Fire destroys old home

The Central Virginian
A Monday morning fire on Paynes Mill Road completely destroyed a 101-year-old house owned by Allen Jennings, former Jackson district representative to the Louisa County Board of Supervisors.

Raymond and Joan Jackson and their three children, who had been renting the house since November, escaped unharmed.

The Hook – HOTSEAT- Fired up: Chief Werner’s career of a lifetime

The Hook – HOTSEAT- Fired up: Chief Werner’s career of a lifetime
Charlottesville Fire Chief Charles Werner doesn’t flinch as two sirens zoom by his office on Ridge Street. “I hear a fire engine and then an ambulance,” he explains calmly, “so I guess it’s an EMS call.”

Werner says that when he first volunteered as a firefighter in Harrisonburg at age 14, “We didn’t do EMS calls.” Today, 50 percent of all calls that come into the fire station are for emergency medical services.

Werner became an emergency medical technician at 15– the youngest in the state, he says, adding, “Now they don’t let you be an EMT at 15.”

Fire displaces Dale City family

Fire displaces Dale City family | InsideNova.com
A child playing with matches started a fire that displaced a Dale City family Saturday evening, Prince William County Fire and Rescue officials said.

The child was playing in the master bedroom of a single-family home at 14305 Bremerton Drive when a fire started, Prince William County Fire and Rescue spokesman Randy Earl said.

The child apparently started a fire in the master bedroom and then “went downstairs and didn’t tell anyone,” Earl said.

A few minutes later the family smelled smoke.

Two houses burned, 40 people evacuated in Fan

Two houses burned, 40 people evacuated in Fan – News – inRich.com
Two houses were significantly damaged and about 40 people were evacuated from an adjacent apartment building in a three-alarm fire early this morning in Richmond’s Fan District.

There were no injuries, either to residents or firefighters.

The fire, reported at 3:25 a.m. in the 1400 block of Grove Avenue, near the intersection of Plum Street just west of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Monroe Park campus, was brought under control at 5:45 a.m.

Deadly House Fire in Richmond

CBS 6 – WTVR, Richmond Va – Deadly House Fire in Richmond
One woman is dead after a house fire in North Richmond. The fire broke out shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday night in the 2900 block of Noble Avenue. That’s near Richmond’s Battery Park neighborhood.

Fire investigators tell us a neighbor saw the fire and called for help. He then ran over to the house, kicked in the front door, and started yelling for the people inside. A 59 year old man was trapped on a second story balcony. Firefighters were able to rescue him once they got on scene. We do not have an update on his condition.

Firefighter back on the truck

The Mechanicsville Local – news
On Feb. 10 volunteer fireman Chris Carroll wound up a 24-hour shift at Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Station #7.
He drove to Newbridge Baptist Church, in Henrico County, to celebrate the baptism of his son. After that he went to his office at Commonwealth Controls Corporation, where he works as an automaton engineer.
So far, the Sunday had gone according to his plan.
Then his phone rang.
“You better get out here,” said Chris Gilnett, a fellow volunteer. “The county’s burning up.”
Carroll rushed to help, joining the 250 firefighters who worked to beat back the flames that were raging through Hanover.
From 8 a.m until 10 p.m., Hanover Fire and EMS were dispatched 222 times, to 106 different incidents.

Firefighter Saved By Coworkers

CBS 6 – WTVR, Richmond Va – Firefighter Saved By Coworkers
A Hanover County firefighter may be alive today thanks to the brave actions of his co-workers. More than a week ago, Chris Carroll was fighting brush fires sweeping across the area and while putting them out, he was overwhelmed by the smoke and could have died had not two of his co-workers stepped in. Three Hanover volunteer fire fighters were trapped in a blanket of smoke and quick moving flames 15 feet high were coming straight at them.

Hampton fire displaces 4

WAVY TV 10 – News, Weather, Traffic, Sports for Hampton Roads, Virginia – North Eastern North Carolina – Hampton fire displaces 4
HAMPTON, VA (WAVY.com) — Firefighters were called to a home in the 300 blk. of Manning Drive at around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.

Neighbors called to report the fire. Fire officials tell WAVY.com that no one was home at the time of the fire, except the family dog. The dog was able to escape the fire unharmed.

The house, on the other hand, has been condemned and the 4 residents of the home will be staying with family or friends.

Chief upbeat about department’s future

InsideNova.com | Chief upbeat about department’s future
Nearly 20 years after answering his first official call, the new chief of Culpeper Co. 1 Volunteer Fire Department is confident the department is prepared for the challenges ahead.

Company members elected Culpeper native Stacy Carpenter, 36, chief Jan. 10. He is the first new chief in seven years.

