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Latest on DC firefighters

Afternoon update: Sgt. Michael LaCore's mother Madeline tells me that her son was able to write a note to his wife today. Sgt. LaCore is going through surgery on his back this afternoon. Madeline LaCore said that the doctors are hoping, if all goes well, the breathing tube could come out as early as tomorrow.

On 9NEWS NOW at 7:00 p.m. I will have an interview with Joe Morgan, who was critically burned in the May 30th, 1999 fire on Cherry Road.

Click here for the morning update on the four DC firefighters burned on Monday. We also have links to raw video, some fireground audio recordings, and new stories.

Around the web

Firegeezer is on a a stolen ambulance involved in a police chase, an explosion in Paris and an exploding pumpkin (plus a Porter Wagoner video).

WithTheCommand.com has lots of good stuff, including a follow-up to the Des Moines fire (see video below).

VAFireNews.com has a Goochland fire engine crash and a Chesterfield wire fire.

Firefighter Hourly has Scranton union issues and more.

Grant at SConFire.com has been kept busy by a lot of fire truck wrecks.

Firefighter Spot has some new and some old videos.

Firehouse.com has more on the FDNY firehouse arson and the air heroics during the rescue in CA.

Mississippi burning

An industrial fire in Masonite plant on Monday in Laurel, Mississippi.




911 calls from NC

In case you missed it, above are the 911 calls from the house fire that killed 7 college students on Sunday in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

Lots of fire

Above is an apartment fire in Lawrence, KS from 2005.

Fire in the Poconos

The Above video was recently posted from a July fire in Mount Bethel, PA. Details, here.

What goes up

Not sure how old or where the video above is from. It was posted on LiveLeak on Monday.

What goes up #2

Clearly these ladder problems are not exclusive to the fire department.

Threading the needle

Raise your hand if you have ever seen someone drive a fire truck in much the same manner as seen in the video above.

Watch raw video of Tuesday morning's briefing about the fire and the injured firefighters

Listen to recordings of fireground communications (this is only limited audio released by DCFEMS)

Watch my Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. report

Watch Tuesday, 11:00 p.m. with former firefighter, Dino Mahaffey and wife Dania on WHC Burn Unit

Watch raw video from DC Fire & EMS photographer Vito Maggiolo (this version has better audio)

Sgt. Michael LaCore opened his eyes and squeezed his mother's hand Tuesday after the first of what are what expected to be many surgeries at the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit. Sgt. LaCore is the most seriously injured of four firefighters burned at Monday's row house fire in the 600 Block of 4th Street, NE. LaCore has 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 40 percent of his body. In a press release, Wednesday morning, DC Fire & EMS reports that, so far, test results indicate no respiratory burns.

Firefighter Charles Shyab is now in fair condition in the burn step down unit. The morning report is that he continues to improve. Firefighters Dennis Donnelly and Kenneth Humphries have been released from the hospital.

DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin has appointed 11 members of the department to investigate how the firefighters were burned. Part of the team went through the two burned homes Tuesday afternoon and interviewed some of the first firefighters who responded to the call.

The firefighters from Engine 4 were on the second floor of 619 4th Street. In the video shot by DC Fire & EMS photographer Vito Maggiolo, you can see water from the crew's hose line darkening the fire. A short time later, the fire grows very rapidly on the first floor and extends to the second floor, apparently briefly trapping the firefighters.

According to fire officials, what you can't see on that video is the fire going up the stairwell. The firefighters had to go through that fire to get to safety.

DC firefighters are keeping an around the clock vigil at the hospital. A command post has been set up at the hospital to coordinate the efforts. Sources tell 9NEWS NOW the person running that command post on the midnight shift has been DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin.

Personal note: Sgt. Michael Lacore's mother, Madeline, has been a long-time producer at Channel 9 who has looked out for all of us through the years. I joined her at the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit Monday afternoon to offer any help the station could provide. As I fully expected, there was nothing for me to do. The staff at the burn unit, the large contingent from DC Fire & EMS, the leadership of IAFF Local 36 and the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation, all were doing a remarkable job. While, as I am sure you will understand, I can't report on anything I witnessed or heard there, I don't think I will get in trouble for noting the wonderful support system that is in place for each of the families. Our thoughts are with all of them.

