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National Fire News

Possible tornado tears roof off California fire station

VIDEO: A rare weather report in Fresno County, as residents reported a potential tornado had ripped the roof off a fire station. Witnesses said Tuesday that they spotted a small funnel cloud touchdown in the town of Tranquility.

“Rarely does one actually touch down and cause damage. With this job, just like with the public, you always have to be ready for everything. Fire Department, we’re not exempt from disasters happening, so we’ve got to respond and react,” said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Matthew Mosley.

Moments after the report, pieces of the roof of CAL FIRE Station 95, on West Morton Road, were sent flying in several directions, with some even landing across the street in an almond orchard.

Chief Mosely told Action News that his crew was responding to a call in Mendota when the initial reports came in. He’s now thankful they weren’t inside when those wicked winds swept through.

“There’s no damage to the residents or barracks of our station crews, and we just want to reiterate to the communities that our services aren’t affected by this damage. We’re still going to be here and doing our job,” Chief Mosley said.

KFSN-TV ABC 30 Fresno View Full Story

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VIDEOS: Wind turbine catches fire in Texas

PHOTOS: A wind turbine in Breckenridge caught on fire on Saturday morning. At around 7:36 a.m., on February 14, crews responded to a wind turbine on fire near the intersection of FM 717 just south of FM 207. Firefighters believe the fire was caused by a lightning strike. No injuries or deaths were reported at the fire.

Big Country Homepage View Full Story

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VIDEOS: Crews respond to fire at SkyLand Ranch in Tennessee

PHOTOS: Sevierville Firefighting crews responded to a fire at SkyLand Ranch that was discovered early Friday morning. According to Sevierville Fire Chief Matt Henderson, a 911 call reported the fire around 2:20 a.m., after people driving through Sevierville spotted a glow on the ridge.

When crews arrived, they found two large barn structures on fire. City of Sevierville spokesperson Bob Stahlke said the barns housed horses and small animals.

Sevierville Police were the first officials to arrive on the scene, and officers assisted in getting animals away from the area of the fire when firefighters arrived, Henderson told 6 News around 6 a.m. He said the fire was already advanced when firefighters arrived, and the higher elevation of where the barns are located led to struggles to get an adequate water supply.

Henderson said both barns a total loss. Firefighters continued working on the remaining wooded area. Henderson said no people or animals were injured in the fire.

WATE-TV ABC 6 Knoxville View Full Story

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Firefighters and florists in one Wisconsin city team up to deliver Valentine’s flowers for charity

VIDEOS: Firefighters in Eau Claire are trading their helmets for bouquets this Valentine’s Day weekend, delivering flowers door-to-door as part of a 15-year partnership that helps provide warm coats for children in the community.

The Eau Claire Firefighter Community Charity has teamed with Eau Claire Floral for the annual Valentine’s delivery program. This year, 10 firefighters are volunteering their time to hand-deliver arrangements throughout the weekend.

Genny Hay, who has owned Eau Claire Floral since 2008, said the partnership began when a firefighter approached her about bringing the program to the Eau Claire area.

“The city that he used to firefight in, they did the same thing,” Hay said. “So, he wanted to bring it to the Eau Claire area. So, I just jumped on the chance to have the opportunity to have the firefighters help us deliver and the extra just fun element for Valentine’s deliveries of it.” The flower shop typically handles a few hundred deliveries but expects that number to double this Valentine’s Day due to the firefighter delivery option.

WEAU-TV NBC 13 Madison View Full Story

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‘That’s why we do this’: How Cincinnati firefighters rescued girl with autism from icy gully

VIDEO/PHOTOS: An 11-year-old girl with autism was rescued on Wednesday after she ended up dangerously close to freezing water at Bramble Park, prompting an urgent response from Cincinnati firefighters.

Cincinnati Fire Department Rescue 9 responded, with Lt. Collin Grove overseeing crews at the park. “When we hear somebody’s in the water, we’re going to step things up a little bit,” Grove said.

He described the terrain crews faced: “We had about a 20-foot-tall ravine, and at the bottom of the ravine was the child, who had maybe a two-foot-wide path between the steep hill and the water.”

Firefighter Taylor Kuhlmann, with Cincinnati Fire Department Rescue 9, said crews could see the girl when they arrived but had concerns about the conditions.

WKRC-TV CBS/CW 12 Cincinnati View Full Story

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VIDEO: Trucker rescued after big-rig crash ended with cab dangling 7 stories above river in California

Emergency crews safely rescued a trucker whose big rig crashed partway off a rain-slick freeway bridge in Oceanside early Wednesday, leaving the driver suspended some seven stories above the San Luis Rey River.

