Gunman holds four firefighters in Atlanta

A gunman who barricaded himself inside an Atlanta home was last night holding four firefighters hostage.

Five firefighters responding to a 911 call were taken hostage by an unidentified suspect inside the house, Gwinnett County Police Cpl Edwin Ritter said. The gunman released one firefighter to move a fire truck.

A motive for the gunman's action is unclear, even though a police negotiator did manage to make contact with him.

There was no indication that any of the firefighters had been hurt, said fire department Capt Tommy Rutledge. He said the 911 call had seemed routine and his firefighters had not believed they were in any danger.