Man Arrested for Running Into Burning Building to Get Computer
by Tim Stevens, posted Jul 9th 2008 at 10:37AM
We've all seen the stories where a noble passer-by runs into a burning building to save a stranded baby or animal before the firemen are able to get there and do the same. Such people usually receive 15 minutes of fame on the local news, the key to the city, and, of course, an overwhelming feeling of well-being. Given our reliance on computers today, a lot of people are also quite devastated if their precious data is destroyed by fire, but a word of caution: Should you be thinking of pulling the hero move next time a house burns down, then the legal charges filed against a Minnesota man for doing just that might make you think twice.
The man, 53-year-old Nicholas Guy, lived in an apartment complex with a number of other tenants in Winona, Minnesota. The fire department responded to a call placed at 7:43pm and was on the scene attempting to put out a blaze that started on the first floor before spreading to the attic. Guy, who was drunk, disobeyed police orders and snuck into the building to retrieve his computer, but then needed help to get back out again.
He was charged with disorderly conduct and for obstructing a fire scene, crimes that won't land him in jail, but could result in some hefty fines. [Source: Winona Daily News]
