Fire House Digest

Category: In The News

  • High-Tech Rescue: Drone Locates Missing Elderly Man in Plainville in Record Time

    High-Tech Rescue: Drone Locates Missing Elderly Man in Plainville in Record Time

    Advanced Technology and Swift Coordination Lead to Successful Search Operation

    March 14, 2025 – Plainville, MA – A missing 86-year-old Massachusetts man was located in just 17 minutes Thursday night after emergency teams deployed drones to scan miles of wooded terrain.

    The man, who had last been seen around 7 p.m., was reported missing at approximately 8:20 p.m. Given his age, the dropping temperatures—hovering around 36 degrees—and the time he had been unaccounted for, authorities swiftly mobilized a search operation.

    Cutting-Edge Search Effort Yields Quick Results

    Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Plainville Police Department requested assistance from the Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council (METRO-LEC)—a regional mutual aid network consisting of 46 cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts. Within 40 minutes, METRO-LEC dispatched specialized teams, including a drone unit, K-9 team, tactical bicycle unit, investigative services, and a dedicated search-and-rescue team.

    Three drones were launched to conduct a grid search spanning over two miles of dense terrain near the power lines in Plainville. At precisely 9:47 p.m.—only 17 minutes after the drone deployment—the missing man was located in a wooded area.

    Emergency Response and Medical Evaluation

    Once the drones pinpointed his location, search-and-rescue personnel and paramedics from the Plainville Fire Department quickly reached the man and conducted a medical assessment. He was then transported to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where he was reported to be in stable condition.

    Authorities Praise Swift Response and Technology

    Chief James Floyd commended the collaboration and advanced resources that led to the rapid rescue.

    “Tonight’s successful rescue is a testament to the power of collaboration, advanced technology, and the unwavering dedication of our law enforcement and emergency response teams,” Floyd stated. “The ability to deploy specialized units so quickly made all the difference in reuniting this individual with his loved ones. We sincerely thank the public for their support and commend all personnel involved for a job well done.”

    The case highlights the growing role of drones and specialized emergency units in search-and-rescue missions, demonstrating how technology can be a lifesaving tool in critical situations.

  • Fatal fire in Philly takes lives of adult and child.

    Fatal fire in Philly takes lives of adult and child.

    A pre-dawn house fire in Philadelphia left a woman and child dead, and another youth in critical condition.

    Two children, six and eight, were located unresponsive in the basement by searching firefighters, who initiated CPR, 6abc reported. 

    The girl perished while the older chld is in critical condition. 

    There were no working smoke alarms.

  • Authorities Investigate House Explosion in Garden City

    Authorities Investigate House Explosion in Garden City

    No Injuries Reported as Firefighters Contain Blaze

    March 14, 2025 – Garden City, MI

    Authorities are investigating a house explosion that occurred Thursday evening in Garden City, sending thick black smoke into the air and prompting a swift response from emergency crews.

    Explosion Rocks Neighborhood

    At approximately 6:20 p.m., Garden City firefighters received reports of a possible house explosion in the 6500 block of Silvio Street. Upon arrival, crews found a single-story home engulfed in flames, with dark smoke pouring from the structure, according to Garden City Fire Chief Randy Keen.

    One neighbor informed authorities that a single occupant resided in the home, but after a thorough search, firefighters confirmed that no one was inside at the time of the explosion.

    Firefighters worked quickly to bring the fire under control, fully extinguishing the flames and several lingering hot spots by 7:20 p.m.

    Investigation Underway

    The cause of the explosion remains undetermined as authorities continue their investigation. DTE Energy crews responded to the scene and shut off the home’s gas service as a precaution. However, DTE spokesperson Chris Lamphear declined to speculate on whether a gas leak played a role in the incident, deferring to fire and police officials for further analysis.

    “At this time, we’re looking into the cause and origin of the fire because, obviously, homes just don’t explode on their own,” Chief Keen stated.

