FIREMEN CUT EXTENSION CORDS

Is mr morgan another home owner you are SEEKING TO DIVEST OF HIS HOME YOU MURDERERS?????????????????????

Pasco Man Jailed After Trying To Save Pets As Home Burns
By LISA A. DAVIS The Tampa Tribune
Published: November 21, 2008
Henry Morgan
ZEPHRYHILLS - Henry Ben Morgan wanted to save his pets.
Instead, he ended up in handcuffs and at least three dogs and a cat perished in the blaze that destroyed his home.
Just before 11 a.m. today, firefighters were called to 35615 Chester Drive and arrived 12 minutes later, finding the home engulfed in flames.
At some point, Morgan's wife arrived, followed by Morgan a few minutes later, said Pasco Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Mike Ciccarello.
Morgan started running for the house. Sheriff's deputies and firefighters yelled for him to stay back, but he kept going toward a window.
Deputies and firefighters, according to a report, restrained him so he could not jump through the window and into the blaze.
Morgan, 41, was forcibly removed from the scene, the report states, and was arrested on charges of obstructing the extinguishment of a fire, a felony, and resisting arrest without violence, a misdemeanor, respectively.
He was being held at the Land O' Lakes Jail this evening. Bail was set at $5,150.
About 20 firefighters continued fighting the one-alarm fire but couldn't save the animals or the home, Ciccarello said.
"It looks like a total loss," he said.
The family of five, including two teenage girls and a 7-year-old boy, are being helped by the American Red Cross.
The fire began between a garage-turned-bedroom and a utility room in the small ranch home. The cause was a worn extension cord that had been run under a door, Ciccarello said.
No one was injured.
Reporter Lisa A. Davis can be reached at (727) 815-1083 or ldavis@tampatrib.com.
MORE FROM THIS CHANNEL
• Port Richey Man Accused Of Dealing Pot
• Raymond James Gets In Line For Bailout Funds
• Woman Says She Was Oswald's Mistress
• St. Petersburg Attorney Faces DUI Charges
TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
chester drive • american red cross • ciccarello • alarm fire • resisting arrest • extension cord • land o lakes • assistant chief • report states • teenage girls • fire rescue • deputies • deputies • firefighters • handcuffs • misdemeanor • blaze • felony • flames • few minutes • violence
$('#mg_content_related').show();

Reader Comments
Voice your opinion by posting a comment.
View Paginated
Posted by ( mlamarca ) on 11/21/2008 at 06:08 pm.
I think the felony charge might be a little harsh, but the right thing was done to prevent him from finding the same fate as his pets.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( cancersucks ) on 11/21/2008 at 06:29 pm.
"No one was injured."eh?did you read what your wrote?"least three dogs and a cat perished "
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Steve ) on 11/21/2008 at 06:32 pm.
I think they might have arrested me too in that situation.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( steve1963 ) on 11/21/2008 at 06:36 pm.
i guess i should be shocked that cops here would arrest a distraught man trying to save his pets. (as though this is a crime) but i'm not. in the year i've been in florida, it's become painfully obvious to me that florida police are monsters who believe they can shoot anyone, arrest anyone, and do anthing to anyone just because they've got a badge. apparently the constitution doesn't apply here.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( oldcqr ) on 11/21/2008 at 06:50 pm.
Sheesh...There is something to be said about the difference between 'Letter of the law' and 'Spirit of the law'. The letter of the law may be a felony, but COME ON. The man was not in his right mind: 1 - his house was burning down, 2 - His pets were dying.Put him in custody, remove him from the scene. But charge him with a felony? That cop needs to be smacked upside the head with the reality stick.Hopefully the state/feds will decide to not prosecute this poor man.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Old_Crusty ) on 11/21/2008 at 06:59 pm.
Mr. Morgan look 'em straight in the eyes and keep repeating the statement, "I want a trial by jury." Things will get a little 'squirmy' about then. ;-I
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( UNCONSTITUTIONAL ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:03 pm.
He should not have been arrested at all. This is called "TEMPORARY INSANITY". Another jerk cop hiding behind basic probable cause for an arrest without any hope of a conviction unless his attorney sells him out for a plea deal. What a jerk cop.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( nunyo ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:06 pm.
yay cops!! way to serve and protect!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( kimbo ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:21 pm.
