Firefighters speak out after Elkins Park hostage standoff

ELKINS PARK (WPVI) -- On Tuesday it was the scene of what could have been a horrible tragedy. On Wednesday we got a look inside the firehouse where a man took his former co-workers hostage in Montgomery County.

Paul Jordan fired a single shot into the basement wall at the La Mott Firehouse in Elkins Park, and allegedly told his former fellow firefighters, "The next one, I won't miss."

The men he took captive spoke with us today.

Fire Company President Mark Logan of the La Mott Fire Company tells us, "He pulled his gun out, and when he pulled his gun out a few of us got away. The one's that didn't he made us sit against the wall and empty out our pockets. He was just pacing back and forth."

Jordan had been terminated from the volunteer fire department on Monday. He arrived at La Mott on Tuesday agitated and armed.

The standoff lasted an hour, and may have been longer had several firefighters not ran when Jordan allegedly pulled the 9mm handgun and said "This isn't a game."

One of the firefighters tells us, "I was like, someone has to make it out of this basement to get to safety and have the cops called."

Another firefighter said, "He was dealing with a lot of issues in life. And sometimes when you're dealing with issues and you don't know how to reach out or deal with the issues, sometimes they can be overwhelming."

Mark Logan and the other hostages tried to calm Jordan. Others called over the phone. They told Jordan they loved him.

Finally, he gave up the gun, and then surprisingly they all hugged.

SWAT was entering the building upstairs, but their thoughts downstairs were with their friend Paul Jordan.

Jordan remains at a psychiatric facility. Police say he will be formally charged once released.

As for the La Mott Fire Company, the chief tells Action News it will be back in service on Thursday.