By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• Newly released video and investigative records highlight delays and possible missed rescue actions in a Shreveport, Louisiana, house fire that killed four people.
• The April 6, 2025, fire on Kemp Lane claimed the lives of an 84-year-old woman, her adult granddaughter and two young granddaughters.
• Fire department records show initial crews knocked down visible flames but did not immediately enter for search and rescue.
• Additional units found four unresponsive victims inside about 12 minutes after the first engine company arrived.
• Families have filed wrongful death lawsuits alleging response and communication issues contributed to the fatalities.

SHREVEPORT, LA — Video and investigative records released amid ongoing wrongful death litigation show potential response delays and search challenges by firefighters at a deadly house fire in April 2025 that killed four family members, according to local reports.

The blaze on Kemp Lane was reported about 6:41 a.m. on April 6, and Engine 6 of the Shreveport Fire Department arrived just over two minutes later to find flames showing on the front of the home, records indicate.

Video from the scene shows firefighters quickly deploying a hose line, but investigators noted the crew did not immediately make a rescue entry despite flames and reports of occupants inside, according to obtained interviews.

Additional units from another station entered the structure at about 6:55 a.m. and located four unresponsive victims near the front entrance, some 12 minutes after the initial crew’s arrival. The victims were removed and transported to medical personnel, but all later died from their injuries.

Family members of the victims have filed two wrongful death lawsuits against the City of Shreveport, the former fire captain and the fire department, alleging that delays in search efforts and communication breakdowns contributed to the fatalities.

Investigators have reviewed bodycam video, internal interviews and other records; officials have not publicly released final findings or determined whether procedural changes will follow.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A survey of Connecticut fire departments found strong support for increasing staffing levels to address operational needs.
• The survey was conducted in late 2025 by the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association and two academic partners.
• Respondents cited call volume, response times and safety as reasons for staffing increases.
• A majority of participating departments reported difficulty filling and retaining positions.
• The findings are intended to inform ongoing workforce discussions in the state.

HARTFORD, CT — A survey of fire departments in Connecticut found broad support among respondents for increasing staffing levels to meet call volume, improve response times and enhance crew safety, according to results released this month.

The survey was conducted in late 2025 by the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association in partnership with researchers from the University of Hartford and Central Connecticut State University, and included responses from departments of various sizes across the state.

Respondents identified factors such as rising emergency call volume, concerns about timely responses and the physical and mental strain on personnel as key drivers for advocating increased staffing, according to the published findings.

A majority of surveyed departments also reported challenges with recruiting and retaining qualified firefighters, underscoring workforce pressures felt across the state’s fire service.

The survey findings are expected to inform ongoing discussions among fire service leaders, municipal officials and state policymakers on workforce strategies and resource planning.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing
• A caller reported a fire was out at a Raleigh, N.C., home, but firefighters found active flames on arrival March 20.
• Engine 3 from the Raleigh Fire Department responded to the 700 block of Sherrybrook Drive.
• Upon arrival, crews upgraded the call to a working fire after flames were observed.
• Firefighters subsequently knocked down the blaze at the residence.
• No additional details on injuries or cause have been released.

RALEIGH, NC — Fire crews from the Raleigh Fire Department found flames showing at a home March 20 despite a caller reporting that the fire had already been put out, officials said.

Engine 3 was dispatched to the 700 block of Sherrybrook Drive based on the initial report that the fire was out and additional units were not needed, according to the department.

Upon arrival, firefighters observed fire showing and upgraded the incident to a working fire, prompting an expanded response.

Crews worked to knock down the blaze at the residence.

Officials did not immediately release information on any injuries or the cause of the fire.

Investigators remain on scene or are conducting follow-up examinations, with further details pending release by the department.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• The National Transportation Safety Board found that a runway warning system did not alert air traffic controllers before a fatal collision at LaGuardia Airport because the responding ARFF fire truck lacked a transponder.
• An Air Canada regional jet struck the fire truck as it crossed an active runway while landing late March 22, killing both pilots and injuring others.
• Investigators said they have not yet interviewed the firefighters involved or determined whether they attempted to brake or avoid the collision.
• The NTSB noted that the system’s effectiveness depends on vehicle transponders and encouraged their use to improve runway safety.
• Federal investigators continue reviewing controller actions and flight recorder data as part of the ongoing probe.

QUEENS, NY — Federal investigators have determined that a runway warning system failed to provide an alert before an Air Canada regional jet collided with an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle at LaGuardia Airport because the responding fire truck did not have a transponder, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

The collision occurred late March 22 as the Bombardier CRJ-900 was landing and struck the ARFF vehicle crossing an active runway, killing the pilot and co-pilot and injuring several others, NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said during a briefing.

Investigators said the runway warning system did not activate as intended before the impact, noting the absence of a transponder on the fire truck meant the vehicle was not detected by the system that relies on transponder signals to track surface movements.

Homendy said NTSB officials have not yet interviewed the firefighters involved or determined whether they attempted to brake or turn to avoid the collision and that flight data recorder information remains under review as part of the ongoing investigation.

The board also said that although it has not formally recommended mandatory transponders on all airport vehicles, they should be equipped to improve situational awareness for controllers and reduce the risk of runway conflicts.

By MES Dispatch staff

The Briefing

• Six people were hospitalized after a floor collapsed at a wedding venue in Tamworth, New Hampshire, Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
• The incident occurred at The Preserve at Chocorua’s Sap House during a wedding ceremony with about 144 people present.
• The collapse sent an estimated 70 people about eight feet into the basement.
• Injuries were reported as non-life-threatening; others were treated at the scene and released.
• The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office and local departments are investigating the structural collapse.

TAMWORTH, NH — Six people were taken to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries after a floor collapsed at a wedding venue Saturday afternoon, fire and safety officials said.

The collapse occurred around 4:30 p.m. at The Preserve at Chocorua’s Sap House building during a wedding ceremony, when an estimated 144 guests were inside, the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office reported.

Fire Marshal Sean Toomey said the wooden floor gave way, sending approximately 70 people about eight feet into the basement area of the structure.

Emergency responders treated multiple injured guests at the scene, and six adults were transported to hospitals; others were evaluated and released, officials said.

The state fire marshal’s office and local fire departments are investigating the cause of the collapse, which remained under review as of Monday.