FIRE MAN
ARCHIVES: The Sixth Anuual Fire Dive
September 13, 2005
By

Ted Batchelor’s sixth annual fire dive off the natural falls under the Main Street bridge last Thursday night, went off with a hitch, at least until the 23-year-old would-be stunt man emerged from the water. Waiting for his were officers from the Chagrin Falls Police Department who apprehended the daredevil and later charged him with disorderly conduct, a minor misdemeanor which could cost Batchelor a maximum $100 fine. Batchelor, in the picture at right, brandishes his torch after lighting his fuel-soaked clothing just seconds before diving into the water below. Batchelor, who lives on Elm Court in the village, is scheduled to appear in Bedford Municipal Court on June 8 but may waive that right. This year’s event got more pre-publicity than was intended when a television station got wind of the usually clandestine event, announced the dive on its early evening telecast and then filed it under the glare of television lights. Contacted on Friday, Batchelor said he didn’t mind being cited this year. He says he is trying to compile a portfolio of his work which he hopes will help him get into the prestigious Hollywood stuntman’s union. Every bit of attention, he says, no matter how notorious, will help. While the stunt may look easy and carries with it a certain amount of celebrity, those thinking about attempting it should take heed. Like all magic, there are tricks as well as a good deal of skill and special preparation involved in doing it successfully. Anything shot of successful would be disastrous. (Sun photos by James Sekerak)