The non-injury accident took place at about 5 a.m. Wednesday on northbound Interstate 805, just south of Harbor Drive, according to the Oceanside Fire Department.

Emergency crews arrived to find the cab of the tractor-trailer hanging off the edge of the San Luis Rey Bridge with the driver trapped inside about 70 feet above ground level, the city agency reported. Firefighters stabilized the vehicle, then removed its rear cab window, allowing them to pull the trucker to safety.

“The Oceanside Fire Department reminds motorists to exercise caution during wet-weather conditions,” OFD officials noted in a prepared statement. “If possible, avoid unnecessary travel during rain [and otherwise] reduce speed and maintain safe following distances behind other vehicles.”

KNSD-TV NBC 7 San Diego View Full Story

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Five Black women in Missouri make history as St. Louis firefighters rise to captain together

VIDEO: It’s a first for the city of St. Louis. The St. Louis Fire Department makes a historic move. Five Black women have been promoted to the rank of Fire Captain.

Promoted in order, the newly appointed Captains include:

  • Licole McKinney
  • Jessica Jackson
  • Pamela Saunders-Isaac
  • Elizabeth McCormick
  • Cicely Tucker

“It’s just unbelievable and it’s a pleasure and joy to share it with my sisters,” said Fire Captain Cicely Tucker. The St. Louis Fire Department said it hired its first female firefighter on Aug. 31, 1987.

Since then, the department has hired 33 women as firefighters. Of those 33, ten have been promoted to Fire Captain, and two have advanced to the rank of Fire Battalion Chief.

These five women will join Fire Captain Carolyn Moore, a 35+ year veteran of the department, bringing the total number of Black female Fire Captains in the department to six.

KSDK-TV NBC 5 St. Louis View Full Story

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VIDEO: Fire breaks out at Massachusetts bakery

An investigation is underway after a fire destroyed a beloved bakery in New Bedford. Crews responding to Sunrise Bakery & Coffee Shop off Bolton Street around 10 p.m. Wednesday found flames and smoke shooting from the roof.

Fire Chief Brian Medeiros said crews tried to fight the flames from inside the building when they first arrived on scene, but after 45 minutes, it became unsafe and they had to switch to an exterior attack.

Firefighters were eventually able to get the fire under control, but it left behind heavy damage.“My niece, who’s 9 years old, saw what happened tonight and cried because one of our favorite places to go and get a sweet treat is gone,” said Chelsea Silva. “It’s going to be a big loss that the community feels.”

The fire was contained to the business and did not spread to any buildings nearby. The house behind it only sustained minor damage to the vinyl siding. No injuries were reported and the cause remains unknown.

WPRI-TV CBS/MyNetworkTV 12 Providence View Full Story

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VIDEOS: Firefighters battle apartment complex blaze in South Carolina

PHOTOS: Firefighters went to a structure fire in Irmo early Tuesday morning, according to the Irmo Fire District. Crews from the West Columbia Fire Department, Lexington County Fire Service, and the Columbia Fire Department helped at the scene in the 100 block of Garden Path Lane at Woodland Village Apartments.

The first arriving units reported that heavy fire was coming from several windows, and the flames quickly spread into the attic and through the roof. The building had extensive damage, officials said.

“Once we got here, we noticed the rear of the structure on the second floor was compromised, so we pulled everyone out, and indeed it collapsed in the back, the second floor fell into the first,” Fire Marshal for Irmo Fire District Brian Haley said.

The Irmo Fire Marshal said the building is a complete loss. The building that caught fire served as the leasing office for Woodland Village Apartments.

WACH-TV FOX 57 Columbia View Full Story

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Retired Chicago firefighter undergoes successful kidney transplant after TV viewer sees his story

VIDEO: Last year, ABC7 introduced you to Patrick McDermott, a retired firefighter who was in desperate need of a kidney. On Tuesday night, we are happy to report that he now has one. Patrick underwent kidney transplant surgery a few weeks ago, and he is doing well.

He is crediting his wife for encouraging him to put his story out there and ABC7 viewers for stepping up to help save his life. “My faith is always with me,” Patrick said. “I have to look to God every time I get up before I put my feet on the ground.”

Overcome with gratitude and a new appreciation for life, Patrick has a new organ in his body. His kidney transplant surgery was a success. “I’m feeling better than I felt, and that’s a blessing,” Patrick said. “I feel like it’s a second chance.”

WLS-TV ABC 7 Chicago View Full Story

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NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson unveils ‘Helmet of Heroes’ tribute at DAYTONA 500 honoring fallen firefighters

This weekend at the DAYTONA 500, seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, in partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety and Carvana will wear a new “Helmet of Heroes” honoring America’s fallen firefighters.

