Tag:

Firefighting

Mulch-Fueled Inferno Still Burning Days After Maryland Garage Fire Ignites Debris Mulch-Fueled Inferno Still Burning Days After Maryland Garage Fire Ignites Debris
Mulch-Fueled Inferno Still Burning Days After Maryland Garage Fire Ignites Debris A massive fire at a Maryland recycling site is still burning days after it broke out, with crews unable to fully extinguish the flames due to the sheer amount of fuel feeding it, officials said. The blaze started shortly after 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at a commercial garage on Ocean Gateway in Wye Mills, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Firefighters arrived to find not only the building on fire, but also large piles of mulch, lumber, and debris burning across the property. More than 100 firefighters responded to the scene, working across three alarms to try to get the fire u…
Snow Outside, Flames Inside: Middle-Of-The-Night Townhouse Fire Forces Residents Out Snow Outside, Flames Inside: Middle-Of-The-Night Townhouse Fire Forces Residents Out
Snow Outside, Flames Inside: Middle-Of-The-Night Townhouse Fire Forces Residents Out As snow piled up and temperatures dropped, firefighters were battling something far hotter in Maryland — a middle-of-the-night townhouse fire that forced residents out into the cold and lit up a quiet neighborhood with flashing lights and heavy smoke. Fire crews were dispatched to the 9800 block of Rainleaf Court in Columbia at approximately 2:05 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, after reports of a townhouse fire, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. The Howard County fire. Howard County Fire and Rescue Firefighters worked for roughly 90 minutes to bring the bl…
Tractor-Trailer Parts Ignite Blaze That Scorches Acre In Maryland: Fire Marshal (PHOTOS) Tractor-Trailer Parts Ignite Blaze That Scorches Acre In Maryland: Fire Marshal (PHOTOS)
Tractor-Trailer Parts Ignite Blaze That Scorches Acre In Maryland: Fire Marshal (Photos) What started as a pile of tractor-trailer parts turned into a fireball that scorched an acre of land in Allegany County, fire officials said. The blaze broke out around 3:05 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, in the 17400 block of Breakneck Road in Flintstone, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Investigators said the homeowner had pulled the engine out of a 1997 Freightliner the day before and set it next to a pile of mechanical parts and the truck cab.  By the next afternoon, black smoke was rising — and flames were chewing through the pile. The fire spread quickly, torching approxim…
Fire Erupts In Virginia Neighborhood As Home Explodes In Flames (PHOTOS) Fire Erupts In Virginia Neighborhood As Home Explodes In Flames (PHOTOS)
Fire Erupts In Virginia Neighborhood As Home Explodes In Flames (Photos) Flames tore through a Fairfax County home Monday afternoon, sending heavy smoke billowing into the air as dozens of firefighters fought to contain the blaze, officials said. Crews were dispatched around 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 8 to the 12200 block of Folkstone Drive in Herndon, where they arrived to find fire showing from all levels of the home, according to Fairfax County Fire/Rescue. The scene of the Fairfax County fire. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Photos from the scene show walls engulfed in flames and thick black smoke as firefighters stretched multiple hose lines and raised ladde…
Maryland Home Torched Twice: Cameras Catch Arsonist Running From Burning Building Maryland Home Torched Twice: Cameras Catch Arsonist Running From Burning Building
Maryland Home Torched Twice: Cameras Catch Arsonist Running From Burning Building A Maryland home that went up in flames earlier this year was set on fire again — this time with security cameras catching the arsonist in the act, officials said. The blaze broke out around 1 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 at a vacant residence on Augustine Herman Highway in Kennedyville, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Security cameras from the Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company captured a suspect igniting a fire on the outside of the home before bolting from the scene, investigators said. The property, now owned by Francis Bonass, is no stranger to fire crews. Investigators bel…
Fundraiser Launched For Daughters Of Maryland CNA Shot Before Pennsylvania Fire Fundraiser Launched For Daughters Of Maryland CNA Shot Before Pennsylvania Fire
Fundraiser Launched For Daughters Of Maryland CNA Shot Before Pennsylvania Fire A fundraiser has been launched to support the daughters of a Maryland CNA and mother of three who was killed in a Stewartstown Borough home before it caught fire. Jennifer Troch, 41, and Michael Shores Jr., 54, both of the first block of North Main Street, were found unconscious on the second floor of a burning home at 2 North Main Street on Sunday, Aug. 3. Firefighters forced entry, carried the pair out in cardiac arrest, and rushed them to WellSpan York Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Autopsies confirmed both died from gunshot wounds to the head, according to the York County Cor…
