Suspect arrested after holding Pennsylvania firefighters hostage

ELKINS PARK, Pa. -- A former firefighter is in custody after allegedly holding four firefighters hostage at gunpoint inside a firehouse in the Elkins Park section of Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County.

It was 10:39 a.m. when Cheltenham police were called out to the LaMott Fire House at Penrose Avenue and Graham Lane. Police say one male was holding four firefighters hostage in the basement with a handgun.

Prior to officers arriving on the scene, the armed suspect allegedly fired one shot into a wall and threatened to shoot the firefighters.

Heavily armed SWAT officers entered the firehouse through a garage. They then closed the garage door behind them as they secured the first floor of the building.

Negotiators were able to talk to the suspect by phone. They learned he was a firefighter who was in a dispute with the fire company and was fired on Monday.

After speaking with him for several minutes, authorities were able to convince the suspect to release the hostages.

He then surrendered to SWAT officers without a fight.

Police say the hostages were shaken up, but they're uninjured and holding up well. Everyone was taken to Cheltenham Police headquarters for questioning and processing.

Cheltenham Police Chief John Norris says, "Volunteer firefighters, especially in our town, are very dedicated people and they take it seriously. They do a tough job with no money, no pay. But they're dedicated to it. So when you get terminated, or you lose that job for some reason, it's very traumatic for the firefighter."

The firehouse is currently being processed as a crime scene.

The suspect's identity has not yet been released.