VIDEO: Music and memories filled Constitution Hall where hundreds of family members, first responders and policymakers celebrated the lives of the 67 people killed in a midair collision over the Potomac River one year ago.

“As we tried to make sense of the unimaginable, our families came together,” said a cousin of the Livingston family that lost a mother, Donna, and father, Peter, as well as their two daughters Everly and Alydia. “Families we had never met before found themselves connected in loss and by the shared work of how to move forward.”

“While we were powerless in that moment to help our loved ones, we were not powerless to help each other so that’s what we did, and we’ve been doing that ever since,” said Doug Lane who lost his 16-year-old son Spencer and wife Christine.

This memorial was organized and funded by victims’ families. In addition to honoring their loved ones’ lives, they took this opportunity to highlight the weeks of work by first responders, awarding each with a medal on stage.

“When the initial response ended, you kept coming back. Searching, working and ensuring that every one of our loved ones was ultimately returned home to us,” said another cousin of the Livingston family. “That commitment means more to our families that words can express.”

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PHOTOS: A massive fire burned on Laurel Island overnight Wednesday, causing ash to fall from the sky in Mount Pleasant, according to reports.

Charleston Police and fire crews responded to the former landfill turned greenspace just before 11 p.m. after a fire was seen near Romney Street.

Due to the fire containing grass, brush and debris, the Charleston Fire Department requested specialized brush firefighting vehicles from the Charleston, Saint Johns, and Mount Pleasant Fire Departments. Drone units were also deployed to assist in monitoring the conditions as they developed.

The fire reportedly affected approximately 20 acres of undeveloped land, and no structures were threatened by the blaze. Crews remained on the scene for several hours, declaring the fire fully extinguished just before 2 a.m. on Thursday.

It is not clear at this time what started the fire or if anyone was injured.

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Two people were hurt and several were displaced Tuesday following a fiery explosion at a Bell Gardens apartment complex, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

Crews were called to the area of Purdy Avenue and Loveland Street sometime before 6:30 p.m., officials said. There, firefighters battled a fire that was described as a “fully involved” incident at a two-story home.

“We just heard a loud sound bump, but we thought it was a car crash, and I saw people running and that’s when I came out and there was a lot of flame coming out and someone yelling help,” said Becky Villagomez, who lives in the area.

NewsChopper4 was over the scene, where heavy smoke was seen coming from the roof and a shattered window on the second floor. At least 60 firefighters and numerous emergency vehicles were seen tending to the scene.

Cellphone video also showed flames shooting from the roof of the apartment complex on Purdy Avenue.

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VIDEO: As sub‑zero wind chills settle in across Chicago, a rare and visually striking winter pattern has begun forming along the Lake Michigan shoreline: pancake ice — round, lily pad‑like discs that look sturdy, photogenic and deceptively walkable. But the Chicago Fire Department wants to send a clear warning: do not step onto the ice — any of it.

Deputy District Chief Jason Lach, who oversees CFD’s marine and dive operations, explained pancake ice forms when turbulent, freezing water begins to spin small chunks of ice into circular pads. From above, they resemble lily pads floating just off the shoreline.

“If you’re looking at it from above, it looks like a lily pad — just a circular disc in the water,” Lach said. The discs may appear thick, but their structure is uneven. Lach noted pancake ice “could be an inch in the middle and four inches on the outside, or vice versa,” making its stability impossible to judge from the surface.

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PHOTOS: Fires can spread quickly through a home, which is why it’s important to know how to slow that spread. KTXS spoke with the Abilene Fire Department about the training firefighters use to understand how fire moves through a structure.

“We have small dollhouses that we build to kind of replicate a full size structure,” AFD Training Division Captain, Trent Farmer, said. “We use those so you can visually see each part of the house. And that allows us to have people stand back in a safe environment where we can teach them and show them actual live fire without actually having to use a regular structure.” Farmer said one of the most important skills firefighters learn is how to control airflow.

“Natural windows and doors, if you keep everything closed, that restricts the flow path,” Farmer said. “Fire wants to move from higher pressure to lower pressure. So if you stop the ability to flow, I mean, we recommend that everyone sleeps with their door shut That allows us more time, and that allows our percent of the chances to help you guys and put the fire out and the survivability of the victims.”

