Feb. 1, 2017 at 10:42 p.m. See updated article at: http://www.cullmansense.com/articles/2017/02/01/sbi-and-state-fire-marshal-leading-investigation-wednesday-nights-fatal-fire
UPDATED Feb. 1, 2017 at 6:38 p.m.
Sadly, CPD Chief Kenny Culpepper has confirmed that Frank Kane, the man who barricaded himself in his home with gasoline, has died.
"It didn't end the way we wanted it to," he said somberly.
It's a tragic end to a standoff that's been unfolding since approximately 3 p.m. At that time, a relative of Kane's arrived at the home and observed Kane dousing the residence with gasoline, according to Culpepper. The relative was able to evacuate Kane's elderly mother from the home.
Authorities were attempting to make contact with Kane, who was known to local law enforcement from previous incidents, when the home went up in flames.
"The gasoline in the house was to a level where we couldn't go in and talk to him," said Culpepper. "In the past, we've been able to go in and speak to him. Because the accelerant had been spread on all on the carpets, we couldn't put people inside. We were trying to negotiate with him, and had Cullman Fire Rescue on standby, but we couldn't get a response. We were in the process of sending a robot with a camera in to see what was happening, and all of a sudden the house just flashed. It started back in the bedroom where he was barricaded and spread throughout the whole house. At that point Cullman Fire Rescue and officers on the scene tried to help and put it out as quickly as they could, but unfortunately, he is deceased."
Culpepper says two or three emergency responders were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
UPDATED Feb. 1, 2017 at 6:11 p.m.
According to dispatch reports, Frank Kane, the man who had barricaded himself inside a home with gasoline, doused himself in gasoline and the home is now fully involved in flames.
Check back for updates.
UPDATED Feb. 1, 2017 at 5:01 p.m.
CULLMAN – Cullman Police are on the scene of a home in the 1600 block of Catoma Lane where a man, identified by Cullman City Police Chief Kenny Culpepper as Frank Kane, has reportedly barricaded himself inside with gasoline. According to Culpepper, Joint Tactical Force officers, from both the CPD and the Cullman County Sheriff's Office, are working in conjunction with Cullman Fire Rescue to determine if there is, in fact, any accelerant present in the home, and if so, if it is an amount sufficient to cause an explosion. Neighboring homes have been evacuated as a precaution.
"We received a call about an individual that's had some mental health issues," said Culpepper from the scene. "We've had to take him into custody in the past. According to a relative, he purchased a container of gas and has barricaded himself in the bedroom."
Culpepper says the first step is to ensure the safety of everyone involved, and that means making sure there is no threat of an explosion. "We're taking this slowly, step by step," he said. "We want to do this as safely as possible." He says that the tactical team and fire department have special meters that can detect the amount of gasoline, if any, is present in the home.
The second step, he says, is attempting to negotiate with Kane. Officers do not know if Kane is armed.
"We want to get him out and get him some help," he said.
Members of Cullman Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are on standby.
This is a developing story.
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