Watch raw video of fire from Vito Maggiolo, DC Fire & EMS photographer

Watch the entire 10:30 p.m. DC Fire & EMS press conference

Watch 9NEWS NOW report at 11:00 p.m.

Watch 9NEWS NOW report at 7:00 p.m.

Update 11:00 a.m. Sgt. Michael Lacore remains in critical condition. He is out of surgery that occurred this morning and is still sedated. Firefighter Charlie Shyab has been upgraded to good condition. He has been transferred to the burn stepdown unit. Firefighters Kenneth Humphries and Douglas Donnelly are still listed in good condition and continue to improve.

At the press conference, Chief Rubin confirmed that linseed oil-soaked rags left next to a fence ignited through spontaneous combustion. The fire spread from there to the rear porch at 621 4th Street, NE where two, 20-pound propane tanks became involved in the fire. The fire then spread to 619.

The crew from Engine 4 was on the second floor of 619 (exposure D). In the video shot from side C you can see the crew's line in operation. Shortly after that the fire on the first floor takes off. By all accounts it was at about that time the "mayday" was called.

Update 8:00 a.m. In a press release, DC Fire & EMS reports the conditions of the 4 firefighters are basically the same. An 11:00 a.m. press conference is scheduled at the scene of the fire:

Sgt. Michael LaCore (age 37) – Remains in critical condition with further evaluation and surgery expected today.

Firefighter Charlie Shyab (age 30) – Remains in critical but stable condition with burn treatments expected today.

Firefighters Kenneth Humphries (age 23) and Douglas Donnelly (age 27) were listed in good condition and are expected to be discharged today.

From earlier:

"It's a very sad day, two tremendous firefighters are in tough shape". The words of DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin at a Monday evening press conference in front of Engine 4 on Sherman Avenue, NW. It was the crew from Engine 4 that was burned during the afternoon fire at 621 4th Street, NE.

Sgt. Michael Lacore is the most seriously injured. Sgt. Lacore is in critical condition and in a medically induced coma after suffering 2nd and 3rd degree burns over more than 30 percent of his body. Chief Rubin said it is still unclear whether Sgt. Lacore has any respiratory burns. Firefighter Charlie Shyab is in critical, but stable condition. Both men are being treated at the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit.

Firefighters Dennis Donnelly and Kenneth Humphries were being held overnight for observation at MEDSTAR and are expected to be released in the morning.

Chief Rubin said the fire started in the rear of a 3-story row house and was fueled by two, 20-gallon propane tanks. According to Rubin there was a BLEVE in one of the tanks and fire from the relief valve of the second tank.

The crew from Engine 4 was covering an exposure in an adjacent row house when they were apparently met by a large amount of fire. According to Chief Rubin, "It appears as though the fire came from the first floor traveled up to the staircase of the building that they were in, and caught them off guard".

A "mayday" was called and the firefighters were out of the building a short time later. A second alarm was requested shortly after the "mayday" was received.

Earlier in the day, Chief Rubin said the fire burned the outer jacket of the hose line being used by the crew.

While DC engine companies normally operate with 4 firefighters, Engine 4 had an extra firefighter on the rig on Monday.

On October 21st, DC Fire & EMS began dispatching two battalion chiefs on all box-alarm assignments. It is part of a 90-day evaluation to see if it will help improve safety on the fireground.

Chief Rubin said the department will thoroughly investigate this fire to see if they need to "change our policy, training or procedures to make sure that this doesn't happen in the future".

Fire officials say the preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental. The house where the fire started was under renovation and investigators are looking at the possibility that the fire began in oily rags stored in the rear porch area. Chief Rubin said the investigation will look at the permit process.

A major setback for a new equipment order in Montgomery County, MD. According to a memo obtained by STATter 911, from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services (MCFRS) Chief Tom Carr, an order for 3 dozen new pumpers has been terminated.

