A Chatham man faces a handful of charges following an incident this morning in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent Police Service officials say early this morning at approximately 2:30 a.m. emergency crews responded to a fire at an apartment complex on Timmins Crescent in Chatham.
Smoke was observed coming out from under an apartment door.
As the homeowner prevented emergency personnel from entering, the jaws of life were used to pry open the door.
As officers entered, the man poured bleach on them.
He also slapped the first officer in the face and grabbed the second officer in the groin area.
The man refused to co-operate with police and fire personnel.
He was pepper-sprayed and apprehended so emergency crews could extinguish the fire on the stove before it intensified and put all residents at risk.
The 54-year-old Chatham man was arrested for mischief endangering life and two counts of assault peace officer.
He was transported to the hospital for a medical assessment.
