Spikes in road delay emergency response

POULSBO, Wash. — The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office is investigating after spikes on the road flattened a Poulsbo Fire truck's tire during a 911 call Thursday morning.

Poulsbo fire said the incident happened around 9:30 a.m. on Highway 305 near George Lane while a crew was responding to a commercial structure fire call on Bainbridge Island. Firefighters heard a "loud clunking noise" and said the truck became difficult to drive.

Crews discovered pieces of the spike wedged in the tire, Battalion Chief Chris Morrison said. The pieces were around 3 inches long.

"It's the first time I've heard of such a thing and we're very concerned," he said.

It's not the only report of a similar situation in Kitsap County. In the past two weeks, spikes flattened tires on at least three vehicles.

"There were other instances in the county so somebody is purposely doing this," Morrison said.

On Jan. 12, Kingston resident Abby Rose says she found at least six similar spikes in the parking lot of a cemetary by Kingston High Schook, which is about 10 miles away from Poulsbo. She took pictures of the spikes and warned nearby residents about her discovery.

"It looked like someone strategically placed them. They were sort of buried in the gravel but they also weren't thrown," Rose told KIRO 7.

The spikes resemble what some refer to as caltrops, which are often used as weapons. First responders fear someone is intentionally scattering the spikes across Kitsap County.

"I don't know what to say about the people that are doing this kind of thing," Morrison said.

The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said puncturing the tire of an emergency vehicle is considered malicious mischief. Anyone with information is asked to give investigators a call.

Cox Media Group