Veteran Firefighter Sets Rookie Firefighter On Fire At Christmas Party

January 4, 2011 at 10:24 am by Jaded  

Apopka, FL -- Police expect to file charges today against veteran firefighter Jason LeBlanc regarding an incident that happened at an alcohol-fueled Christmas party last month. At some point during the celebration, 44-year-old LeBlanc reportedly squirted lighter fluid on rookie Jack Shumate, 25, and lit him up. “(We) don’t believe any specific reason why it happened as far as some vendetta or some type of hazing,” said APD spokesman Officer Steven Popp. “His intentions were to put it out with a cup of water but when fire started, the victim immediately ran outside in an attempt to put out the fire.” Shumate didn’t want to press charges, but police carried on with the investigation regardless, interviewing nearly 20 witnesses to the event. Police say the Christmas party was not sponsored by the city, but several Apopka firefighters were there, as were numerous civilians. LeBlanc, an eight-year veteran, has since retired. Shumate, who had just passed his one-year mark with the team, continues to recover from second-degree burns to both legs. Boys +  Fire = Bad

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