    No Injuries or Structural Damage to Nearby Homes

    Fortunately, no injuries were reported among residents or emergency personnel. Chief Keen also confirmed that the explosion did not cause damage to any neighboring homes.

    As officials work to determine what triggered the blast, residents in the area remain on alert while authorities urge anyone with relevant information to come forward.

  • Massive Five-Alarm Fire Destroys Bronx Businesses, Delayed Response Due to Illegally Parked Car

    Massive Five-Alarm Fire Destroys Bronx Businesses, Delayed Response Due to Illegally Parked Car

    March 13, 2025

    Blaze Breaks Out in Morris Heights, Leaving Businesses in Ruins

    A devastating fire engulfed multiple businesses in the Morris Heights neighborhood of the Bronx on Thursday morning, reducing six establishments to rubble. The five-alarm blaze erupted around 8:20 a.m. at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and West Burnside Avenue, sending thick smoke billowing into the sky and forcing a large emergency response from the FDNY.

    While no injuries were reported, the inferno left a trail of destruction, devastating local businesses that had served the community for years.

    Illegally Parked Car Delays Firefighters

    As firefighters rushed to battle the raging flames, their response was significantly delayed due to an illegally parked vehicle blocking a fire hydrant. Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry emphasized the impact of the obstruction, stating that it hampered efforts to connect hoses and access water immediately.

    “There was a vehicle blocking a fire hydrant, slowing down the fire apparatus’ ability to connect to the hydrant,” Daughtry said. “We’re asking all New Yorkers to please be mindful. Have a little compassion when parking by fire hydrants.”

    Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker confirmed that the driver received a misdemeanor summons for the violation. Tucker also referenced a similar incident in February, where an illegally parked car outside a Bronx Buddhist temple obstructed firefighters responding to a deadly blaze, resulting in two fatalities. In that case, the driver, Quinaysa Arnold, was ultimately fined $4,000.

    “We are talking about parking by fire hydrants way too much these days,” Tucker stated. “If you think parking by a fire hydrant is a convenience, it’s not. It’s a recipe for death. We’ve already seen that twice now.”

    Businesses Destroyed, Owners Devastated

    The fire started inside a restaurant along Jerome Avenue and quickly spread to neighboring businesses, including a deli, a pharmacy, an optical store, and a clothing shop. The tightly packed buildings, combined with aging infrastructure, allowed the fire to move rapidly through the cockloft, the space between the roof and ceiling.

    FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito explained the challenges firefighters faced in containing the flames.

    “The fire had significant headway on us,” Esposito said. “Most of the fire was in the cockloft space. These are very old buildings that have been renovated numerous times, so there are several ceiling levels that are 3 to 4 feet deep. It’s very time-consuming to open that up and put water in there to extinguish the fire.”

    At one point, the fire became so intense that firefighters were forced to evacuate the buildings and battle the blaze from the outside. More than 200 firefighters and emergency personnel worked for hours to bring the situation under control, but not before at least one ceiling collapsed due to the intense heat.

    For local business owners, the devastation is overwhelming. Jessica Betancourt, who owned an optical center destroyed in the fire, said she is determined to rebuild but is heartbroken over the loss.

    “I’ve been here for years, serving this community, and now everything is gone,” Betancourt said. “We just have to find a way to start over.”

    Another affected business, Finest Deli, had been operating for seven years before being completely destroyed

  • Watch & Read: Connecticut Man’s Desperate Bid for Freedom Unveils Two Decades of Captivity

    Watch & Read: Connecticut Man’s Desperate Bid for Freedom Unveils Two Decades of Captivity

    March 13, 2025

    Incident Overview

    On February 17, 2025, a 32-year-old man set fire to his residence in Waterbury, Connecticut, in a desperate attempt to escape what he described as over two decades of captivity. Firefighters responding to the blaze rescued the severely emaciated individual, who revealed he had been confined since the age of 11. 