Often when asked what he might have become from a profession standpoint if not a racecar driver, Johnson points to firefighting—a calling shaped by his upbringing in El Cajon, Calif., a community deeply impacted by major wildfires. That lifelong respect for courage, service, and sacrifice is at the heart of this weekend’s tribute.

“Growing up in El Cajon, I saw firsthand how much firefighters mean to their communities,” said Johnson. “I’ve always said that if racing hadn’t worked out, I would have wanted to be a firefighter. The courage, selflessness, and commitment it takes to do that job is something I deeply respect. The ‘Helmet of Heroes’ is about honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice and standing with the families who continue to carry their legacy every day.”

Through the Helmet of Heroes program, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB is honoring the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), which was created by the U.S. Congress to honor fallen firefighters, support their families, and reduce line-of-duty deaths and injuries.

Jayski.com View Full Story

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VIDEO: Raging 4-alarm New York City house fire kills woman, injures 8, including 2 firefighters

PHOTOS: A massive four-alarm fire tore through a Queens home Monday, killing a woman and injuring eight others, including a young man left fighting for his life, according to local authorities.

The raging inferno broke out around 6:44 p.m. on the first floor of a residential building on Dongan Avenue between Poyer Street and Broadway in Elmhurst, according to the FDNY.

A 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze and a 22-year-old man was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition, police said. Five other New Yorkers and two firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to police and fire officials.

Firefighters’ battle to quell the flames continued into Monday evening, with photos showing towering orange flames consuming the building and powerlines and spreading smoke to neighboring homes.

New York Post View Full Story

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Historic 1951 Mack fire engine returns to service in Pennsylvania

PHOTOS: The New Hope Eagle Fire Company has announced the return of its 1951 Mack LS85 engine following a 10-month “frame-up” restoration by Lee’s Emergency Equipment.

The 75-year-old truck, which the company voted a Life Member, is now fully functional and capable of driving and pumping water, the company reported on its Facebook page.

The Mack engine will be used at company and community functions starting this spring, the firefighters said.

The initiative to restore the Mack was championed by Eagle Fire Company Life Member Fred Williamson, who wanted to see the engine restored as close to its original delivery appearance as possible. Williamson passed away last January and never got to see the restored engine.

The New Hope Eagle Fire Company expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to its “Bring Back the Mack” fundraising efforts. They also thanked everyone who assisted with the project and noted Williamson’s dedication to the effort.

New Hope-Lambertville Patch View Full Story

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2 Florida firefighters cook up delicious meals for colleagues while serving community

VIDEO: Two Hollywood firefighters —usually known for fighting fires and saving lives —are also cooking up some delicious meals to serve their community. The duo from Fire Station Number Five is getting quite the reputation at the firehouse, as they are feeling the heat in the kitchen when it comes to cooking for their colleagues.

“This is the best job in the department. I get to come in and cook for these guys. I’ve been in the kitchen my whole life,” said Michael Donadio. Donadio, one of the fire truck drivers, goes all out, whipping up meals and feeding his crewmates lunch and dinner every day.

But he’s not alone. He gets some help from his sous chef, Perry Colato. “So at our station, Station Five, we’re downtown, we have 13 guys every day, sometimes we have a lot of big eaters, so we gotta make sure we have enough food for everybody,” said Colato.

WSVN-TV FOX 7 Miami View Full Story

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Businesses lost, firefighters injured in Tennessee fire

VIDEO: A large fire on the south side of the square in Fayetteville has destroyed much of a building that housed several downtown businesses.

The fire took place downtown on Market Street East on Sunday in the early morning hours, the Fayetteville Police Department said. The fire was reported out at 1 p.m.

The Skin Refinery posted video of the fire on their Facebook page and talked about their “shock and devastation” after hearing about the fire in the building their business is in.

Fayetteville Mayor Donna Hartman said she arrived to the fire at 3 a.m. after getting word. She confirmed firefighters were injured battling the blaze.

The mayor also said the City of Fayetteville stands with the business owners who face the long road to rebuilding in the weeks and months ahead.

Multiple agencies responded, including the Fayetteville Fire Department, Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency/Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Rescue, Huntsville Fire Rescue and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

WZTV FOX 17 Nashville View Full Story

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Texas museum brings an object of first responder history back to life

VIDEO: The Wichita Falls Fire & Police Museum and team have restored a fire truck from 1947, rich with local history.

The sound of the horn of the vintage fire truck represents a symbol of history and reflects a restored past.