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: An apartment fire in Bee Cave on Monday morning caused a “structure collapse,” according to fire officials. Lake Travis Fire Rescue crews responded to the fire at the Estates at Bee Cave apartment complex, located in the 3500 block of FM 620 South after a structure collapse. Assistant Fire Chief Michael Prather said crews first responded after receiving a call around 9:30 a.m.

Around 1 p.m., the fire had been contained. By 2:15 p.m., the fire was under control. Prather said the fire impacted one building at the complex, forcing 45 people out of their homes.

Officials said all of the impacted people were able to make it out safely. One responding firefighter was injured after slipping on ice. Lake Travis Fire Rescue said 30 of the 45 people displaced by the fire have found places to stay, whether with friends or family, or in vacant apartments within the apartment complex.

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The oldest continuously operating fire station in the world was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. It’s in Northern Michigan and was built in 1888. The Manistee Fire Station, 281 1st St., was added to the national register on Jan. 20, city officials announced.

For generations, it has been a “cornerstone of public safety and community resilience,” the news release said. “Its distinctive architecture and enduring role in protecting the citizens of Manistee highlight both its historical and cultural significance.”

The designation underscores the station’s importance and guarantees that its legacy will be preserved for future generations, the release said.

This isn’t the first time the Romanesque Revival-style facility has earned recognition. In 2019, the Manistee Fire Station was awarded the title of “Oldest Continuously Manned Operating Fire Station” by Guinness World Records.

The fire station is one of more than 150 documented historic sites in Manistee County.

In the wintertime, the county “becomes an open-air museum blanketed in snow, each building, bridge and trail telling stories from lumber camp days to maritime trade and Victorian life,” according to Manistee Tourism.

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A Ford recall tied to engine block heaters matters now because winter habits—plugging in overnight—can quietly create the exact conditions that raise fire risk.

I’ll be honest: most recall headlines blur together until one lands in the overlap between “common behavior” and “rare but serious outcome.” This one sits right there.

If you live anywhere that gets real cold, you already know the routine. You plug the vehicle in overnight so the engine warms a bit before start-up. It’s practical, it’s normal, and it’s the kind of thing you do without thinking twice—especially if you’ve done it for years with no drama.

The issue is that this recall is specifically about the engine block heater system: the part that gets energized when the vehicle is plugged into household power. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Ford, certain block heaters may crack and allow coolant to leak, which can create an electrical short when the heater is plugged in. That short can raise the risk of an under-hood fire while the vehicle is parked.

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One person was killed and 15 other people were hurt after a high-rise fire in the Bronx. Citizen App video from a wider angle showed the top floors of the building as they turned into an inferno. The fire broke out early Saturday at 12:19 a.m. on Bivonia Street between Reeds Mill Lane and Boston Road in Eastchester.

It started on the 15th floor of the Boston Secor Houses. The FDNY was on the scene at the time to investigate a possible gas leak in the building. Officials say work was being done in the building, but only on the facade. The explosion occurred in the building about 15 minutes after emergency officials arrived on the scene.

Several apartments became fully engulfed in flames. Residents were seen in the windows of the building and one man was even spotted dangling with his legs out of the building as he tried to escape the intense heat from the fire. One person was killed, another suffered critical injuries.

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VIDEO: A San Antonio firefighter is now the center of a pilot program that allows him to help his fellow brothers and sisters dealing with substance misuse. His addition to the counseling team offers a professional therapist who also understands the trauma firefighters go through.

Chris Raymond has worked for the San Antonio Fire Department for 22 years, spending the last 15 on the technical rescue team. His job in the department just shifted again, this time to the counseling team for a brand-new pilot program.

“As far as we can tell, the research we’ve done, it is the first of its kind, the only one in the nation. So right now, we’re kind of on the cutting edge of things,” Raymond said. He said it’s not only the first to add a licensed chemical dependency counselor to a fire department team but also one that is a firefighter himself.

“Having a firefighter occupy the position of a clinician is unique. I don’t sit in the seat and think, ‘I wonder what that’s like.’ I’ve lived it, and in many cases, I’ve lived it with them,” Raymond said. While the career is fulfilling, it can take its toll.