Fire Rages In Fairfax Strip Mall

COX.net for Northern Virginia – Local: Fire Rages In Fairfax Strip Mall
Fairfax, VA) — A three-alarm fire in a Fairfax City shopping plaza is now under control. Firefighters think that it started somewhere around the roof of a bowling alley a bit before 5 p.m. on the 96-hundred block of Main Street. No one was injured in the fire. Additional units responded above the three alarms, almost making it a four-alarm blaze. It’s too early to determine the cause of the fire. Also, damages haven’t been tallied up yet, as firefighters work to wrap things up at the scene.

Louisa still smoldering

thecentralvirginian_topnews.html
Louisa County officials are still unsure how many wildfires, they were fighting on Sunday, and how they all began.

According to David Stone, forester for the Virginia Department of Forestry and co-incident commander, all of the fires are contained and one is currently under investigation for arson.

The other blazes may have been attributed to downed power lines, trees on powerlines, an electric fence and debris left to burn over night.

Downed power lines cause fires

Downed power lines cause fires – SWVAToday.com
Howling winds knocked out electricity and caused several fires in Floyd County Sunday.
Part of an arctic system that spawned tornados through Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, western and middle Tennessee and Kentucky came through Southwest Virginia on Sunday. Floyd firefighters battled six fires, as dispatch calls kept coming.
“Sometimes even before we had a fire out, we’d get tones for another one,” said fire chief Kevin Sowers. “At one point there wasn’t a fire truck in the county that wasn’t in use.”

Rain, snow snuff out last of wildfires

The Progress-Index – Rain, snow snuff out last of wildfires
DNIWIDDIE — The fires that had ravaged the county since Sunday are finally out, fire officials said Thursday. The largest, in the area of Old Stage Road, roasted about 2,850 acres, the Virginia Department of Forestry estimated. Dinwiddie’s all-volunteer firefighters also started a well-deserved rest following a week battling the biggest fire in recent memory.

“It’s out,” said Ed Zimmer, regional forester for the Department of Forestry. “The rain and snow essentially put it out.”

Blood Drive for Injured VA Trooper

Blood Drive for Injured VA Trooper – News – TriCities.com
A special blood drive is scheduled this Saturday for a Virginia State Trooper injured in the line of duty.

Trooper Chris Chapman was hit by a drunk driver last week. The Division IV State Troopers are honoring their colleague this weekend.

Saturday the Marion Life Saving Crew on Park Street will host a Barb-B-Q. Food and drinks will be provided by Food City and Pepsi-Cola. Organizers are asking for a $6 donation per plate to help Chapman on his road to recovery.

City distributes free smoke detectors

Tidewater News, Franklin, VA: City distributes free smoke detectors
FRANKLIN—In the United States, more than 4,000 people die in fires each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

For those who think they can’t afford to protect their family by installing smoke alarms in their homes, think again.

It doesn’t get any cheaper than free, and members of the Franklin Fire Department will install them for free.

Deputy Chief Mark Carr applied for a grant through the Virginia Department of Health Smoke Alarm Installation and Fire (Safety) Education (SAIFE) program. Franklin was awarded 544 smoke alarms.

Carr said, “What we find a lot of times is that people may have alarms, but they are old. Sometimes they have been put in drawers in the house or they are inoperable.

Richmond to graduate emergency dispatchers

Richmond to graduate emergency dispatchers – News – inRich.com
Who do you call in an emergency?

It may be one of 17 people who will graduate today from Richmond’s training academy for emergency dispatchers.

Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell will speak at the ceremony at 1 p.m. today at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road.

The new dispatchers are two classes — the ninth and 10th to graduate from the city’s basic training academy.

Firefighters Keep Going on Little Sleep

Firefighters Keep Going on Little Sleep | WSLS 10
Flames don’t stop on their own, so firefighters keep going.

“Any sleep in that time? None.”, says Roanoke County firefighter John Hubbard.

Hubbard was here at 6 a.m. Monday, didn’t leave until Tuesday night at nine and was back at it again at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

“I would give anything to be on the side of the mountain digging in the cold and rain instead of sitting in here.”, says Hubbard.

He works on his laptop to keep his mind ready. John is the EMT on duty and can’t leave here unless he’s called.

Craig County fire update: Ice causing problems

Craig County fire update: Ice causing problems | WSLS 10
Icy conditions are causing problems for U.S. Forest Service crews and Craig County volunteer firefighters trying to contain the “Little Cuba” fire.

The Forest Service says firefighters did not go back to the fire line today, because of the slick and dangerous road conditions.

House fire in South Richmond

House fire in South Richmond | NBC12 | Virginia News
No word yet on what caused a fire in South Richmond Wednesday afternoon. It happened about 2:30 p.m. at the intersection of Chambers and Chesterman.

Although the house itself was heavily damaged, it wasn’t occupied at the time, so no one was injured.

Stolen Baltimore Ambulance Recovered in Stafford

Stolen Baltimore Ambulance Recovered in Stafford|ABC 7 News
Authorities say a stolen Baltimore Ambulance was recovered Wednesday afternoon in Stafford.