    cnn.com

    Discovery and Rescue

    Upon arrival, emergency responders found the man in a “severely emaciated condition,” with matted hair and apparent dental neglect. He informed firefighters that he had intentionally started the fire, stating, “I wanted my freedom.” 

    fox61.com

    Allegations of Prolonged Abuse

    The victim alleged that his stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, had held him captive for over 20 years. He described being confined to a small, unheated storage space measuring approximately eight by nine feet, with limited access to food and water. He recounted resorting to drinking from the toilet due to severe dehydration and receiving minimal nourishment. 

    fox61.com

    Legal Actions and Charges

    Following an investigation, Sullivan was arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to a person, first-degree unlawful restraint, and first-degree reckless endangerment. She was arraigned on March 12, 2025, with bond set at $300,000. 

    timesunion.com

    Victim’s Condition and Statements

    The victim, weighing only 68 pounds at the time of rescue, disclosed that he had not received medical or dental care during his captivity. He stated that his confinement worsened following his father’s death, leading him to take drastic measures to gain freedom. 

    fox61.com

    Community and Official Responses

    Neighbors expressed shock upon learning of the prolonged abuse. Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo described the case as “heartbreaking and unimaginable,” commending the dedication of officers and the State’s Attorney’s Office in ensuring justice. 

    fox61.com

    Ongoing Investigation

    Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the victim’s prolonged captivity, seeking to understand how such severe abuse remained undetected for over two decades. 

    apnews.com

    This case has raised significant concerns about community awareness and the effectiveness of social safety nets in preventing prolonged abuse.

  • Small Plane Crashes, Misses Retirement Home in Manheim Township, PA 

    Small Plane Crashes, Misses Retirement Home in Manheim Township, PA 

    Five people aboard the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza were transported to a hospital for injuries.

    Credit: Paul Vigna. pennlive.com

    A single-engine airplane with five people on board crashed Sunday afternoon in a parking lot of a retirement community near a small airport in suburban Pennsylvania, officials said.

    A press conference started at 6:15 to provide more information on the crash.

    The crash happened around 3:30 p.m. just south of Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township, according to police. All aboard the plane were taken to the hospital, officials said at a 6:15 press conference.

    Photos and a video from a scene showed a plane in flames in the parking lot at Brethren Village Retirement Community in Manheim Township.

    That’s located less than a mile south of Lancaster Airport, across from Airport Road.

    The aircraft was a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza, the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN.

    It departed from Lancaster Airport, just north of the crash site, at 3:26 p.m. ET and was headed toward Springfield, Ohio, according to FlightAware.

    One witness said the plane crashed shortly after takeoff.

    “It was pretty high, but then it started veering left, and suddenly it nose-dived sideways while continuing to turn left,” Brian Pipkin told CNN.

    Pennsylvania State Police are “on the ground assisting local first responders,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a post on X, adding that “all Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues.”

    According to news reports and residents posting on Facebook, multiple ambulances converged on the crash scene.

    Still, considering the proximity of the crash to the retirement community and the parking lot, it could have been worse.

    Said Manheim Township Police Chief Duane Fisher at the conclusion of the press conference, “It’s a great day when you have a plane crash and everyone survives, and no one on the ground is hurt.”

  • Johnson County, MO, Fire Captain Dies Fighting Field Blaze 

    Johnson County, MO, Fire Captain Dies Fighting Field Blaze 

    The death of Capt. Vernon Collett, 60, is the first in Johnson County Fire Protection District. 

    By Ilana Arougheti  Source The Kansas City Star (TNS)

    A Johnson County, Missouri, fire department captain died Saturday after he collapsed while fighting a field fire , according to the Johnson County Fire Protection District.

    District Captain Vernon Collett, 60, was part of the Johnson County Fire Protection District team responding to a fast-moving field fire in the 60 Block of NE MM Highway in rural Johnson County around 1:45 Saturday, according to Captain Joe Jennings, a District spokesperson.