Lose, Lose, Lose everybody loses.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( news_fan_pam ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:23 pm.
Somebody'd be bailing me out of jail too. So sorry for your loss Morgan family.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( undisclosedname ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:39 pm.
Wonder if Obama will help change some of these dumb laws,,,,,
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( sowusay ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:47 pm.
Yeah! that's our wonderful legal system here in Florida these days...nothin' like kickin' em when their down. Question is, would they have still arrested him if it were his children he was trying to save. Well, to some people, thier pets are their children. I would have done the same as him, they should drop the charges, dismiss the case and let him get back to his family who needs him. The he11 with these cookie cutter BS laws, No compassion allowed.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( justice360 ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:48 pm.
first off, i am a fire fighter certified in this lovely state. for no reason should a fire fighter ever place hands on a person for trying to do what they should have been doing instead. give me a break a 1 alarm fire and you lost 4 pets and the whole house i have personaly fought a nice 3 alarm fire and managed to save the home or the pets, either / or something would and should of been saved! as for our lovely LEO's give me a break the man lost his home and family pets to charge him at all is ludicrous oh and last time i checked a home owner has the right to refuse the fire dept from putting out a fire on his property let alone from being on his property , unless the fire endangers other structures that do not belong to him . that officer should re-read his Florida state statutes . Good luck and God bless Mr. Morgan
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( JC3 ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:53 pm.
You've got to be kidding. This poor family. By instinct, I would run to the fire as well. My pooch is a member of the family. I would guess the officer doesn't have pets. Or perhaps the Land O Lakes police are not close to their arrest quota for the month. geezzzee.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( seekit233612 ) on 11/21/2008 at 07:59 pm.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( gswife ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:00 pm.
Alright where are all the ones that was writing to chain inmates to the floors at??? This is FLORIDA you don't have to do anything wrong to land in jail! I bet he gets prison time for this after all he didn't get the pets out of the house before the fire broke out so that was his fault too... And they will get him for the fire also so that's an arson arrest... yep going away for that 85% most likely because he didn't have a gun... well lets hope there wasn't one in the house or he will be getting that 5 years plus the time for the obstructing the extinguishment of a fire, a felony, and resisting arrest without violence... hummm I think we are looking at about 15 to 20 years.. after all he is one of those CRIMINALS now.. Heck where's the DA in all this?????? They should nail him to the wall... now lets see what else the DA can put on him.. oh.. guess what I forgot the cops pulling him back from the fire...... he put their lives in danger getting them to close to a burning building... that's attempted murder of a police officer... put him on Death Row... that takes care of everything now! :) Why are you all so surprised??
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( hemi_girl ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:17 pm.
I feel terrible for this entire family. The children and mom and dad lost everything in this fire including their family pets. Now, the police put the husband in jail???? Outrageous!! Now the family not only has to replace everything, find a place to live, clothes to wear right before the holidays PLUS come up with bail money to get dad out of jail. This is disgusting and I ask the Land O Lakes police department "where is the humanity in this???" My thoughts and prayers to the entire family for their loss today.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Turbomom ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:30 pm.
"No one was injured" Um, five dead pets, a family homeless, and did you get a look at his face in the mug shot? That looks like insult added to injury!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Great ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:40 pm.
How did his running in the house prevent them from extinguishing the fire? They need to keep spraying and the fire would go out. He should be charged with
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Great ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:41 pm.
attempted suicide.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Concerned1963 ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:51 pm.
Extinguishment is a WORD?? Seriously though, unless we're missing a big piece of the puzzle here, this poor guy ought to be left alone so he can comfort his family. I guess it's a felony to be human in Zephyrhills.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( renewingvows28 ) on 11/21/2008 at 08:53 pm.
he was just bonded out..thats pasco finest...what if it was their pets? no one would be able to stop them..
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( armyvet ) on 11/21/2008 at 09:27 pm.
yes sirey, i got my felony arrest for the week. see capt, im out here really dong my job, promote me please
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( GF ) on 11/21/2008 at 09:46 pm.
Lost home, lost pets, gained felony, tough day. Put me on that jury.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( northofcuba ) on 11/21/2008 at 10:06 pm.