Chief Carr wrote in his memo,"... due to unresolved business issues within Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc., I have requested the termination of the MCFRS pumper contract." Elite Fire Apparatus is in Tilleda, Wisconsin. In a January 6, 2007 press release, that can still be accessed through Elite's website, Montgomery County announced the awarding of the contract.

Contacted Monday night, department spokesman Pete Piringer confirmed the order has been cancelled and said Chief Carr's memo speaks for itself.

There have long been questions about financial issues involving Elite. When asked earlier this year about those issues, Montgomery County officials said they were confident the problems had been resolved.

Chief Carr also wrote the county had just accepted the Elite prototype pumper. That pumper was on display in July at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore (seen above).

In explaining the decision Chief Carr wrote:

The decision to terminate the contract was made only after careful consideration of all potential options. Although difficult, this decision was necessary to ensure all of you will have pumpers in a timely manner that meets the performance goals I have established for the organization. These goals include a cab/chassis with latest generation safety features, state of the art full-featured pump with compressed air foam system (CAFS) and a hose body configuration that allows all companies to operate from a single platform, including supply and attack line configurations.

Citing "the fragile condition of the current fleet of pumpers", Chief Carr wrote that the county will continue the contract for the remaining 36 cab and chassis units from Spartan Gladiator. At the same time, they will solicit new bids for "the manufacture and assembly of the pump module, hose-body and accessory components with the agreed upon changes developed from the prototype unit."

STATter 911 is attempting to contact Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc.

Below is the memo from Chief Tom Carr

TO: All MCFRS Personnel

FROM: Fire Chief Tom Carr

SUBJECT: Elite Fire Apparatus

This week Montgomery County formally accepted the Elite prototype pumper. The delivered unit was found to be a well-constructed, high quality vehicle that was manufactured to MCFRS specifications. However, due to unresolved business issues within Elite Fire Apparatus, Inc., I have requested the termination of the MCFRS pumper contract. Responding to my request, the County has terminated the contract for the manufacture of the remaining 36 fire department pumpers. The decision to terminate the contract was made only after careful consideration of all potential options. Although difficult, this decision was necessary to ensure all of you will have pumpers in a timely manner that meets the performance goals I have established for the organization. These goals include a cab/chassis with latest generation safety features, state of the art full-featured pump with compressed air foam system (CAFS) and a hose body configuration that allows all companies to operate from a single platform, including supply and attack line configurations.

To this end, the County will continue the contract for the very successful manufacture and delivery of the remaining 36 Spartan Gladiator cab and chassis. Simultaneously, the County will issue a new solicitation for the manufacture and assembly of the pump module, hose-body and accessory components with the agreed upon changes developed from the prototype unit. Obviously, given the fragile condition of the current fleet of pumpers, proceeding in this manner provides the most expeditious opportunity for timely delivery and to continue to introduce CAFS to the MCFRS while preserving the severe duty cab and chassis.

At this time, it is important to focus our efforts on the achievements we continue to enjoy in the Apparatus Section including the nine aerials and two hazardous materials units that are ahead of schedule. As I write this correspondence, we are working diligently to place in service the remaining six of seventeen EMS units that are uniformly equipped with the best gear available to meet our severe duty mission. Additionally, we are proceeding with the overhaul of the two aerial ladders assigned to T-12 and T-25. We anticipate having both units back in service within ninety days.

I assure you that the MCFRS personnel involved in this project remain focused with success in mind. Thanks to A/C Steve Lohr, Mr. Richard Riffe, B/C Mike Hamilton, Chief George Brown, MFF Donnie Simmons, and Mr. Craig Ferguson for their continued focus on this complex and critical project. I am confident that your cooperation and professionalism will help us reach all of our goals as soon as possible. "

# posted by Dave Statter @ 1:22 AM 3 Comments Links to this post

Photo Courtesy: Vito Maggiolo/DC Fire & EMS

Four DC firefighters are in Washington Hospital Center after being burned fighting a row house fire Monday afternoon.

Sgt. Michael Lacore, 37, was the most critically injured during the fire in Northeast, DC. He suffered second and third degree burns over 30% of his body. Firefighter Charlie Shyab, 30, is also in critical condition at the Medstar Burn Unit. Firefighter Doug Donnelly, 27, and Firefighter Kenneth Humpheries, 23, are both in serious condition.

