Little Axe Fire Chief Surprised Over Volunteer's Arson Arrest

A Little Axe Firefighter is accused of torching five buildings including the football team’s field house. And the clincher is, the 18-year-old suspect is a former Little Axe football player himself.

Danyl Graumann was released from the volunteer fire department when the chief found out about the accusations. Chief Alan Schneider said this is the last thing he expected.

11/18/16 Related Story: Man Arrested In Field House Fire Was Firefighter For Little Axe Fire Department

"You know I’m speechless on the whole idea that one of my firefighters would go out and destroy other people's property,” said Chief Schneider.

The teen he helped teach to fight fires is now accused of setting them; four vacant buildings and the Little Axe Football Field house.

Graumann helped fight all five fires. The chief said Graumann had been interested in fire service for years. 

"He's been around here hanging out for the past couple years as one of our junior firefighters and I was just devastated. Shocked about it. And then I got mad,” said Chief Schneider.

Mad, the chief said, because of the lives Graumann allegedly put in danger.

“It's dangerous for my firefighters. And we run a lot of mutual aid for the City of Norman so, it's dangerous for their firefighters also,” said Chief Schneider.

Back in August, fire swept through the field house, causing about $50,000 in damage to equipment that Graumann and his teammates relied on.

Graumann is no longer a student at the school. His former classmates can’t believe he’s accused of doing something like this.

"He was a very sweet guy,” said former classmate Nicole Knapp, “He was very silly. He was a comical guy. But I don't know why he would do this, honestly. Because, I knew he loved to do football. He loved going to the games."

Chief Schneider added, "I'm very disappointed in him. You know? If he was having problems he could have come to us, he could have come to our chaplain. We have a department chaplain here. There's people to talk to. I just don't know what would make people do this."