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Police & Fire
Maryland Man Accused Of Torching Jiffy Lube In Blaze Causing $225K In Damage: Officials Maryland Man Accused Of Torching Jiffy Lube In Blaze Causing $225K In Damage: Officials
Maryland Man Accused Of Torching Jiffy Lube In Blaze Causing $225K In Damage: Officials A firebug has been apprehended days after a blaze broke out in a Maryland business, causing upwards of $225,000 in damage, authorities announced. Aubrey Michelle Ellis, 57, is facing multiple charges following an investigation into a fire that broke out at Jiffy Lube in Silver Spring late last month, acco ng to a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson. At approximately 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, crews were called to Auto Sales Park in the 3200 block of Automobile Boulevard near Briggs Chaney Road, where there were reports of a fire. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Upon arrival, fir…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Virginia Man Opened Fire Out Apartment Window With Air Pistol, Police Say Virginia Man Opened Fire Out Apartment Window With Air Pistol, Police Say
Virginia Man Opened Fire Out Apartment Window With Air Pistol, Police Say An early morning shooting investigation in Virginia led to the arrest of a 23-year-old man who was randomly firing shots from an air pistol out of an apartment window, police say. Donis Manuel Chan Ajtum is facing nearly a dozen charges following a strange scene that played out early on Thursday morning, according to the Arlington Police Department. Officers responded shortly after 4:30 a.m. on Nov. 6 to the 1200 block of S. Courthouse Road, where there was a reported shooting. Police said that officers were flagged down by a man who had been struck by a projectile, and later located a sec…