The fire call went out around 3:30 p.m. for 619 4th St., NE. When DC Fire & EMS units arrived, the fire had spread from the outside porch into the cock loft. The four were inside a row house in the top floor when they a "mayday" was called. They were rescued and treated on the scene before being transferred to the hospital.

Though in the preliminary stages of the investigation, the cause is believed to be accidental. Fire officials say the fire appears to have started when some oily rags stored next to propane canisters were ignited.

Click Here for Video from Vito Maggiolo/DC Fire & EMS
Click Here for WUSA9.com Coverage of the Fire

Photo Courtesy: Vito Maggiolo/DC Fire & EMS

A District of Columbia Fire & EMS Department spokesman confirms now that 4 firefighters have been burned at a fire near 6th & F Streets, NE. The early report from Battalion Chief Kenneth Crosswhite is that one firefighter is in critical condition and three are in serious condition. They have been taken to the burn unit at the Washington Hospital Center.

A "mayday" was called about the same time or just prior to the second alarm being requested.

Crosswhite says it appears the firefighters were operating on the first three floor of a row house in the middle of the block.

Click HERE For WUSA9.com Coverage
Click HERE to Watch Video from Vito Maggiolo, DC Fire & EMS

KCCI-TV image

WHO-TV has live streaming coverage of this fire in Des Moines, here.

KCCI-TV is also on top of the fire at Barton Solvents. The latest below. Click here for the station's coverage.

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Firefighters are facing flames leaping hundreds of feet into the air as they try to battle a plant fire at 1920 NE Broadway and 46th Ave. in Saylor Township.

Crews reported explosions and flames showing from the roof of the Barton Solvents building when they first arrived around 1:30 p.m

A large cloud of smoke can be seen from miles away....Live SkyCam

Fire crews from all across the metro are being called to the scene including Ankeny and Altoona. Crews as far away as Grimes are being put on standby.

Des Moines Hazmat crews are also on the scene.

Multiple fire crews are pouring large amounts of water onto the building on fire.

Interstate 80 Closed

Interstate 80 has been shut down from the Merle Hay ramps to the east mixmaster due to the heavy smoke. Crews will be doing air quality tests to determine how toxic the smoke is.

Police have also closed down part of Broadway and NE 14th to allow fire crews to get to the scene. They're asking drivers to avoid the area.

Barton Solvents

Barton Solvents supplies chemical products to graphic design companies. The Polk County location is a supplier of blanket and roller washes, alcohol replacements, Isopropyl alcohol, silicones, rubber rejuvenators, ink solvents and oil, hydraulic oils, cleaners, and transportation of hazardous waste.

Barton employes close to 150 people.

Another Barton plant caught fire on July 17, 2007. Hundreds of people were evacuated from the town of Valley Center near Wichita, Kansas after an explosion and fire at that Barton plant.

(This entry is updated throughout the day, so please scroll down. Last updated at 3:11 p.m.)

WCBS-TV images of the firefighters in custody

Two FDNY members charged with arson after Manhattan firehouse torched

One of the bay doors at Engine 34 in Hell's Kitchen was set ablaze over the weekend. Two firefighters not assigned to that house have been charged with arson. We have video and plenty of links to the coverage. Just click here.

Fire that killed 7 college students believe to have started on or near deck

We have been following the fire early Sunday morning in Ocean Isle, NC. Investigators believe the fire started on or near a deck on the west side of the house and adjacent to the canal. The cause is believed to be accidental. Click here to read the latest information, see the video shot by a neighbor and for links to news coverage.

FEMA fallout

We showed you the fake FEMA news conference. Now here is the latest from the AP:

The man who staged a fake Federal Emergency Management Agency news conference has lost a chance to be National Intelligence Director Mike McConnell's top public information officer.

John P. "Pat" Philbin, FEMA's external affairs director, who had been scheduled to move into the new job on Monday, will not be getting it after last week's phony news conference. The staged question-and-answer session was harshly criticized by both the White House and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, whose department oversees FEMA.