No Arson Found In House Fire That Killed 6 — Cause Remains A Mystery After Deadly Blaze No Arson Found In House Fire That Killed 6 — Cause Remains A Mystery After Deadly Blaze
No Arson Found In House Fire That Killed 6 — Cause Remains A Mystery After Deadly Blaze Six people — including four children — were killed in a Sunday morning house fire in Waldorf, and Maryland officials say the cause remains under investigation. The Office of the State Fire Marshal announced Monday, Aug. 11, that investigators have found no evidence of arson but are still working to determine what started the multi-fatal blaze. Part of the investigation includes determining whether smoke alarms were activated during the fire, Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray said. “We must methodically examine every possible fire cause and contributing factor,” Mowbray said. “Dete…
Loud Boom, Then Flames: Solar Panels Blamed For Roof Fire In Virginia Home Loud Boom, Then Flames: Solar Panels Blamed For Roof Fire In Virginia Home
Loud Boom, Then Flames: Solar Panels Blamed For Roof Fire In Virginia Home A fire that erupted on the roof of a Virginia home was caused by a solar panel malfunction, officials said. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were called to the 2300 block of Colts Brook Drive around 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, where crews arrived to find flames showing from rooftop solar panels, the department said. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to the roof — no injuries were reported. According to the department, residents heard a loud noise inside before seeing smoke from the roof. Everyone evacuated safely. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue “Smoke alarms were present thr…
Maryland Firefighter Dies A Hero — Now His Family’s Mortgage Is Paid For Life Maryland Firefighter Dies A Hero — Now His Family’s Mortgage Is Paid For Life
Maryland Firefighter Dies A Hero — Now His Family’s Mortgage Is Paid For Life The family of fallen Baltimore firefighter Rodney Pitts III is receiving a powerful act of support following his line-of-duty death: their mortgage is being paid in full. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it has paid off the mortgage on the Baltimore home where Pitts lived with his fiancée, Natasha, and their three children: Harper, Arianna, and Hendrix. Pitts, 31, was killed in the line of duty while battling a rowhouse fire on Oct. 19, 2023, in Baltimore City.  He was one of two firefighters who lost their lives that day.  The original incident drew citywide mourning a…
‘Priceless’ Historic Farmhouse Built In 1792 Destroyed By Fire In DMV: Officials ‘Priceless’ Historic Farmhouse Built In 1792 Destroyed By Fire In DMV: Officials
‘Priceless’ Historic Farmhouse Built In 1792 Destroyed By Fire In DMV: Officials A 230-year-old piece of Montgomery County history was reduced to charred rubble after a massive fire tore through a landmark farmhouse in Sandy Spring, officials confirmed. The blaze broke out around 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Harewood Farm, located at the end of Meeting House Road.  The historic home, built in 1792, was unoccupied at the time of the fire, according to Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson Pete Piringer. Firefighters arrived to find flames tearing through all three floors of the structure.  Twitter/@mcfrsPIO Early reports indicated a poss…
Maryland Family Welcomes Baby, Then Loses Everything In Lightning-Fueled House Fire Maryland Family Welcomes Baby, Then Loses Everything In Lightning-Fueled House Fire
Maryland Family Welcomes Baby, Then Loses Everything In Lightning-Fueled House Fire One day after welcoming their newborn daughter into the world, a Maryland family lost everything in a freak lightning-sparked house fire — including their home, belongings, and beloved pet. The devastating blaze broke out shortly before 9:50 p.m. Friday, May 30, on Gunpowder Road in Hampstead, just as thunderstorms rolled through northern Baltimore County, according to the Hereford Volunteer Fire Company. Firefighters arrived to find flames tearing through a two-story home, with fire showing from the front and side of the structure. “(Crews) assumed first due engine responsibilities and es…
PA Fire Chief Dies During Wildland Fire Training PA Fire Chief Dies During Wildland Fire Training
PA Fire Chief Dies During Wildland Fire Training A longtime Dauphin County fire chief died while mentoring fellow wildland firefighters in Cumberland County, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced on Friday, May 30. David Warfel, the current chief of the Carsonville Volunteer Fire Company and a beloved figure in Upper Dauphin County’s firefighting community, collapsed Thursday, May 29 at the DCNR’s Wildland Fire Academy hosted at Shippensburg University. Warfel was instructing and mentoring wildland firefighters during the training session when he passed away, DCNR officials said. He also served as th…
Retired Firefighter Raped Junior Firefighter At Home, Station In The 90s, Police Say Retired Firefighter Raped Junior Firefighter At Home, Station In The 90s, Police Say
