NORTHAMPTON — A Ryan Road man is due in court on Dec. 22 for arraignment on a charge of interfering with firefighters who responded to his house to extinguish an illegal backyard burn.
Michael Kokoski, 31, was summoned to appear in Northampton District Court after allegedly threatening and chasing Northampton firefighters away from his house at 44 Ryan Road on Nov. 17, according to court records.
A neighbor reported the fire at around 7:18 p.m. Court records state that responding firefighters quickly retreated and called for police backup after Kokoski “chased them,” claiming they had no right to be on his property, and said, “I’ll kick your a**.”
Two police officers arrived at different times. The first officer said he noticed “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from Kokoski’s mouth,” and that Kokoski demanded he leave the property, as well, according to records.
Kokoski was allegedly burning leaves, trash, plastic and cardboard unattended and with no water supply nearby. Police said “a large can of racing fuel” was near the fire, and there was “odor and extensive smoke in the area.”
The second officer to arrive “de-escalated” Kokoski to the point that firefighters were able to put out the fire, according to court records.