    The fire covered about half an acre of land when Collett and his team arrived, according to Jennings. Collett was actively extinguishing one of the lines of fire when he collapsed.

    Other firefighters on scene tried to revive Collett with CPR and a defibrillator until a Johnson County ambulance arrived, according to Jennings. Collett was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Collett joined the Johnson County Fire Protection District in 1996, spending his entire career at Station 6 in Warrensburg. Collett was promoted to captain in 2011.

    His death is the first time a firefighter with the District has died while responding to a fire, Jennings said.

    “His passing marks an immeasurable loss for our department, his family, and the entire community he so selflessly served,” District chief Larry Jennings said in a statement Sunday. “Today is a tragic day for our District and a somber reminder of the risks our firefighters face daily.”

    The District is currently working with Collett’s family to organize funeral arrangements, Joe Jennings said. Donations supporting the family and funeral can be received at district headquarters at 122 W Young Avenue in Warrensburg.

  • One Dead, Four Hurt in Portland, ME, Fire 

    One Dead, Four Hurt in Portland, ME, Fire 

    Firefighters were forced to evacuate due to failing structural integrity, Portland fire officials said.

    Credit: Gillian Graham Portland Press Herald, Maine

    Mar. 6—One person died and four others were injured in a fire in Portland early Thursday morning.

    Five adults who lived in the house at 11 Olympia St. were all inside when the fire was reported at 1:14 a.m. Four people were taken to Maine Medical Center, including one person who is in serious condition, according to fire Chief Chad Johnston.

    The name of the person who died has not been released by fire officials.

    The outside of the one-and-a-half-story, single family home appeared charred Thursday morning, with blown-out windows and damage to the roof and siding.

    Responding crews were forced to evacuate the building due to intense fire conditions and failing structural integrity, said department spokesperson Sean Donaghue. Two firefighters were also injured in the fire but were not taken to the hospital, Donaghue said.

    The fire was brought under control around 4:15 a.m. Nearby Veranda Street was closed for several hours overnight but reopened before the morning commute. Olympia Street remains closed, according to the fire department.

    A team of investigators from the state fire marshal’s office are expected to be on scene throughout the day investigating the circumstances of the fire, said Shannon Moss, spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

  • Fifty Firefighters Battle Blaze in Four Stamford, CT, Businesses 

    Fifty Firefighters Battle Blaze in Four Stamford, CT, Businesses 

    A four-alarm fire in Stamford is believed to have started in a restaurant and spread to other businesses during a two-hour fire fight.

    Credit: Peter Yankowski, Kalleen Rose Ozanic, Tyler Fedor, Liz Hardaway The Hour, Norwalk, Conn.

    Mar. 7—STAMFORD — A “devastating” four-alarm fire tore through a stretch of four businesses on the northern end of the Bedford Street block between Broad and Spring streets early Friday, according to Mayor Caroline Simmons.

    At about 4:46 a.m. the Stamford Fire Department was dispatched to Bedford Street for an activated fire alarm. At the scene, firefighters saw smoke coming from the first floor of Chez Vous Bistro, a French restaurant on that corner, said Deputy Fire Chief Paul Newman.

    The Fire Department sent 52 personnel, eight engines, three trucks, one heavy rescue vehicle and two command vehicles to battle the blaze, according to Assistant Chief Mike Robles.

    Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. They were treated and released from a medical evaluation, Newman said.

    About five hours after the fire, dozens of police officers and firefighters milled about the corner of Bedford and Spring streets, which was cordoned off with a wide police line that spanned multiple storefronts and around the intersection’s west corner.

    Many of the windows at the now-blackened Chez Vous Bistro were charred and burnt out from the structure fire, the department reported on social media. Venetian blinds hung lopsided, tattered and melted in the window frames, their glass littering the ground below, as Stamford Downtown Ambassadors, decked in orange high-visibility jackets, picked up the pieces and swept the thousands of shards that covered the sidewalk.

