Washington County, MD — A 37-year-old Hagerstown man has been arrested for intentionally damaging the sprinklers at a hospital where he was a patient.
According to the State Fire Marshall’s Office, Chad Allen Callis, was a patient in the West Wing of Meritus Medical Center. On August 25,around 7:30 p.m., asked a nurse for towels to take a shower.
When the towels were given to him, he went back to his and within minutes, the fire alarm activated and staff observed water coming from his room.
Deputy State Fire Marshals investigated and determined Callis intentionally damaged the fire sprinkler which caused flooding to occur throughout the hospital floor.
The activation of the fire alarm system and subsequent clean-up caused an estimated $2,000.00 in damages.
Callis was arrested and charged with causing a False Alarm and Malicious Destruction of Property. He was transported to Washington County Detention Center but later released on his recognizance.
If convicted of these charges, he could face penalties not to exceed five years and/or $5,500 in fines.
Chad Allen Callis