East Bay firm fires workers who mocked fire victims in posts
A San Leandro-based company helping to carry out Camp Fire recovery efforts fired three employees after residents called out multiple photos posted to social media that mocked victims or losses from the lethal blaze, according to statements by the company.
In one of those photos, posted by Rob Freestone to his Facebook account and then re-posted to a public group page about Butte County incidents, the body of a dead cat is placed on the ground next to a beer bottle so it appears to be drinking.
An accompanying caption reads: “Dude … I was just chilling with my homies, having a couple of cold ones and BAM … damn fire breaks out.”
In another image, Freestone appears to sit astride a home’s mailbox, telling a friend that he is pretending to ride a fire truck. In a third, posted to his account Dec. 5 Freestone stands in the center of a fire-destroyed trampoline, calling it stupid and adding that “it used to be called a Jumpoline until your mom got on it.”
The Town of Paradise’s Facebook page posted early Saturday about the photos.
“This is unacceptable and reprehensible behavior. Town leadership has contacted this subject’s employer and he will no longer be working in our Town. The Paradise Police Department is looking into criminal charges. #NotInMyTown #ParadiseStrong #RidgeRecovers”
According to KRCR-TV, Freestone has not been arrested or formally charged yet, and police said Bigge was working the fire as a subcontractor for Pacific Gas & Electric at the time
In a Facebook post Saturday morning, Freestone’s employer Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. said it was taking action.
“Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. regrets the insensitive and reprehensible actions of Mr. Rob Freestone. Mr. Freestone has been removed from the Camp Fire recovery effort and we are working with International Union of Operating Engineers regarding his actions,” the post read.
“Bigge fully supports Paradise and all of Butte County in the effort to recover from the fires and we will continue to do so.”
In a follow-up post Saturday afternoon, Bigge said it had dismissed Freestone and two other employees.
“We have identified three participants in this abhorrent event and their employment has been terminated. Bigge expects its employees and contractors to work with the utmost integrity and professionalism. The behavior of these individuals is not consistent with our company values and ethical code,” the statement read. “Bigge regrets that the residents of Paradise and Butte County have suffered an egregious insult during an already time at the hands of these three individuals. Bigge supports and appreciates all our surrounding communities.”