Retired Firefighter Raped Junior Firefighter At Home, Station In The 90s, Police Say A retired firefighter in Maryland has been charged with raping a teen junior firefighter at his home and inside a fire station in the 1990s, authorities announced on Tuesday. John Inman, 61, of Myrtle Beach, is facing second-degree rape and child abuse-custodian charges after turning himself in on Friday, May 17, according to the Prince George’s County Police Department. Detectives say the victim was between 13 and 17 years old when Inman, a paid firefighter at the time, sexually assaulted them several times from 1991 to 1996. The assaults happened at Inman’s home and at the Hyattsville Fi…
Firefighter On Life Support To Save Dozens Of Lives Through Organ Donation, Family Says Firefighter On Life Support To Save Dozens Of Lives Through Organ Donation, Family Says
Firefighter On Life Support To Save Dozens Of Lives Through Organ Donation, Family Says Baltimore is standing still as the community prepares to say goodbye to one of its own—a hero who never stopped putting others first. Fire Lt. Mark Dranbauer, a 23-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department, remains on life support after suffering a devastating medical emergency while working a fire scene earlier this week, officials announced. He fell down a ladder while battling a blaze on West Sarasota Street in downtown Baltimore on Monday, according to CBS. While his injuries are too severe to survive, Mark’s story isn’t over.  In true firefighter fashion, his family say…
Veteran Virginia Firefighter Dies Suddenly: ‘He Made Everyone Around Him Better’ Veteran Virginia Firefighter Dies Suddenly: ‘He Made Everyone Around Him Better’
Veteran Virginia Firefighter Dies Suddenly: ‘He Made Everyone Around Him Better’ Firefighter Lloyd Edwards always showed up. On the job. In the gym. For his crew. For his friends. For his family. Now, they’re all showing up for him. The Arlington County Fire Department is mourning the sudden loss of one of its own after the unexpected death of Edwards on Monday, May 5, leaving a deep void in the firehouse, and a community heartbroken. “Beloved by all, Firefighter Edwards was known for his kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service,” department officials said. “He will be profoundly missed.” We’re heartbroken by the loss of Firefighter Lloyd Edwa…
Bonfire Left Burning Sparked 15,000-Acre NJ Wildfire, 19-Year-Old Man Charged: Prosecutor Bonfire Left Burning Sparked 15,000-Acre NJ Wildfire, 19-Year-Old Man Charged: Prosecutor
Bonfire Left Burning Sparked 15,000-Acre NJ Wildfire, 19-Year-Old Man Charged: Prosecutor A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with setting the massive wildfire that scorched 15,000 acres and destroyed a commercial building this week, officials announced. Joseph Kling, of Ocean Township (Waretown), was charged with Aggravated Arson and Arson in connection with the Tuesday, April 22 blaze, according to a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, NJ DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, and Ocean Township Police Chief Michal Rogalski. The fire was first spotted at 9:45 a.m. by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower, which reported seeing smoke near Jones Roa…
NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service
NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service An otherwise idyllic spring day along the New Jersey coast was darkened by thick plumes of smoke as a massive wildfire scorched through 12,500 acres — threatening homes, destroying property, and leaving thousands without power Wednesday, April 23. 🚨 A massive wildfire, dubbed the Jones Road Wildfire, is tearing through 1,200 acres in Barnegat Township’s Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Ocean County, NJ, as of April 22, 2025, with 0% containment. Mandatory evacuations are underway for Wells Mills Road from Bryant… pic.twitter.com/61nPv8YRcH — Laszlo Varga (@LaszloRealtor) April 2…
Southwest Flight’s Engine Catches Fire In Midair Southwest Flight’s Engine Catches Fire In Midair
Southwest Flight’s Engine Catches Fire In Midair A Southwest Airlines flight was forced to return to a Texas airport shortly after takeoff when its engine caught fire, prompting an emergency evacuation. The Boeing 737, which was en route to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, had to turn back to Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport at approximately 11:45 a.m. local time Thursday, April 17, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said. Upon landing, firefighters swiftly extinguished the blaze, along with a small grass fire that had ignited near the runway, according to authorities. No injuries were reported among the 134 passengers on board.&nbs…
Firefighter In DMV Suspended Days After Hiring Over Delaware Hate Crime Arrest: Officials Firefighter In DMV Suspended Days After Hiring Over Delaware Hate Crime Arrest: Officials
