A woman is in custody after she allegedly stole a fire rescue vehicle from the scene of an active house fire in British Columbia.
Police and fire crews were responding to a call in Campbell River on Vancouver Island Tuesday, when the woman allegedly climbed into a specially-equipped SUV and drove off. The vehicle had been positioned to block off a road and was left running to power emergency equipment and flashing lights.
Police say the woman simply climbed into the vehicle and drove it away.
RCMP mobilized patrol cars and a helicopter to give chase to the stolen Ford Escape.
The suspect failed to escape and was taken into custody.
Police expect to charge the unnamed suspect with theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property.
Chief Ian Baikie of Campbell River Fire Rescue says he's never seen anyone steal a fire vehicle in his over 25 years of experience.
"I've talked to my colleagues in other parts of the country and no one's had this happen," he said.
Baikie added that the vehicle was parked around the corner from the house fire, putting it out of sight of the first responders fighting the blaze.
Campbell River Fire Rescue is now looking at modifying its fire rescue vehicles so their emergency lights can remain operational with the keys out of the ignition and the doors locked.
With files from CTV Vancouver