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VIDEO: On Friday, first responders got a lesson in homemade explosives at the Danville Fire Department. Crews said while this has not been an issue in Central Illinois, it’s better to know what to do just in case. More than 40 police officers and firefighters learned to identify how homemade explosives are made, and what do to when faced with them. They also saw how regular household items can be dangerous.

“Identify potential hazards that we may encounter on the job, specifically explosive hazards,” said Ben Crane of the University of Illinois Police Department. Police officers and firefighters got an in-depth lesson at the Danville Fire Department on homemade explosives, with the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“As first responders, we’re the first ones to get in these situations and so there may be a time where they go on a routine call, and encounter things that you start to put together that tells you that this is not typical,” said Ryan Allison of the Danville Fire Department.

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PHOTOS: Milwaukee firefighters responded to a large commercial fire Wednesday night, Jan. 21, at a U-Haul Moving & Storage facility in Walker’s Point. Milwaukee Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations Schuyler Belott said the call came in shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday to the U-Haul Moving & Storage facility near Barclay and Orchard.

A FOX6 News crew on scene observed firefighters working to contain and extinguish the fire. Heavy flames could be seen coming from the building. According to the Milwaukee Fire Department, cold temperatures and wind made the fire attack more challenging. In addition, many void-spaces within the buildings made it difficult to find hidden fires.

MFD companies remained on the scene Thursday extinguishing spot fires. Fire officials said the size of the building and the intensity of the fire prompted a significant response early on. A total of 37 first responder units were dispatched to the scene. Belott reported no injuries and said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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VIDEO: As America approaches its 250th birthday celebration, the Prattville Fire Department has found a creative way to turn trash into patriotic treasure.

An American flag made from old fire hoses hangs in the fire department as a symbol of gratitude and love of country. Instead of scrapping the decommissioned hoses, they decided to turn them into an art piece for what they call their home away from home.

“Just to walk in- it just give you a sense of pride in something that you say hey I did that 8 to 10 years ago,” said one firefighter. Captain Michael Weigel of the Prattville Fire Department said the idea began in 2015. “We decided we could make these unique wall art for our home and then at the same time be able to express our patriotism,” Weigel said.

Each flag is unique, carefully cut to a particular size and painted by hand. The most detailed work involves the stars. “Probably the most tedious part of this was each one of the stars- we use a stencil to do the stars…” Weigel said, “but each star in the end process is completely hand done.”

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VIDEO: Firefighters are getting ready for something that could save lives in a different way. Across Pennsylvania, first responders are taking part in Autism Awareness for First Responders, a training created by Orwigsburg Fire Department Captain Zach Kirsch.

“We’re doing Autism Awareness for First Responders,” Kirsch said. “It’s a program I wrote with the help of some others last year. It debuted last September, and it really took off.” The idea behind the training is deeply personal. “My son’s autistic,” Kirsch said. “I saw a need for it in the community. A need for responders to learn about the autism spectrum disorder, to make sure people are safe during emergencies and to spread awareness.”

Research shows emergency calls, with loud sirens, flashing lights, and sudden physical contact, can be overwhelming for people on the autism spectrum and their families. “You’ve got to slow down when you respond,” he said. “Find the caretaker. Know how to talk, rather than a run-and-gun method.”

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Firefighters battled a massive blaze at a Kansas City junkyard. The Kansas City Fire Department says it responded to the fire just after 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, near 13th and Kensington Ave. Crews say the fire started in a stack of tires and spread throughout large portions of the junkyard.

News crews on the scene reported roads closed, including 14th St., Jackson Ave. and Kensington Ave. while firefighters contained the scene. Crews also observed a power outage that may be connected. According to Evergy’s outage map, 457 customers in the area lost power due to an “unidentified” cause. Power has since been restored.

KCFD warned those in the area to avoid inhaling smoke from the fire at its height. “Hopefully everyone is okay down there,” said De’Shawn Evans, who lives in the area. “I actually use that junkyard sometimes for extra change here and there if I need it or I have scrap lying around. So if it’s a loss, that’s bad for the community because it actually comes through sometimes for a lot of people.”

No injuries were reported. KCFD stayed on scene throughout the night to oversee hot spots. Some significant areas of fire were deep-seated in piles of rubble and junk, requiring heavy equipment to uncover for extinguishment.