Firefighter In DMV Suspended Days After Hiring Over Delaware Hate Crime Arrest: Officials A Maryland firefighter is off the job less than two weeks after joining the department—following his arrest in a Delaware hate crime case, officials confirmed. Jay Droney, 27, had been with the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department in Charles County for just eight days before he was suspended this week amid a disturbing out-of-state arrest. According to the Delaware State Police, Droney and fellow firefighter Jordan Hastings, 23, were charged in connection with a February 2024 incident at the Millville Volunteer Fire Company where they allegedly chased a Black co-worker with a rope shaped like…
Arsonist Sets PA Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence On Fire Arsonist Sets PA Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence On Fire
Arsonist Sets PA Governor Josh Shapiro’s Residence On Fire Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were forced to evacuate their residence as an arsonist set the governor’s residence ablaze while they slept overnight.  The blaze broke out at 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 13, in North Front Street in the city of Harrisburg in Dauphin County. Pennsylvania State Police said in a statement they has confirmed that the fire was a deliberate act of arson. The alleged arsonist has since been identified and arrested, click here to read our full report.  The Shapiro family was located in a different part of the mansion and was safely evacuated…
Barn Destroyed By $150K Loudoun County Blaze With No Hydrants In Sight: Fire Marshal Barn Destroyed By $150K Loudoun County Blaze With No Hydrants In Sight: Fire Marshal
Barn Destroyed By $150K Loudoun County Blaze With No Hydrants In Sight: Fire Marshal A Loudoun County barn burned to the ground after an electrical malfunction sparked a massive blaze that drew fire crews from multiple counties, officials said. Crews were called to the 20000 block of Airmont Road in Bluemont just after 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, where they found a 50-by-50-foot barn fully engulfed in flames, according to a Loudoun County Fire and Rescue spokesperson. With no hydrants in the area and a large column of smoke visible from a distance, crews from Round Hill, Purcellville, Philomont, Fauquier County, Clarke County, and Mount Weather rushed in, with the …
Firefighter Kaleb Barker Killed In Shooting As VA Family Seeks Support For Son’s Future Firefighter Kaleb Barker Killed In Shooting As VA Family Seeks Support For Son’s Future
Firefighter Kaleb Barker Killed In Shooting As VA Family Seeks Support For Son’s Future The family of Kaleb Barker, the Danville firefighter who tragically died in an accident, is seeking support to secure his young son's future. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched on behalf of Barker’s wife, Dr. Natalie Barker, by her colleagues at Chatham Animal Clinic in Virginia to help fund their son Noah’s education. As of Saturday, March 9, the fundraiser has raised over $16,000 toward its $50,000 goal. Barker, 31, was shot in the torso inside a home in the 900 block of Countryside Drive in Ringgold, Virginia on Tuesday, March 5, at 7:42 p.m., according to the Pittsylvania…
Firefighter Kaleb Barker Killed In Tragic Accident: Virginia Fire Community Mourns Firefighter Kaleb Barker Killed In Tragic Accident: Virginia Fire Community Mourns
Firefighter Kaleb Barker Killed In Tragic Accident: Virginia Fire Community Mourns A devastating accident claimed the life of Danville firefighter Kaleb Barker, officials announced on Wednesday, March 3. Barker, a dedicated member of the Danville Fire Department and the Danville Professional Firefighters Association, tragically died in the incident on Tuesday night, March 5. Details surrounding the accident have not yet been released. His loss has sent shockwaves through the firefighting community, with officials calling for prayers and support for his grieving family and colleagues. "May his life inspire your continued commitment to serving with honor and distinction," …
Wind-Driven Wildfire Scorches 20 Acres In Northern Maryland Before Being Contained (VIDEO) Wind-Driven Wildfire Scorches 20 Acres In Northern Maryland Before Being Contained (VIDEO)
Wind-Driven Wildfire Scorches 20 Acres In Northern Maryland Before Being Contained (Video) A fast-moving wildfire tore through nearly two dozen acres of mountainside near Burnside Bridge Road in Hagerstown, keeping more than 100 firefighters busy battling the blaze before it was finally contained, officials confirmed. The wind-driven fire broke out on Feb. 27, presenting major access challenges for crews, according to the Washington County Division of Emergency Services. The fire was first reported shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday, prompting an immediate response from firefighters. The Washington County Division of Emergency Services reports that a wildfire that burned appr…
Two Homes Destroyed In Late-Night Fires Minutes Apart In Spotsylvania Two Homes Destroyed In Late-Night Fires Minutes Apart In Spotsylvania