    Broken glass littered the ground in front of Atelier Valoar Couture, a bespoke dressmaking, alteration and tailoring business; its storefront display, filled Thursday with gossamer gowns and accessories, was in disarray Friday morning. Its interior, charred and coated in soot, was visible from the across the street.

    Those two businesses, as well as the Women’s Business Development Council and Shiro, a pastry and dessert shop, were affected by the fire, Simmons said.

    Newman said a large amount of fire was found in the walls and ceiling of the restaurant, eventually extending to the second floor, roof and other businesses on the first floor. The fire was declared under control at 6:51 a.m.

    “This is probably one of the worst, most devastating fires we’ve had in downtown Stamford affecting multiple businesses in recent years,” Simmons said in front of Hop and Vine, a nearby bar and restaurant out of which emergency services operated Friday morning. “It’s heartbreaking for these small-business owners that they woke up and everything was damaged in their small business, so we are heartbroken for them and here to provide any support we can from the city side.”

    There were no injuries reported among civilians, Simmons said.

    Police closed off several streets in the downtown area to traffic as firefighters battled the blaze in the 180 block of Bedford Street, Stamford Deputy Fire Chief Matt Palmer said.

    By 11 a.m., the scene was still closed off as dozens of first responders and emergency services filled the area. Crews were also called in for mutual aid from Greenwich and Norwalk, Palmer said.

    Several roads were closed in the area, the Stamford Police Department social media post said. Those included Bedford Street at Broad and Spring streets, Summer Street at Spring Street and Forest Street at Greyrock Place.

    The road closures were to remain in place likely until noon, the post said, adding that CT Transit bus service, as well as the First Student Bus Co., had been notified.

    The Stamford Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

    This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

  • FEMA cancels classes at national fire training academy amid federal funding cuts.

    FEMA cancels classes at national fire training academy amid federal funding cuts.

    CHICAGO (AP) — The country’s preeminent federal fire training academy canceled classes, effective immediately, on Saturday amid the ongoing flurry of funding freezesand staffing cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that National Fire Academy courses were canceled amid a “process of evaluating agency programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities,” according to a notice sent to instructors, students and fire departments. Instructors were told to cancel all future travel until further notice.

    Firefighters, EMS providers and other first responders from across the country travel to the NFA’s Maryland campus for the federally funded institution’s free training programs.

    “The NFA is a powerhouse for the fire service,” said Marc Bashoor, a former Maryland fire chief and West Virginia emergency services director with 44 years of fire safety experience. “It’s not a ‘nice to have.’ It is the one avenue we have to bring people from all over the country to learn from and with each other. If we want to continue to have one of the premier fire services in the world, we need to have the National Fire Academy.”

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    The academy, which also houses the National Fallen Firefighter’s Memorial, opened in 1973 to combat a growing number of fatal fires nationwide. At the time, the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control envisioned it to be the “West Point of the Fire Service,” according to a report form the organization.

    Bashoor said the NFA was set to welcome a new set of fire safety officers for training next week.

    “People had made their plane and travel reservations. And all of a sudden, they get an email that ‘Sorry, it’s been canceled,’” he said. “It’s really upsetting.”

    For firefighters, including those on the frontlines of deadly fires that ravaged California this year, having an essential training institution “shut down under the presumption that there’s waste, fraud and abuse” has been demoralizing, Bashoor said. He said losing NFA training could make the coordinated response that prevented additional deaths and destruction in California more difficult.

    FEMA and the National Fire Academy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    While surveying disaster zones in California in January, Trump said he was considering “getting rid of” FEMA altogether, previewing sweeping changes to the nation’s central organization of responding to disasters.

    Firings at the U.S. Forest Service on the heels of the deadly California blazes also sparked outcry among discharged workers and officials who said it would mean fewer people and less resources will be available to help prevent and fight wildfires.