A Genesee County man has been charged with two felonies related to an incident in which police say he impersonated a firefighter after showing up at a house fire in Unadilla Township.
18-year-old Ethyn Clark of Grand Blanc has been charged with Impersonating a Firefighter and Use of a Receiver or Scanner in the Commission of a Felony. An exam is set for March 7 in 53rd District Court.
The Unadilla Township Police Department reports that it responded on Monday, February 13 at approximately 2:26 p.m. to assist the fire department with a structure fire on Van Syckle Ct. The fire was extinguished with only minor damage to the residence, and no injuries.
However, during suppression of the fire, police say a man, later identified as Clark, arrived on the scene in a personal vehicle equipped with emergency lights and siren which he was using. He had minimal firefighting gear, including a helmet, safety vest and a radio. He identified himself as a Brighton firefighter, even though the Brighton Fire Department had not been dispatched to assist.
Clark was not allowed to participate in firefighting efforts by Fire Department command staff, after which he left. Fire Department staff then notified the police of the suspicious encounter. Unadilla Township police were able to quickly identify Clark. After police made contact with Clark, he allegedly confessed to responding to that fire scene as well as doing the same in surrounding counties.
Clark remains lodged on. $5,000 bond.
