From Staff Reports 

Asheville police responded to a 10:45 p.m. July 4 call to assist firefighters battling a structure fire — and four people — in West Asheville’s Pisgah View Apartments.

The fire was under control, but residents had been aiming the fireworks; namely, pyrotechnic mortars and roman candles, at the emergency responders.

When police officers arrived, they, too, became the targets of the fireworks.

Police eventually stopped the assault by dispersing the crowd with pepper balls. 

No injuries were sustained by civilians or responders, but several government vehicles were damaged.

Four were arrested, including Angela Nichole Marko, 34, who was charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, possession with intent to manufacture and sell a Schedule 2 controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and resisting arrest. 

Also arrested for resisting law enforcement were James Lee Dontae, Jonathan Andrew Mejia and Giovannia Alexis Mejia, all 19, years old. 

In addition, Dontae also was charged with possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana.

The department said there were no reported injuries of emergency personnel or citizens. However, several city-owned vehicles sustained damage from the explosive devices. 

The incident remains under review, the Asheville Police Department said.