Why We Carry: Firefighter Stabbed While Putting Out Fire

AUSTIN, TEXAS — In an incident that occurred during a ‘normal day at the office’, a firefighter from Austin, Texas, suffered a stabbing injury while tending to multiple fires close to the downtown vicinity near I-35 and Riverside Drive. The Austin Fire Department relayed the incident through a social media post.

Media: Early this a.m., an @austinfiredept FF was working several🔥s near IH35/Riverside; he was stabbed in the thigh by person on scene. The FF was taken to the hospital, treated, and released; he's home and doing ok. Suspect arrested on scene; contact @Austin_Police for info.

— Austin Fire Info (@AustinFireInfo) May 29, 2023

The unsettling event took place as a man named Kelly Ingroum allegedly confronted the firefighting crew in an aggressive manner, culminating in him stabbing a firefighter in the thigh. The Austin Police Department swiftly intervened, arresting Ingroum on the spot.

Following the assault, the firefighter received medical attention at a local hospital and has since been discharged, now recuperating at home, as shared by the Fire Department’s update. Ingroum now faces charges of aggravated assault on a public servant. The circumstances led to a temporary closure of a section of the I-35 highway, lasting approximately one hour, as reported by FOX 7.

First responders, including firefighters, routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve our communities. While their primary duty is to save lives and ensure public safety, it’s undeniable that they sometimes face dangerous situations, as the incident in Austin has unfortunately illustrated.