Only in Florida. Meanwhile people here drive drunk, kill someone and get away with it. Or the two last week who rob and killed the woman shopping, yet they had records as long as your arm. Anywhere else they would have been in jail.This story should be brought to the national media so once again the nation can look at FL and just shake its head.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( MyOpinion1 ) on 11/21/2008 at 10:59 pm.
Poor family. They lost everything and had to come up with bail money to boot. Nice way to be in the holiday spirit. How absurd.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( nobull ) on 11/22/2008 at 12:01 am.
Just more evidence that the Police here are awful! All those charges, and higher bail than the average Child Molester or Drug Dealer gets!He can walk away if he can afford 10k to take it to a trial by jury.The law is unfairly applied in this area, this is a JOKE!!!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( welshiesdad ) on 11/22/2008 at 12:15 am.
Words fail me for a change...
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( nobull ) on 11/22/2008 at 12:25 am.
When an Employer or someone runs this man's record, they will see these charges & assume that he is some kind of thug. The record won't reflect the horrible circumstances.......how sad. The cop AND his boss need to be fired outright. How pathetic!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( bbdt ) on 11/22/2008 at 01:05 am.
Lets not leave out the judge who set the bail so high. WTF? Everyone should take a day and sit in court to just listen to the mockery of the justice system that occurs on a daily basis. It will scare the hell out of you to see how the court process works.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( reedylady ) on 11/22/2008 at 08:31 am.
I have been through what this family is going through now, and I can tell you that I would have done the same thing he did. I remember the shock of watching my home burn and knowing that I couldn't get my cats out. A friend tried to get in and get to them, but the police also stopped him.The difference being, the cops had brains enough to realize that you don't think too clearly in that situation and didn't arrest him! I can't believe that anyone could be this insensitive to the state of mind that that man was in!! I hope he fights this mess and wins!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( gswife ) on 11/22/2008 at 08:38 am.
Well he will be lucky to have a job now... he didn't call in and he was arrested.. if it was a big company so long buddy you can add him to the rest of us out here with no job! Lets just hope he didn't put this bail on a "card" because then he is really up a hose......... I really don't understand all of you you are the voting public of this state you voted in these laws and you are surprised at what they did... like what was said before go to a court house and sit in for the day and see what is going on in this state... they will most likely get im a Public Defender to handle the case and he will have him plead guilty so that they can put him on probation to save the man from having to do anything but stand up there in a $500.00 suit and smile at the judge the guy will go back to his family and have to live with that on his record!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( cyngc ) on 11/22/2008 at 09:38 am.
Arresting this man is a disgrace! I don't understand why the firemen or law enforement didn't act to save the pets. I guess the notices on my doors & windows "Rescue Us" are a waste. What would they have done if people were inside? I hope Mr. Morgan gets a good lawyer!
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( demick ) on 11/22/2008 at 10:12 am.
If it was me I would have ran in their for my pets. My life wouldnt be the same without them..Thats BS for arresting him. These cops have nothing to do
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Bob2 ) on 11/22/2008 at 10:27 am.
Bubba Sponge loves to talk about how "Pro Law enforcement" he is, and how great his relationship is with all the local Sheriffs. Lets see how quick he is to call out White regarding this disgrace.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( Saulray ) on 11/22/2008 at 10:47 am.
Those of you blaming Florida, go back to where you you came from, where life is wonderful all day long. There are bad things happening to people all over this country. I agree this is F'd up, give the guy and his family a break. I want to know if there is a fund set up for them anywhere? God Bless you Morgan family.
Report Inappropriate Comments
Posted by ( TOOPRETTYforprison ) on 11/22/2008 at 04:36 pm.
gad what scumbags. Too bad he wasn't shuffling crack, chokin his boo, leaving a woman to choke to death while he laughed, rear-ending his wife or molesting a child. All crimes which the firefighters have committed.We're NOT this desperate for help. GO AWAY. We'd rather go back to the bucket brigades.My neighbor (who is a fireman) used to come on my property and cut my extension cords. YES HE DID. Got him on video. And I wonder why that is??Funny how these folks weren't home and all the sudden up jumps a fire.hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMr. Morgan and family, sorry about your beloved pets and other belongings.Let us know where the real human beings NOT THE REDCROSS VAMPIRES and the CORRUPT firemen can send a few bucks your way.
Report Inappropriate Comments