Firehouse.com

<?xml:namespace prefix = dme />The U.S. Justice Department has denied a $295,194 benefit to the children of Racheal Wilson, the Baltimore fire cadet who died in a widely criticized training exercise in 2007, saying that the city's Fire Department failed to submit paperwork establishing her eligibility for the funds.

"The department and the city not only failed Racheal when she was alive, but they've failed her when she was dead," said Bob Sledgeski, the head of the firefighter's union.

SEBASTIAN, Fla.

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Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze at a Sebastian crematorium Wednesday.

Indian River County Fire Marshal Brian Nolan said the fire started at the Seawinds Funeral Home at 735 Fleming St. shortly before 2 p.m.

The fire burned four bodies which were about to be cremated. Nobody was reported injured in the fire.

Nolan said the fire only destroyed the crematorium and not the funeral home.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Perhaps there's no one better to teach lessons about what it takes to become a leader in the fire service than United States Fire Administrator Kelvin Cochran -- the nation's top fire official. Cochran was appointed to the position by President Obama and took his place at the top in August.