Sheriff: Man Arrested After Refusing To Allow Fire To Be Doused

LAND O' LAKES, FL -- A 57-year-old Land O' Lakes man was arrested Saturday after Pasco County Sheriff's deputies say he refused to allow firefighters to douse an out-of-control fire on his property.

Roy Joseph Dedman of Marshall Drive was charged with obstructing firefighters attempting to extinguish a fire and resisting arrest.

Deputies were called to Dedman's home at 6:37 p.m. Feb. 9 after Pasco County firefighters said he became verbally abusive toward them when they tried to go on his property to put out a fire.

Firefighters say the fire was spreading rapidly and they needed to take action before it spread to surrounding properties so they called the sheriff's office for assistance.

When deputies arrived, Dedman reportedly resisted arrest as well.

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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