Spokesman Chief Kevin Cartwright says a Prince George’s County police officer last saw the ambulance on I-495 near Route 4 heading towards Virginia with its lights and sirens on.

ABC 7 News myTAKE – What’s Your Opinion?The ambulance was stolen from a University of Maryland Medical Center emergency bay Wednesday about 10:30 a.m.

A patient was taken inside and the ambulance was left unlocked. Cartwright said policy requires the ambulance to be secured but apparently it wasn’t this time.

Fatal Fire Ruled Accidental

NBC 29: Count on Us – Fatal Fire Ruled Accidental
A Nelson County fire that killed a mother and son last month has been ruled accidental. The fire happened just after 1 a.m. on January 30 at a home on Orchard Park Lane, across from Stage Bridge Road off Route 29.

Investigation begins in Accomack firemedic assault

The Daily Times – www.delmarvanow.com – Salisbury, Md.
ACCOMAC — The Accomack County Department of Public Safety is conducting an internal investigation into a Feb. 4 incident in which a career firemedic, or firefighter/emergency medical technician, was assaulted while answering a call for assistance.

Public Safety Director Jason Loftus said Monday the investigation will be complete by March 1 and will result in a document detailing lessons learned about how to better handle similar cases.

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The investigation was triggered after an incident last Monday afternoon in which a paid medic stationed at Oak Hall Rescue responded at about 5:30 p.m. to a call about a person with altered mental status at a residence at 3371 Hillcrest Drive in New Church.

Eight fire companies battle wildfires

Welcome to The Southside Sentinel | Urbanna, Va.
Fire scorched about 160 acres of woodland in lower Essex County on Sunday and Monday. Above, in the distance, is historic Macedonia Baptist Church that was spared the wrath of the wildfires.

Life Saving Crew offers rescue camp

Danville Register Bee | Life Saving Crew offers rescue camp
The Danville Life Saving Crew will offer a one day Rescue Camp Saturday, April 12 for children 7 to 13.

Activities begin at 8 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. Applications can be obtained at the Crew Hall on Christopher Lane across from George Washington High School.

Eight people escape early morning fire in Petersburg

The Progress-Index – Eight people escape early morning fire in Petersburg
PETERSBURG – An early morning fire at the intersection of Amelia and Patrick streets left a family of eight without a home Wednesday morning.

Fire investigators believe that the fire may have been caused by a short in the meter panel.
Petersburg Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Capt. Charles Vaughan said that the family escaped without injury because of two working smoke detectors in the home.

Virginia Beach man charged with setting cars ablaze

Virginia Beach man charged with setting cars ablaze | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
When firefighters were called to the scene of a vehicle fire in the Thalia area on Friday, they had been told a single pickup was ablaze. When they arrived, they found two more vehicles on fire as well.

On Wednesday, authorities said they have charged a man with deliberately torching all three vehicles.

The fires occurred in the 100 block of Wales Drive, said Battalion Chief Leon Dextradeur. The first vehicle that had been reported burning was a 1997 Ford pickup. Once on scene, crews found a 1993 Toyota Tercel and a 2003 Honda Accord also ablaze.

Blast rattles furniture factory

NewsAdvance.com | Blast rattles furniture factory
A powerful sawdust explosion shook a building and started a fire at a furniture facility off U.S. 29 Tuesday morning, but left minimal damage and no injuries.

The blast rocked the Charter Inc. plant at 9:33 a.m. from an “isolated” building where sawdust is stored for use as heating fuel, said Campbell County Fire Marshal Rodney Lawson.

Fire crews close to containing ‘Black Horse Fire’ in Bedford County

NewsAdvance.com | Fire crews close to containing ‘Black Horse Fire’ in Bedford County
With the “Black Horse Fire” about 90 percent contained, wet and icy conditions combined to remove firefighters from the scene in western Bedford County on Tuesday night.

Public Information Officer Betsy Haynes said the fire, had eaten up 1,459 acres near Montvale by Tuesday night, and likely will spread to about 1,800 acres by the time it is contained.

Most Virginia Fires Contained, Emergency Officials Report

Most Virginia Fires Contained, Emergency Officials Report|ABC 7 News
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ABC 7 News – Share This Article
Firefighters are still battling wildfires across Virginia with help from National Guard soldiers. A state official says most of the blazes have been contained. Virginia Department of Emergency Management spokesman Bob Spieldenner says “most fires are pretty well in hand,” thanks to firefighters and the end to the gusty winds that caused most of the fires over the weekend.

The state’s three largest blazes are still burning in Bedford, Roanoke, Dinwiddie and Louisa counties.

Fires continue to burn throughout the area

WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | Fires continue to burn throughout the area
About 100 Virginia National Guard troops are being called to help fight the fires. The soldiers went through some training Monday afternoon at Fort Pickett, and are now helping around the Commonwealth. About 60 soldiers will be coming into the Roanoke armory Tuesday morning. They will assist in both the Roanoke County and Montvale fires.