Charlottesville: Fireman apologises for 'dumb joke' after posting Confederate hat selfie on Facebook

Philadelphia emergency services worker John Deluisi sorry after social image of himself dressed as white nationalist captioned 'Headed to VA' draws ire

The offending post (Facebook)

A Philadelphia firefighter says he was drunk and making a “dumb joke” about the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, when he posted a picture of himself holding a torch and wearing a Confederate flag hat on Facebook.

John Deluisi tells WTXF-TV he uploaded the picture, which he captioned “Headed to VA,” in response to another post referencing the Charlottesville rally, where torch-carrying protesters decried the planned removal of a Confederate statue. Three people died amid the turmoil Saturday, including a 32-year-old woman who was part of a crowd of counter-protesters struck by a car.

The Philadelphia Fire Department says it is investigating Deluisi's post and could take disciplinary action.

Deluisi removed the picture. He apologised and said he is disappointed in himself.

AP