Man Cited After Bogus Fire Check

A man dressed as a fire official who peddled overpriced fire extinguishers to merchants has been cited, authorities said Thursday.

The citation to appear in court was issued after a merchant notified the Santa Paula Fire Department that two men sporting uniforms similar to those worn by fire personnel demanded that he allow them to inspect his firefighting equipment, according to Sgt. Steve Carter of the Santa Paula Police Department.

The merchant said the men, whom he described as extremely aggressive, told him that his fire extinguisher was not up to code and he was in violation of state laws, Carter said. The men, whose identities were not released, then offered to sell the merchant a new extinguisher for more than $70, Carter said.

The merchant bought the extinguisher, but later learned that similar extinguishers can be purchased for $25 at retail stores, Carter said. Authorities said they eventually found the men dressed in firefighter-like garb at a business in the 900 block of East Main Street and cited one of the men for conducting business without a license.