"We do not normally comment on personnel matters," DNI spokesman Ross Feinstein said Monday. "However, we can confirm that Mr. Philbin is not, nor is he scheduled to be, the director of public affairs for the Office of the Director of National
Intelligence."

MRSA suspected with ranking PGFD official

Sources tell STATter 911 that recruits and staff at the training academy for the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department were briefed on Friday about a possible case of the antibiotic resistant staph infection. The person being treated is a ranking official with the department.

Update: PGFD spokesman Mark Brady told STATter 911 this afternoon that they do have an employee who is being treated for a skin rash. Brady said that those who work in the same office as this individual were provided information on how to deal with infection control. According to Brady, this person does not normally deliver fire and EMS services directly to the public.

Our original story is here.

Putting the cart before the .... oh, never mind

An Illinois firefighter at a union sponsored golf outing had problems driving a golf cart and his own car. The second wreck became a police matter.

Moving fast

We have shown you a couple of funnels formed in the California wildfires. Now, take a look above at how the flames are dancing in this video.

Old video from NJ

Above is a June 12, 1997 fire in Newark.

LAFD training

In the news story above, look inside the training academy at the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

Gratitude

A man who almost lost his home to a fire, fights with the passerby who tried to help him and the firefighters who kept his property from being destroyed. Click here to read the story from Marysville, PA (there is video attached).

Wind whipped barn fire

The wind is blowing a bit, above, as a barn burns. I believe that this is the Union Hill Fire Department near Rochester, NY and the fire was early Sunday morning.

More from the Rochester area

While looking for details on the barn fire, I found the Monroe County Fire Wire site and the video above from February.

And finally, some 911 comic relief

Click the video above to see why it is important for those working the 911 lines to be very precise with their language.

Click the image above to see WCBS-TV's coverage of the arrests

Other local news coverage:

WNBC-TV
WNYW-TV
WABC-TV
NY1
New York Times
New York Daily News
New York Post
Newsday

(Note: As of 1:00 a.m. only two of the TV stations and two of the papers had the story)

NEW YORK (AP) ― Two firefighters have been arrested on charges of setting fire to a city firehouse, the Fire Department said Sunday.

Michael Izzo, 30, and Richard Capece, 31, did not work at the firehouse where the blaze was set early Saturday. They both face felony charges of arson, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief, the department said.

The men are accused of using a flammable liquid to set an apparatus door on fire at Engine 34 in the Hell's Kitchen section of Manhattan. A firefighter on the scene saw smoke entering the firehouse alerted on-duty firefighters, who extinguished the flame. No one was hurt.


The Uniformed Firefighters Association did not immediately return a call seeking comment, and a message left at a home number listed under Izzo's name was not immediately returned. Capece's home number was unlisted.

In a statement, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta called the incident "an outrageous, depraved act that should be prosecuted to the full extent under the law."

The Fire Department did not release any information on what could have motivated the men to set the fire. The two were arrested by fire marshals and investigators from the city's Department of Investigation.

STATter 911 has learned a ranking member of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department is being treated for what officials suspect is MRSA. MRSA is the sometimes deadly "superbug", methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

According to sources not in a position to comment publicly, the official is assigned to PGFD's training academy. The sources tell STATter 911 that recruits and the academy's staff were briefed on Friday about the situation. An infection control officer advised people what to look for and how to prevent the spread of the infection.

Over the last two weeks, the training academy for DC Fire & EMS was decontaminated twice because of a staph outbreak among recruits. DC officials never confirmed publicly if the staph infection was the antibiotic-resistant strain.

Last year, a Prince George's County Police Department training facility dealt with a staph outbreak. In an effort to get that situation under control, members of a recruit class were sent home for two weeks.

A spokesman for PGFD could not comment on this latest incident.

Wilmington Star photo

Image from WBTW-TV

Watch raw video of the fire in its early stages

See the story here.