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by Zak Failla
Business
$850K In Fire Damage Sparks Major Recall Of Power Stations $850K In Fire Damage Sparks Major Recall Of Power Stations
$850K In Fire Damage Sparks Major Recall Of Power Stations More than 25,000 portable power stations are being recalled due to fire and burn hazards. EcoFlow Technology is recalling about 25,030 EcoFlow Delta Max 2000 Model EFD310 Power Stations, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Oct. 9. The power stations can overheat and ignite, posing a risk of fires and serious burn injuries. Six fires have been reported, causing more than $850,000 in property damage. There have been no reported injuries, according to the CPSC. The recall covers black-and-silver units with a rectangular LCD on the front and six outlets on the ba…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Man Set Fourth Of July Blaze Near BOE Building In Maryland, Fire Marshal Says Man Set Fourth Of July Blaze Near BOE Building In Maryland, Fire Marshal Says
Man Set Fourth Of July Blaze Near BOE Building In Maryland, Fire Marshal Says A Maryland man has been charged with sparking a Fourth of July fire just steps from a Board of Education building, investigators said. Deputy State Fire Marshals announced the arrest of Michael Gage Butler, 30, of Cumberland, who was taken into custody last Thursday by state troopers after being connected to an Allegany County blaze. The fire broke out around noon on July 4 near the Board of Education maintenance building at 211 Market St. in Cumberland.  Firefighters from the Cumberland Fire Department, with help from the Cumberland Police Department, were able to quickly knock down …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Fires, Explosions Spark Large Recall Of Wireless Power Banks Fires, Explosions Spark Large Recall Of Wireless Power Banks
Fires, Explosions Spark Large Recall Of Wireless Power Banks More than 33,000 wireless power banks are being recalled after the lithium-ion batteries caught fire and exploded, causing $20,000 in property damage. The recall affects about 24,000 ESR HaloLock power banks sold in the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Aug. 14. About 9,900 portable chargers were sold in Canada. The lithium-ion battery in the recalled units can overheat and ignite, creating fire and burn hazards. Waymeet Limited, the Hong Kong-based distributor, has received nine reports of the batteries catching fire and exploding. N…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Dozens Of Burning, Melting Smartwatches Force Large Recall Dozens Of Burning, Melting Smartwatches Force Large Recall
Dozens Of Burning, Melting Smartwatches Force Large Recall A popular smartwatch is being recalled after dozens melted or caught fire while charging, causing burns and property damage. Deale International is recalling about 2,900 Altafit af28 smartwatches, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, Aug. 7. The watches were sold by TV shopping network HSN for about $50 from March through May 2025 for about $50. The company has received 39 reports of the watches burning while on the wireless charging pad. According to the CPSC, there have been at least six cases of burns to users' hands and property damage. The affec…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Mini Fridge Fires Cause $700K In Damage, Sparking Massive Recall Mini Fridge Fires Cause $700K In Damage, Sparking Massive Recall
Mini Fridge Fires Cause $700K In Damage, Sparking Massive Recall More than 630,000 mini refrigerators sold at Walmart and Amazon are being recalled after dozens reportedly caught fire or melted. Curtis International is recalling about 634,000 Frigidaire-brand mini fridges, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Thursday, July 24. The internal electrical parts in the fridges can short-circuit and ignite the plastic housing, posing serious fire and burn hazards. There have been 26 reports of the mini fridges "smoking, sparking, burning, melting, overheating, and catching fire." Two people suffered smoke inhalation, whi…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
$1.1M Townhouse Fire In DMV Caused By Spontaneous Combustion: Report $1.1M Townhouse Fire In DMV Caused By Spontaneous Combustion: Report
$1.1M Townhouse Fire In DMV Caused By Spontaneous Combustion: Report A fast-moving early morning blaze tore through multiple Virginia townhouses, causing more than $1.1 million in damage, fire officials said. Firefighters responded around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, to the 5000 block of Dunstable Lane in the Kingstowne area, where flames and smoke were seen pouring from the rear of several units, according to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. A second alarm was quickly called as crews worked to knock down the flames to prevent it from spreading, officials said. #FairfaxsBravest are on scene of a 2-alarm townhouse fire in the 5000 blk of Du…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Arsonist Torches Trucks, Damages Maryland Shopping Center In Early Morning Fire, Officials Say Arsonist Torches Trucks, Damages Maryland Shopping Center In Early Morning Fire, Officials Say
Arsonist Torches Trucks, Damages Maryland Shopping Center In Early Morning Fire, Officials Say Two vehicles were destroyed and a shopping center partially damaged in an early-morning arson attack in Maryland, authorities said. Firefighters responded to a pair of vehicle fires around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, July 21, outside the Country Boy Market at the Glenmont Center on Randolph Road in Silver Spring, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue officials. The fire outside Country Boy Market in the Glenmont Shopping Center. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Crews found both vehicles ablaze, with flames extending to the exterior awning of the shopping center.  The fire outsid…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Lightning Strike Destroys Maryland Barns, Shed In $200K Blaze: Fire Marshal Lightning Strike Destroys Maryland Barns, Shed In $200K Blaze: Fire Marshal
Lightning Strike Destroys Maryland Barns, Shed In $200K Blaze: Fire Marshal Three buildings were leveled and a garage was damaged when a bolt of lightning set fire to a Conowingo property, officials say. The fire broke out shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, at a private property on the 100 block of McCauley Road, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. It happened approximately an hour after Cecil County went under a Flood Warning due to severe weather conditions. Investigators said the owners heard a lightning strike, then discovered flames spreading through several buildings on their property. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had engulfe…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
These Wedding Issues Lead To Most Insurance Claims, Travelers Says These Wedding Issues Lead To Most Insurance Claims, Travelers Says
These Wedding Issues Lead To Most Insurance Claims, Travelers Says Weddings may be getting pricier, but the biggest day of couples' lives is still getting wrecked by the same old problems, according to a new study. Travelers Insurance released its list of the most frequent wedding claims of 2024 on Monday, June 30. The Hartford, Connecticut-based provider said vendor issues were once again the top reason couples filed claims in 2024. Those problems, like DJs or florists backing out of weddings, made up 27% of all paid claims. "Soon-to-be-weds already have enough to worry about leading up to their big day," said Deidre LeBlanc, vice president of speci…

