An active fire at an Ocoee recycling center led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man after he allegedly impersonated a firefighter.

On Wednesday, April 22, at around 7:40 a.m., an Ocoee Police Department officer responded to GLE Scrap Metal (922 N Lakewood Avenue in Ocoee) in reference to a fire. Upon arrival, the officer observed that all of the recycling plant’s employees had been evacuated, and several firefighters were battling the blaze, according to the arrest report.

The officer noted that while first responders were securing the area, a man – later identified as 20-year-old Mount Dora resident Henry Roth – walked past all security checkpoints. Roth was reportedly wearing “dark blue pants and a lighter blue shirt with fire emblems on it,” and he was “carrying a radio on a lanyard around his shoulder and waist, indicating he was a firefighter.”

Roth then allegedly attempted to enter the recycling center without permission, and he was stopped by a fire marshal who was inspecting the blaze. The fire marshal escorted Roth off the premises and informed Ocoee police that Roth “did not belong there.”

During an interview with law enforcement, Roth reportedly referred to himself as a “fire enthusiast,” and he mentioned that he is “trying to get into the fire academy.” Roth further stated that he “likes taking pictures of fire scenes as a hobby.”

The report said that Roth had taken multiple pictures while at the incident location, and he was observed “wandering around the area where the fire was being contained.” In addition, Roth allegedly took photos of a “tactical board” that “contained the names and information of every firefighter on scene.”  

After being advised of his Miranda rights, Roth reportedly admitted to photographing “many fire scenes” since August 2025, though he claimed he “usually stay(ed) on the sidewalk.”

Roth was placed under arrest and booked into Orange County Jail. He is being charged with impersonating a firefighter and interfering with a firefighter, which are both third-degree felonies.

Ocoee police do not believe that Roth was involved in causing the fire at the recycling center.