City police say a North Bay firefighter was assaulted with an edged weapon while responding to a fire alarm at a house in the 100 block of Marshall Avenue this morning.
At approximately 6:40 today, officers responded to reports that a fireman with the North Bay Fire and Emergency Services had been assaulted while responding to a fire alarm.
Police say a woman damaged areas of the first and second floor of the residence and triggered a fire alarm on the second floor, then assaulted the firefighter with an edged weapon and also assaulted a second victim at the home with a piece of debris.
The firefighter was rushed to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries where he was treated and discharged. The second victim was treated on-site for minor injuries.
Responding officers arrested and charged Roberta Hookimaw, a female, age 35 of North Bay, with:
- Aggravated assault
- Assault with a weapon
- Mischief
- False alarm of fire
No fire was located upon the arrival of firefighters.
“Events like these demonstrate the dangers first responders face every day of their working lives,” said North Bay Fire Chief, Jason Whiteley. “Whether they are firefighters, police, or EMS, all first responders are exposed to significant risks to their physical safety and mental health simply by doing their jobs. Facing challenges like these head-on is one of the many reasons I am so proud of my team at North Bay Fire and Emergency Services and all the first responders we work with every day.”
Hookimaw is currently in custody awaiting a hearing at the North Bay Courthouse.