The sound of the bell, it represents all the vintage fire trucks in the fire and police museum that honor the fire department in Wichita Falls.

“We brought it back to the museum, we towed it over here, had the transmission and the engine serviced, and we did a little bit of the cosmetic work to get it back to the midwestern state. It took us about two years to actually get the truck to where we received it from MSU, back to a football game,” Brad Corley said.

Corley, the president of the Wichita Falls Fire and Police Museum, said the museum has a large collection of fire trucks.

“Any history through the police and fire, we were willing to get, and so we spent about six years just going all over Oklahoma and Texas and getting our trucks and having some brought back. We’ve even been to Indiana and brought back one of our trucks, and so we have a large collection of macks,” Corley said.

Their goal is to acquire Wichita Falls’ original fire trucks and preserve their history. Now, the 1947 fire truck stands intact, representing MSU and our community.

KAUZ-TV CBS 6 Wichita Falls View Full Story

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BMW recalls nearly 90,000 vehicles over engine starter fire risk

BMW North America is recalling nearly 90,000 vehicles due to an engine starter issue, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Saturday.

The NHTSA said the recall involves 87,394 vehicles in the U.S. and is tied to an engine starter that may overheat, posing a fire risk, according to Reuters.

Dealers will replace the engine starter at no cost to owners, the NHTSA said.

The announcement comes after BMW recalled more than 145,000 vehicles in the U.S. in October over a starter defect that could overheat and spark a fire.

In September, BMW recalled 200,000 vehicles due to a similar issue, bringing the total number of affected vehicles to more than 341,000.

Those recalls affected certain 2019–2025 vehicles across six models, including the 2020 340i, X6, 2020–2025 840i, 2020–2022 740Li, and 2019–2020 X7 and X5.

Multiple automakers have issued recalls in recent weeks, including Chrysler, which earlier this week recalled more than 450,000 vehicles and more than 2,000 tow-trailer modules because of a brake light failure that could increase the risk of a crash, the NHTSA said.

WFLD-TV FOX 32 Chicago View Full Story

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Home in Ohio destroyed by fire, crews battle intense flames

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A house was destroyed by a fire overnight in Broadview Heights.

Crews responded to a home on Oakwood Trail just after 1 a.m. on Friday.

Police believe everyone made it out of the house safely, but fire crews battled intense flames that spread through the home.

Firefighters from multiple departments were called to assist.

There’s been no word yet on what started the fire.

WJW-TV FOX 8 Cleveland View Full Story

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Texas: No San Antonio firefighters have died from cancer since 2023, marking huge shift

VIDEO: It is a statistic the San Antonio Fire Department is beyond proud to announce: no firefighter has died from cancer since 2023.

It is a big decrease from the eight deaths reported from 2013 to 2023.

“I was with the hazmat team when I first started out, with the chemicals and what have you,” Lt. Carlos Esquivel said, who has served with the department for 25 years.

Four years ago, Esquivel showed up to the firefighter wellness fair, which offers cancer screenings.

“The fair, it caught my cancer. I had melanoma. I was able to take care of it,” Esquivel said. “It’s one of the quickest spreading cancers, so if you don’t catch it, if we wouldn’t have had this fair, I don’t think I’d have gone to a dermatologist.”

When it was mentioned that the outcome could have been different, he said, “Yes, you’d be talking to my wife.”

In 2018, KSAT interviewed the wife of firefighter Todd “Woody” Woodcock, who died of cancer in 2016. His death prompted changes that KSAT has been covering for the past eight years.

SAFD started changing cleaning and equipment protocols. KSAT even got a look inside the program that swaps out dirty gear after fires. Those big changes became a model for departments in other cities.

KSAT-TV ABC 12 San Antonio View Full Story

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Illinois firefighter named hockey referee at 2026 Winter Olympics

A Lake Forest Paramedic/Firefighter will be trading in her fire helmet for stripes, hockey pads and ice skates after she was named an official Hockey Referee for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy.

Sam Hiller, who has previously refereed Chicago Wolves games at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, was one of 10 females from the United States chosen to work as a hockey official at the Olympics, the city of Lake Forest announced on their Facebook.

“By day, she rushes into burning buildings and saves lives in our community,” the city announced. “Come February, she’ll be making split-second calls on the world’s biggest stage as the best hockey players on the planet compete for Olympic gold.”

The city said Hiller embodies dedication, quick thinking, and composure under pressure that defines both professions.

“Whether it’s a five-alarm fire or a five-on-three power play, she stays cool when things heat up,” officials continued.

Lake & McHenry County Scanner View Full Story

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