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by Chris Spiker
Business
Mini Fridges Cause $360K+ In Fire Damage, Sparking Massive Recall Mini Fridges Cause $360K+ In Fire Damage, Sparking Massive Recall
Mini Fridges Cause $360K+ In Fire Damage, Sparking Massive Recall Nearly a quarter million mini fridges are being recalled due to electrical issues that can increase the chances of a fire, officials said. AstroAI is recalling 249,100 of its four-liter/six-can mini fridges, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced on Wednesday, June 18. The fridges were sold on Amazon and AstroAI's websites between 2019 and 2022 for about $40.  According to the CPSC, the fridges can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards. At least 70 incidents have been reported, including two fires that caused over $360,000 in property damage. The fridges…

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by Chris Spiker
Police & Fire
Vacant Maryland Bar Goes Up In Flames After Owner Turns On Power: Fire Marshal Vacant Maryland Bar Goes Up In Flames After Owner Turns On Power: Fire Marshal
Vacant Maryland Bar Goes Up In Flames After Owner Turns On Power: Fire Marshal A former Maryland bar went up in flames Monday night, causing an estimated $250,000 in damage, fire officials said. Dozens of firefighters battled a two-alarm blaze that ripped through the vacant Beachcomber bar and restaurant on Bladen Street in Charlestown, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The fire broke out just after 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, fire officials said. The owner and another person were reportedly checking on the property when they tried to turn on the electricity, heard a noise, and later spotted smoke, according to the fire marshal’s office. They called 911 an…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
10+ Acres Burned After Backhoe Fire Spreads In Washington County: Officials 10+ Acres Burned After Backhoe Fire Spreads In Washington County: Officials
10+ Acres Burned After Backhoe Fire Spreads In Washington County: Officials A fire sparked by a burning backhoe in Washington County tore through more than 10 acres of woodland, causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage before firefighters could bring it under control, authorities said. Firefighters responded to the 11400 block of National Pike in Clear Spring around 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, after flames spread from a backhoe to a nearby shed and then into the surrounding woods, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. The property owner had started his 1982 Case 580 K Backhoe to let it warm up and left it idling while he went inside his ho…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
41,000+ Birds Perish In Maryland Chicken House Blaze: Fire Marshal 41,000+ Birds Perish In Maryland Chicken House Blaze: Fire Marshal
41,000+ Birds Perish In Maryland Chicken House Blaze: Fire Marshal A devastating fire tore through two chicken houses in Somerset County, killing upwards of 41,000 chickens and destroying a vehicle, officials said. The blaze broke out over the weekend at a property on Pete’s Hill Road in Princess Anne, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. When the property owner arrived at the farm, one of the chicken houses had already collapsed in flames.  Investigators say he tried to prevent the fire from spreading to another chicken house but was overtaken by the fast-moving flames, which also engulfed his Toyota Highlander. Firefighters from the Princ…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
$700K Lost In Massive Garage Fire At Maryland Home, Officials Say $700K Lost In Massive Garage Fire At Maryland Home, Officials Say
$700K Lost In Massive Garage Fire At Maryland Home, Officials Say A devastating fire tore through a large attached garage in Maryland, destroying $700,000 worth of property, officials said. The blaze erupted shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, at a single-family home on Sennett Road, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Fire investigators said the fire started on a workbench inside the 40' x 80' garage, where several electronic appliances and lithium-ion batteries were stored. By the time more than two dozen firefighters from the Denton Volunteer Fire Company brought the fire under control 40 minutes later, the garage had been complete…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Fire Destroys State Highway Administration Facility In Maryland, Investigators Say Fire Destroys State Highway Administration Facility In Maryland, Investigators Say
Fire Destroys State Highway Administration Facility In Maryland, Investigators Say A massive fire tore through a Maryland State Highway Administration facility in Centreville, causing an estimated $800,000 in damages, officials said. The Office of the State Fire Marshal reported that the blaze broke out around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6 at the SHA facility on 111 Safety Drive, according to investigators.  Fire crews from Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company and surrounding agencies arrived to find heavy flames consuming multiple vehicles and the storage garage where they were parked. The fire quickly escalated to two alarms, requiring dozens of firefighters to battle …