Below are some local sources for news about the fire in Ocean Isle, NC

WBTW-TV
myrtlebeachonline.com
Wilmington Star

Here is the latest from the AP as of 1:00 p.m. on Monday:

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) — A fire at a vacation house where a group of college friends went to take advantage of the last good beach weather may have started on a deck, an official said Monday, as two campuses waited to find out the names of the seven dead.

The home erupted into a storm of fire and smoke Sunday morning in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. Six of the seven students killed attended the University of South Carolina; the other attended Clemson University. Six other South Carolina students in the house survived.

Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith said investigators told her the fire was likely accidental and started in the rear of the house, either on or near a deck facing a canal on the west side of the house. That side of the building appeared to have suffered the most damage. Earlier Monday, Smith had said the fire started on the deck.

"They may not be able to determine what started it," Smith said.

Though students heard through word of mouth which students survived, the names of the victims had not been officially announced. Classes went on as scheduled at the University of South Carolina Monday, but a garnet and black banner with the school's mascot, a Gamecock, flew at half-staff alongside an American flag outside a fraternity house. Two black ribbons were wrapped around the columns of another house.

Kaitlynn Forsyth, 20, a junior marketing major, said she learned about the fire while studying in the library Sunday night, and quickly went to the Internet to find out more.

"I seriously just sat there. It took everything not to cry," she said. "The more we looked at stuff, my heart just sank. I had to go back to studying to fight off my tears. I just imagine it could have been anybody."

The students had gathered at the home for the weekend to enjoy the fleeting beach weather. All that was left of the home Monday was a charred shell, and a burned-out car sat in the driveway, cordoned off with police tape.

The fire struck sometime before 7 a.m. and burned completely through the first and second floors, leaving only part of the frame standing. The waterfront home — named "Changing Channels" — was built on stilts, forcing firefighters to climb a ladder onto the house's deck to reach the first living floor.

One witness described seeing three students sitting on the ground screaming as the home burned, and another jumping from a window into a waterway. The heat was so intense the front door was too hot to open, preventing rescue attempts.

The burned home sits on one of a series of peninsulas, all tightly packed with homes, that are about two blocks from the beach and connect by canals. Several houses near the one that burned were filled with college students.

Officials said the group was staying at a house owned by the parents of one of the students. Many were friends from the Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, said Dennis Pruitt, the school's dean of students.

Brandon Weghorst, spokesman for the national headquarters of the fraternity, said he believed at least three members were killed in the fire and that Sigma Alpha Epsilon was sending a chaplain to help students in Columbia.

"Any time you've got one death it's difficult, but multiple deaths can be overwhelming for a chapter," he said. "When a tragedy like that happens, especially to someone who's so young, it makes it more difficult."

Some of the people in the house had been friends since high school, said Rick Wylie of Greenville, who said his son Tripp jumped from the burning home.

"He's in shock," Wylie said. "It's just an incomprehensible thing for these parents."

Ashley Moore, a fashion merchandising senior at South Carolina, said one of her friends was in a sorority with the Clemson student. Her friend sent a message to her Sunday evening asking "to keep her sorority in mind because it was one of her sisters."

"I feel really bad for everybody. It's one of those events that you can't help but feel bad for anyone that's involved," said Moore, of Spartanburg. "You just give your sympathies to everyone involved and be grateful for the friends you have, keep them close."

Officials said grief counselors would be available for South Carolina's 27,000 students. Clemson on Monday said counseling also was being offered on its campus, about 140 miles northwest of the University of South Carolina.

The victims' bodies were taken to the state medical examiner's office in Chapel Hill, N.C. Smith said none had been identified.

Ocean Isle Beach is at the southern end of North Carolina's Atlantic Coast, about 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach. Only about 500 people live there year-round, but the town is home to several thousand rental and vacation homes and condos.

From Sunday evening:

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) -- Fire ravaged a beach house occupied by more than a dozen college students early Sunday, killing seven and sending several more to a hospital.

Six survivors were released after treatment, including one who jumped from the burning house into a waterway, Mayor Debbie Smith said. Officials had accounted for all of the 13 people believed to be inside the home, Smith said.