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VIDEO: When a building fills with thick, black smoke, visibility drops to zero. For firefighters, every second counts. But that reality is starting to change for the Corpus Christi Fire Department.

I got a chance to try on this helmet, part of a new QWAKE technology system designed to help firefighters see through smoke and complete darkness. “Built in infrared camera that’s into the helmet. That really kind of sees through smoke,” said David Zarate, assistant fire chief.

The technology gives firefighters an advantage in times where the naked eye can’t keep up. And it doesn’t just help the firefighters inside.

Firefighters in the truck can monitor exactly what the firefighter wearing the helmet is seeing, giving staff real-time visuals during a fire.

Fire Captain Loosemore says before this, searches were often done without being able to see what was right in front of them.

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PHOTOS: Images of firefighters at work, along with a Bald Eagle, American flag and stars are featured in a mural designed and painted by Warren County artist Daniel Guevara which adorns the side of Hawtree Volunteer Fire Department in Wise.

In the center of the design is the image of a Hawtree fire truck with flames behind. The mural also salutes the fire department’s place in the Warren County community as Station No. 8.

For Guevara, the mural is meant to show everyone now and for years to come that firefighters, like members of Hawtree Volunteer Fire Department, are heroes. “The most important element of the design is the fire truck,” he said. “It is a great honor to show people that heroes are here.”

Guevara has completed several artistic projects in the Warren County community. The first large mural was one he completed at Mill Hill Brewery in Warrenton three years ago in tribute to Hillmon Poythress. In the middle of 2025, he completed a mural on the back of the Bragging Rooster Beer and Mead building.

After he completed the Bragging Rooster mural, he told the newspaper that the art he has created in Warren County represents a renaissance, or re-energizing of his lifelong talents and interest in art that began shortly before he immigrated from Colombia several years ago.

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PHOTOS: Video shows Wyoming firefighters carrying a small child to safety and helping two adults escape a third-floor apartment during a fire Monday night.

The Wyoming Fire Department is still investigating what caused the fire, which broke out around 8:45 p.m. at Crossroads Apartments on Clyde Park Avenue SW near 44th Street SW. When crews arrived, they found smoke and heavy flames that were moving toward the roof. Then, they learned there were people trapped on the third floor.

Helmet video released by the fire department Tuesday shows crews hurrying to put a 35-foot ladder up to the window of the apartment where the people were. “Do not jump,” firefighters can be heard telling a woman in the apartment. “There’s a ladder coming up.”

“Help me,” the woman said as she handed a child out of the window to a firefighter. “Thank you. Thank you guys. My baby, please, my baby.”

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VIDEO: At a UPMC training center in Lemoyne, Cumberland County, EMT Matt Warner counts out loud with elbows locked and pushing hard and fast. Teaching strangers how to save a life is what he does for a living. Last year, though, Warner became the one who needed saving.

“[During the] Farm Show [in] 2024, I was working in our first aid office. I was perfectly fine that morning, and then, next thing I know, I’m on the ground looking up,” Warner said. Co-workers rushed in, starting CPR and grabbing an AED.

“They did chest compressions on me for about three or four minutes. They delivered one shock and continued chest compressions for another minute or so, and then I woke up there,” he said. At the hospital, doctors discovered a blockage in his heart and put a stent in the then-43-year-old.

Warner says survival often depends on who’s nearby. Bystander CPR saves lives, but research shows only about 20% of people actually step in during an emergency. He says this is, in part, because of fear and myths they potentially see on TV.

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PHOTOS: Firefighters at the Great Jones Street firehouse in Lower Manhattan, New York, were in the midst of a shift change on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center.

By the end of the day, 10 of the 14 firefighters from the station that houses Engine Company 33 and Ladder Company 9 would be killed, and the cab of Ladder 9’s truck would be crushed by falling debris.

Nearly 25 years later, the truck Ladder 9 firefighters used to rush to the scene of the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history is being restored at 10-8 Emergency Vehicle Service in New Holland.

For Jon Bredbetter, a service technician at the company that sells, repairs, and customizes emergency vehicles, the work has become a passion project. The U.S. Marine Corps veteran said he was excited by the idea of helping restore a piece of history.

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