with damage done to the walls and a door of the firehouse, two fire helmets, ten 100th anniversary clocks, one coffee maker and pot, one battery-operated wall clock, and one pride of midtown sign were stolen.
A source close to the incident alleges that the intruders then went to the Island Park firehouse on Long Beach Road, where, he says, they allegedly man-handled a firefighter and took the company's army truck for a joy ride. Long Beach officials deny those charges.
All three fire departments say what happened was simply a prank that went too far. No police reports were filed during the incident and officials say the problem has been handled in-house.
Within 48 hours, seven Long Beach firefighters were suspended pending an investigation and a departmental trial, officials said.
These individuals will be reprimanded, taken care of, and unfortunately it was a prank that went sour, said Michael Kerr, Commissioner of the Long Beach Fire Department. What happens is, unfortunately with fireman, all week they are serious