"There were three kids sitting on the ground screaming," said newspaper deliverer Tim Burns, who called 911 after seeing a column of smoke rising from the house. "There was one guy hanging out the window, and he jumped in the canal. I know he got out because he was yelling for a girl to follow him."

Burns said he didn't know whether that girl was able to escape.

Smith said she believed 12 of the house's 13 occupants were students at the University of South Carolina; the other attended Clemson University. The private home was being used by the owner's daughter and a group of her friends, she said.

"Nothing like this has ever happened at Ocean Isle Beach," Smith said.

The fire struck the house on Scotland Street sometime before 7 a.m. and burned completely through the first and second floors, leaving only part of the frame standing.

"We ran down the street to get away," said Nick Cain, a student at the University of North Carolina who was staying at a house about 100 feet away. "The ash and the smoke were coming down on us. We were just trying to get away."

Burns said he had to fight to keep several of those who escaped from the fire from going back inside to try to rescue their friends. When he approached the front door, he said, it was too hot to open.

"When I was going up to the entryway, you could hear the windows above me explode," Burns said. "When I knew the flames had taken over, I don't think I've ever felt as helpless in my life."

From WBTW-TV

The waterfront house was built on stilts, and firefighters had to climb a ladder to reach the first living floor.

"I heard somebody hollering 'help.' It was real strong," said neighbor Nell Blanton. "But they were making so much noise last night, I thought they were playing around."

The house had working smoke detectors but no sprinklers, Smith said. It could be a day or more before investigators pinpoint the cause of the blaze, said Randy Thompson, Brunswick County's emergency services director.

Authorities erected a blue tarp to block the view of the fire scene, but neighbor Bob Alexander said he saw investigators removing bodies.

"It's terrible to see somebody's children come out of that house this way," Alexander said.

Family members of some victims gathered in a chapel across the street from the town hall but declined to speak with reporters.

Representatives of the South Carolina school were in touch with officials in Ocean Isle Beach, university spokesman Russ McKinney said. School officials were headed to the scene, about 30 miles north of Myrtle Beach, S.C., he said. The university in Columbia, S.C., planned a news conference later in the day.

Brunswick Community Hospital received six patients from the fire, spokeswoman Amy Myers said. All were treated and released, she said.

The victim's bodies were to be taken to the state medical examiner's office in Chapel Hill, and officials said it would be several days before their identities are released. Authorities from the State Bureau of Investigation and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are leading the investigation, Thompson said.

Ocean Isle Beach is at the far southern end of North Carolina's Atlantic Coast. Only about 500 people live there year-round, but the town is home to several thousand rental and vacation homes and condos.

The burned house sits on one of a series of peninsulas, all tightly packed with homes, that are about two blocks from the beach and connect with the Intracoastal Waterway.

(This entry is updated throughout the day, so scroll down. Last updated Sunday at 12:45 p.m.)

Helping out

Craig Luecke wears many hats, with successful careers in the fire service and with web based businesses. With his Rockland USA Live!, Craig wants to help out firefighters in San Diego who lost their own homes while helping others.

On Monday at 4:00 p.m., Craig will be promoting Fireforce 2007. It's an effort to raise money to help out those firefighters. I hope to be calling in and joining Craig for a few minutes. Click the banner above to learn how you can listen and participate. Read more on FireGeezer.com.

Geezer on fire

Speaking of the Geezer, read his latest entry on the Deutsche Bank tragedy. More documents have been uncovered by this has-been fire captain turned crusading journalist. Well worth your time.

He also has a story that is the opposite of the one I have below. A fire station that doesn't even want firefighters sleeping at the firehouse.

Bunk mates

The modern day fire chief wants community involvement from their firefighters. Interacting with the citizens and inviting the into the fire stations. But apparently that only goes so far. In case you weren't sure, it is still against the rules to invite someone to share your firehouse bed. Read the bedtime story of one DC firefighter, along with his explanation.

By the way, one of my usual agitators (imagine that, a firefighter who likes to stir the pot), suggested I may be working on the marketing side, because a mattress ad showed up alongside the sleepover story. Total coincidence.

