Seems like Brian J. White's roles have started to inspire his personal life. The Chicago Fire actor plays the role of Captain Dallas Patterson in the show. As the show explores both the professional and personal lives of firefighters and rescue personnel, there is plenty of drama and action. However, I doubt that White ever intended to see that action in real life. Nevertheless, he put his Chicago Fire skills to use as he stopped a real life arsonist wielding a flame-thrower.
Videos by Wide Open Country
'Chicago Fire' Actor Takes Down Arsonist Wielding A Flame-Thrower
As he was making preparations to flee his own neighborhood, because of fires looming closer, White heard shouts outside. He shared with Deadline, "I hear screaming, 'Put it down, put it down.'" When hearing that the actor assumed there was a shooter outside. After safely hiding his daughter in a closet, he went outside to investigate.
However, when he came outside it was not a gunman that stood before him, but an arsonist. The man was wielding a flame-thrower and had been trying to light fire to White's trashcan. One of White's neighbors observed the man trying to set fire to the sticks and leaves that were tucked in the can. Similarly, the NY Post shares that that same unidentified neighbor saw the man 20 minutes earlier trying to light fire to a Christmas tree.
White Springs Into Action
The arsonist, Sierra-Leyva, had entered the country illegally and was now trying to wreak havoc on the already suffering state. The Chicago Fire actor sprang into action and helped to take down the arsonist wielding a flame thrower. He and his neighbors successfully backed the man into the front yard of one of the nearby houses.
Then, White tried to calm him down as two other neighbors restrained him. While he wasn't putting out any fires, White did use some of his training. He told Deadline, "It was more a hostage negotiating training. I've gone on a lot of police ride-alongs over the years, and one of the many things they talk about is staying calm and communicating."
The neighbors successfully restrained Sierra-Leyva with zip ties and rope, while White clearly communicated that he did not need an explanation. He said, "I don't really care for an explanation. He's standing on my property with an ignited blowtorch, so I'm just going to make sure that he waits until the police come."
The Aftermath
The Chicago Fire actor's wife recorded the ordeal from across the street. After the citizen's arrest, White admitted that the arsonist became very erratic. Luckily, police arrived shortly after. Sierra-Leyva was arrested and charged with "felony probation violation. Apparently, police argued that there was not enough evidence to slap him with an arson charge.
I suppose the fact that he was holding an ignited blow torch and had been caught by several eyewitnesses trying to light fire to dry brush was not enough evidence? Similar to my skepticism, the neighbors who caught the man disagree with the police's "lack of evidence" claim.
Additionally, White added the following statement. "The fires were approaching from us where that man had come from, so it was suspicious that the fires crept over closer to his timing of being in our neighborhood using a blowtorch."
Furthermore, ICE placed a detainer on Sierra-Leyva following his arrest. However, due to California's sanctuary state law, it is unlikely that that will be honored. While White may not agree with the police charges at least he can rest a little easier knowing that his neighborhood is protected by "vigilant residents."