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by Zak Failla
News
Pets Killed, Homes Damaged: 500K Stoves Recalled Over This Fire Risk Pets Killed, Homes Damaged: 500K Stoves Recalled Over This Fire Risk
Pets Killed, Homes Damaged: 500K Stoves Recalled Over This Fire Risk Half a million electric ranges are being recalled after reports of the stoves accidentally turning on, causing fires and killing pets, officials said. LG is recalling about 500,000 stoves due to a fire hazard linked to front-mounted knobs, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a news release on Thursday, Feb. 6. The recall includes LG Slide-In and Freestanding electric ranges with knobs that can be accidentally turned on by humans or pets. The issue has led to at least 86 reports of unintentional activation, resulting in 28 fires, the CPSC said. At least five fires caused exte…

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by Chris Spiker
News
One Taken To Burn Center After Kitchen Fire Tears Through Maryland Home One Taken To Burn Center After Kitchen Fire Tears Through Maryland Home
One Taken To Burn Center After Kitchen Fire Tears Through Maryland Home One person was taken to the burn center when an overnight fire broke out in a Montgomery County home. Shortly before midnight on Friday, first responders were called to the 10000 block of Maple Leaf Drive near Apple Ridge Road in Montgomery Village, where there was a reported fire that broke out in an area home. Fire investigators say that they believe the fire began in the kitchen on the first floor of the residence, possibly from a light fixture, but the cause has not been determined. Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Officials noted that there were "excessive storage" conditions inside the home.…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Small Fire, Big Questions: Molotov Cocktail To Blame For Blaze At MD Business: Fire Marshal Small Fire, Big Questions: Molotov Cocktail To Blame For Blaze At MD Business: Fire Marshal
Small Fire, Big Questions: Molotov Cocktail To Blame For Blaze At MD Business: Fire Marshal A Molotov cocktail was to blame for a small fire that was reported overnight at a Harford County business, investigators say. Members of the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company were called shortly before midnight on Saturday to Precision Tune Auto Care in the 1800 block of Precision Tune Auto Care in Edgewood, when an alarm company alerted them to a fire in the building. Upon arrival, crews found a small fire in the office area of the business, which was knocked down within minutes, though approximately $5,000 in damage was caused. No injuries were reported. According to the Maryland Fi…

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by Zak Failla
Business
John Deere Recalling 150K+ Compact Utility Tractors For Faulty Brakes: CPSC John Deere Recalling 150K+ Compact Utility Tractors For Faulty Brakes: CPSC
John Deere Recalling 150K+ Compact Utility Tractors For Faulty Brakes: Cpsc Nearly 150,000 John Deere vehicles that were sold nationwide are subject to a recall due to faulty brakes that can create a potential crash hazard, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is cautioning.  This week, the company announced a massive recall involving multiple models of their "Compact Utility Tractors," which may have a front bell crank in the brake linkage that can fail, resulting in the tractor losing its ability to stop.  The recall, impacting an estimated 147,900 tractors, was announced on Sept. 26.  To date, there have been four reports of brakes fa…

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by Zak Failla
Business
Company Recalling 866K Spa Pumps Sold Nationwide That Pose Injury Risk, Caused Fatal Fire: CPSC Company Recalling 866K Spa Pumps Sold Nationwide That Pose Injury Risk, Caused Fatal Fire: CPSC
Company Recalling 866K Spa Pumps Sold Nationwide That Pose Injury Risk, Caused Fatal Fire: Cpsc Hundreds of thousands of AirJet and HydroJet Spa Pumps sold across the country are subject to a recall due to a fire hazard that resulted in at least one death, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  This week, CSPC and Hong Kong-based Bestway International announced that they are recalling approximately 866,000 pumps that can overheat, causing its plastic housing to ignite, increasing the risk of fire or injury. CPSC says that there have been at least three fires reportedly involving the spa pumps, including one that led to a massive house fire in January 2024 in…

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by Zak Failla