posted June 2, 2005
A man described as an "irate customer" at a local restaurant was arrested Thursday afternoon for disrupting business by activating a "pull station" fire alarm, when there was no fire.
The incident actually occurred on Tuesday around 10 p.m. at the Applebees Restaurant on Shallowford Village Drive. Senior Firefighter Henry McElvain with the Fire Investigation Division said Michael Oliver, 23, became irate when the restaurant refused to serve him alcoholic beverages, reportedly because the man already appeared to be intoxicated.
Investigator McElvain said Oliver got loud and very angry, and as employees escorted him out of the restaurant, Oliver grabbed at a pull station and activated the fire alarm. The Chattanooga Fire Department responded to the (false) alarm with six fire companies, but cancelled their response when they discovered there was no fire.
Investigator McElvain obtained witness information at the restaurant, and arrested Oliver on Thursday, charging him with making a false report and reckless endangerment.
McElvain said intentionally initiating a false alarm is a serious offense. "He was charged with reckless endangerment," said McElvain, "because of the potential for wrecks on the road while our firefighters were responding to this non-emergency."
Oliver admitted to pulling the alarm, saying he was mad because they (restaurant personnel) wouldn't serve him a drink, officials said.
After being charged, Oliver was transported to the County Jail for booking.
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