Two Homes Destroyed In Late-Night Fires Minutes Apart In Spotsylvania Two homes in Spotsylvania County went up in flames just minutes apart late Wednesday, Feb. 26, keeping firefighters racing across the county, officials said. Crews from Spotsylvania County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management responded to the first fire on Hummingbird Lane in the southern part of the county just before midnight.  Moments later, a second fire broke out on Foxhall Circle in the northern part of the county, officials said. Despite firefighters arriving at both scenes within seven minutes, the homes suffered significant damage, authorities said. Surrounding fire depart…
Two-Alarm Fire Tears Through Fairfax County Home Two-Alarm Fire Tears Through Fairfax County Home
Two-Alarm Fire Tears Through Fairfax County Home Fairfax County firefighters sprang into action early on Saturday morning after a raging two-alarm blaze tore through a home in the Crosspointe neighborhood, officials said. The fire broke out around 4:45 a.m. in the 9200 block of Cross Oaks Court on Feb. 22, where crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames engulfing a single-family home, according to Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. With all residents safely out of the home, firefighters launched an aggressive attack, officials said, though the intensity of the blaze forced them to switch to defensive operations, tackling the fire from out…
Three-Alarm Warehouse Fire Erupts In Virginia (DEVELOPING) Three-Alarm Warehouse Fire Erupts In Virginia (DEVELOPING)
Three-Alarm Warehouse Fire Erupts In Virginia (Developing) A massive three-alarm fire tore through a warehouse in Lorton, sending plumes of thick smoke into the air as dozens of firefighters battled to bring it under control, officials said. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were called to the 8100 block of Terminal Road before 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, after receiving reports of a large blaze at the commercial facility. Units arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the building.  Firefighters quickly worked to contain the flames, and after an intense effort, the fire was brought under control, officials said. No injuries were reported.…
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed
New LA Wildfires Update: Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed The number of confirmed deaths from six separate wildfires in the Los Angeles area has climbed to 16. The situation remains dire, with at least another 16 people still reported missing, and authorities anticipate that this number may increase as the search continues. The wildfires have destroyed 40,000 acres -- more than twice the size of Manhattan and almost the size of Washington, DC, while The creating apocalyptic scenes that seem straight from a horror movie. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed. A red flag warnings for dangerous fire conditions through Wednesday, Jan.…
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires 32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires
32-Year-Old Former Child Star Among Those Killed In LA Wildfires A former child star and motivational speaker is among the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, his family has confirmed. Click here for a new, updated story - Death Toll Hits 16, With 40,000 Acres, 12,000 Structures Destroyed Rory Sykes, 32, an Australian who gained media attention as a boy for sharing his experiences living with disabilities, died on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at his family’s estate in Malibu, his mother, Shelley Sykes, announced in a post on X. “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yeste…
Loudoun County Barn Blaze Rages Overnight, Threatens Nearby Woods: Fire Officials Loudoun County Barn Blaze Rages Overnight, Threatens Nearby Woods: Fire Officials
Loudoun County Barn Blaze Rages Overnight, Threatens Nearby Woods: Fire Officials Firefighters in Loudoun County had their hands full early Tuesday morning, battling a raging barn fire that spread to nearby woods in Leesburg. The blaze was reported just before 2 a.m. in the 43300 block of Spinks Ferry Road. Crews from Lucketts, Leesburg, Lovettsville, Lansdowne, Ashburn, and Frederick County, arrived to find a 40-by-40-foot pole barn fully engulfed in flames, Loudoun County Fire and Rescue officials said. Flames had already spread to an adjacent wooded area, forcing crews to launch an aggressive exterior attack on both the structure and the wildfire.  The bulk of t…
Spark From Welder, Grinder, Causes $1M In Damage At Academies Of Loudoun: Fire Marshal Spark From Welder, Grinder, Causes $1M In Damage At Academies Of Loudoun: Fire Marshal
Spark From Welder, Grinder, Causes $1M In Damage At Academies Of Loudoun: Fire Marshal Debris from a welder inside a classroom at the Academies of Loudoun magnet school in Leesburg on Tuesday afternoon is likely to blame for the $1 million fire that broke out, officials say. At around 1 p.m. on Sept. 17, the Loudoun County Emergency Communications Center received an emergency call from the alarm company reporting a pull-station activation at the school, an the SRO assigned to the school reported a heavy smoke area in the boiler room reported the situation a minute later. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue crews and several neighboring agencies responded to the scene, where they f…