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Firehouse News

Aug 01, 2010

A truck carrying hundreds of lab rats caught fire on Interstate 70 in Ohio County Saturday morning, according to officials.

The cab caught fire around 8:30 a.m. near exit 11.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze and save the rats from the fire.

Aug 01, 2010

Fire Damages Pa. Church Steeple

July 30--ASYLUM TOWNSHIP -- A fire on Thursday destroyed the steeple and caused other damage to the French Asylum United Methodist Church, which was built in 1867, in Asylum Township.

During the blaze, the bell in the steeple fell, crashing through the floor of the steeple and coming to rest on the floor of the balcony area behind the sanctuary, said Jack Kilmer, treasurer of the church.

The sanctuary of the church had smoke and water damage, said Chad Benjamin, chief of the Wysox Volunteer Fire Company.

Aug 01, 2010

Milwaukee FF Injured at House Fire

MILWAUKEE

A Milwaukee firefighter was taken to the hospital after battling a fire.

The blaze broke out around 8:00 p.m. Saturday on the first floor of a home near 33rd and Hadley streets..

The Milwaukee Fire Department told 12 News that several people were inside when the fire broke out, but were able to escape unharmed.

Officials said damage to the home is estimated at $20,000.

The firefighter suffered minor injuries and was transported to St. Mary's Hospital. He is expected to be OK.

Aug 01, 2010

Wash. FF Investigated for Theft

BONNEY LAKE, Wash.

An East Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighter was arrested and placed on leave after allegedly stealing money from the Fire Department, said Fire Chief Jerry E. Thorson.

Bonney Lake police arrested Shane McBane on July 20 and charged him with four counts of theft, according to a press release from East Pierce Fire and Rescue.

During the week of July 5, department members told authorities they noticed a small amount of money missing from the proceeds of bike helmet and life jacket sales.

Aug 01, 2010

Mo. Firefighters Overcome by Heat

LIBERTY, Mo.

Two Liberty firefighters were treated at a hospital late Friday after battling a business fire.

Investigators said the fire started at about 10 p.m. in the attic area of the Check Into Cash location at 957 W. Liberty Drive.

Firefighters said the business sustained extensive damage.

Investigators said the two firefighters were overcome by heat and went to a hospital for treatment. They were released a short time later.

Jul 31, 2010

Apparatus Authority Bids Farewell

Bob Barraclough announced his retirement from the conference circuit at Firehouse Expo.

Bob Barraclough has been in the fire industry for at least 50 years and knows a thing or two about fire apparatus. His buddy, Alan Saulsbury, has just about the same amount of experience and both shared their expertise recently at Firehouse Expo.

Jul 31, 2010

11 Saved From Burning Yacht in Mass.

CHATHAM, Mass. --

Coast Guard crews were called to rescue 11 people Friday night off the coast of Chatham after a 44-foot yacht caught fire.

Crews were notified by a 911 call around 11:35 p.m. indicating the Hyannis Port-based yacht Bronze Monkey was on fire 3 miles south of Wychmere Harbor.

"When we arrived on scene, we could see the boat was engulfed in smoke," said Petty Officer First Class Matthew Hussey. "As we got closer, we could see flames and everyone on the bow."

Jul 31, 2010

Pa. Firefighters Pull Man From Trench

BALDWIN BOROUGH, Pa.

Emergency responders pulled a man out of a trench that police said collapsed on him Friday afternoon in Baldwin Borough.

Channel 4 Action News' Ashlie Hardway reported that the man was waist-deep in dirt and mud in the yard of a house on Sagebrush Drive, unable to move for about two hours.

Sky 4 flew over the scene, where firefighters, police and people wearing hard hats were gathered around a hole in the ground that was surrounded by dirt and rubble.

Jul 31, 2010

50 Calif. Firefighters Victims of Cuts

On a somber Friday morning at San Jose's Fire Department Training Center, 33-year-old rookie firefighter Michael Hidalgo reluctantly handed over his uniform, badge and assorted safety gear, then said his goodbyes.

"I'm devastated," said Hidalgo, one of 50 firefighters being laid off because of budget cuts. "I never thought this would happen. I came here with the intent of serving 30 years."

Jul 31, 2010

Puppies Dropped Off at Fla. Fire Station

OSTEEN, Fla.

Volusia County firefighters found an unusual surprise at the fire station.

They said someone left several puppies in the bed of one of their vehicles at Station 36 in Osteen.

Crews had been caring for the dogs, and have found homes for the puppies.

Jul 31, 2010

Fla. FFs Share $73M Powerball Jackpot

TALLAHASSEE

The Florida Lottery announced on Friday that the $73.8 million jackpot from the July 10 Powerball drawing has been claimed.

Elizabeth Choras-Hanna, 35, of Hollywood, was the lucky winner.

Lottery officials said she will receive a one-time, lump-sum payment for the winnings in the amount of $38,929,055.11.

Jul 31, 2010

Massachusetts Condo Explosion Injures Eight

A condominium under construction exploded, hurting five workers, a resident and two FFs.

A condominium under construction exploded, injuring five workers, a resident and two firefighters.

Jul 31, 2010

Georgia Fire Chief Accused In Theft

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office officials arrested a former volunteer fire chief after he allegedly forged and cashed checks meant for other firefighters.

Detectives arrested Todd Christopher, 36, of Canton, on Friday after a two-week investigation. Officials said Christopher was the volunteer fire chief of the Holbrook Campground Volunteer Fire Department.

Jul 30, 2010

Rehab Stressed at Firehouse Expo

Too many times, warning signs leading to line of duty deaths are overlooked on the fireground, leading to unnecessary tragedies, Montgomery County, Md. Firefighter/Paramedic Erik Gaull told attendees at Firehouse Expo.

Jul 30, 2010

2 Workers Killed in L.A. Building Blast

An industrial building with a tampered gas line exploded Friday, killing a man who was hurled into the street and another who was electrocuted by a downed power line

Jul 30, 2010

Va. Town May Consider Preemption

Rocky Mount's fire chief and a firefighter died after hitting an SUV that had a green light.

Rocky Mount officials may discuss the installation of traffic pre-emptive devices following the deaths of a firefighter and the town's fire chief.

Jul 30, 2010

Report: Fallen Kansas Firefighter Removed Mask After Becoming Sick

He had removed his helmet and face piece to try to clear vomit and was overcome.

Jul 30, 2010

Oregon FF Burned by Antique Engine

A Sherman County firefighter was badly burned as he tried to fix an antique fire engine earlier this week, the South Sherman Fire District reported.

Josh Higgins was helping fellow firefighters move the engine from a fire substation in Kent to the main station in Grass Valley, where it was to be restored, said Assistant Chief Glenn Fluhr.

Jul 30, 2010

NYC Mayor Addresses Disability Abuse

<?xml:namespace prefix = dme />Recently, stories have been published about FDNY firefighters retired on disability competing in martial-arts matches and triathlons.

Jul 30, 2010

Houston Firefighter Injured in Wreck

HOUSTON --

A firefighter was hurt in a collision in southwest Houston on Thursday.

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Houston police said the wreck happened at the intersection of Chimney Rock and Westheimer roads at about 8:45 a.m.

A firefighter suffered a minor injury to his leg. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The intersection was closed while crews cleaned up the mess. It has reopened to traffic.