Fireground operations showing toddler rescued by firefighter Kevin Hartmann, white/male getting aggressive with the camera operator, and then shoving a firefighter before police arrived in Elgin.
THU NOV 19 2009 ELGIN — LATE REPORT (FOR VIDEO ARCHIVE) Elgin Fire Department responded to a house fire just after 3:10 p.m. to find a first floor front room well-involved with fire. Elgin firefighters discovered that a toddler was still inside, so Kevin Hartmann rushed his primary search and found a 2-year old inside a room filling with smoke.
After the rescue, James R. Beavers, the todder’s father, berated a video camera operator — crossing across the front yard, exclaiming, “Can we help you … Can WE help you?” Beavers then walked back toward the house and shoved a firefighter and interfered with firefighter operations.
When police arrived, James R. Beavers was arrested and charged with two counts of arson, two counts of aggravated arson, aggravated resisting a police officer, and two counts of obstructing a firefighter.