Take my hose, please

WithTheCommand.com found this story from the Catskills. The above New York Times photo by Suzanne DeChillo is of the old Concord hotel. Many famous comedians and other celebrities entertained at this resort. It is now used for firefighter training with fire crews coming back, year after year, to burn portions of the hotel.

The Monticello, NY fire chief, deputy fire chief and a firefighter all once worked there. Here's the story.

California fire policy

Some people feel the recent fire storms show there is a big lesson to learn about wildfires and how we handle them. Read this New York Times article.

Testing the waters

After months of battling, including the head of DC's water works saying, just two days ago, that the problems didn't start until this fire chief arrived, everyone made nice Friday. DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin and Water & Sewer Authority General Manager Jerry Johnson now have an agreement on the future of hydrant testing. Johnson will do what he refused to answer question about for weeks, put up money for the testing. Read Allison Klein's article in The Washington Post.

FF Andrew Pikop from the San Diego Union-Tribune's Nelvin Cepeda

FF burned in Harris fire talks to reporter

We have been telling you all week about the four firefighters burned in the San Diego area while trying to rescue a father and son. The San Diego Union-Tribune has an interview with one of them, 27-year-old Andrew Pikop.

The fire service and the Internet

Since I first learned about it a few months back, I have enjoyed reading Charles Bailey's tinhelmet.com. The most recent entry by William Carey is quite interesting. It is called Fire Service and the Internet. Friend or Foe? and begins this way:

I believe that the sole contributor to the loss of honor, brotherhood and loyalty is probably the most used instrument in the fire service; the Internet.

While he only focuses on the downside of communicating in the electronic age, Carey makes some very valid points that are well worth reading. These are issues I wrestle with every day in our comments section.

My business and your business have changed forever. The genie is out of the bottle, but it would be nice if we could tame it a bit.

2nd alarm in KS

The video above is from a fire at a bowling alley that burned Thursday night in Kansas City, KS.

(This news digest is updated throughout the day, so scroll down. Last update at 7:32 p.m.)

A couple having marital difficulties died in this fire in New Market, MD on Thursday night. Officials say accelerants were used throughout the house and the woman was beaten and strangled before the fires were set. The top photo is from Susan Sanner. Despite the tragedy, the pictures above seem to indicate the fire department did its job, with the townhouses on either side still standing. More can be found on wusa9.com.

Firehouse sleepover has firefighter facing charges

Lost in the larger unrelated sex scandal, STATter 911 has exclusive details of charges that a DC firefighter is expected to face in November. He is accused of having a woman share his bunk at the firehouse and then misleading his superiors about what happened. A lieutenant claims he caught the couple in bed with the lights out. Our story can be found here.

Deal between WASA and DC Fire & EMS

After months of battling it appears that an agreement has now been reached between DC Fire & EMS and the DC Water & Sewer Authority over hydrant testing. Mayor Adrian Fenty is scheduled to announce details at 1:00 p.m.

The quarters of Engine 24 and Rescue Squad 2 from DCFD.com

As a grand jury looks into allegations of a sex ring involving District of Columbia firefighters, an unrelated claim of possible sexual misconduct, until now, has gone unnoticed. STATter 911 has learned a veteran firefighter is expected to face a department trial board next month after being accused of having a woman share his bed inside a DC firehouse.

When asked about the case from this summer, DC Fire & EMS Department Battalion Chief Kenneth Crosswhite will only say they have received allegations and have recommended the case to a trial board. Crosswhite says he "is not at liberty to discuss it anymore". But STATter 911 has received a copy of the charges against the firefighter who was assigned to drive Rescue Squad 2, located with Engine 24, at 5101 Georgia Avenue, Northwest.

According to a memorandum sent to the firefighter on September 24th by Assistant Fire Chief Larry Schultz, "the Department is seeking the maximum penalty of termination" in this case. The papers show two charges against the firefighter claiming he had an unauthorized female visitor in his bunk and that he obstructed a department investigation.

The incident occurred on July 1st. According to the documents sent to the firefighter, a department lieutenant reported that "when he entered the technician's bunk room, he found you in bed with a female with the lights off". At the firehouse, there are a number of private sleeping quarters in addition to the general bunk room.

The papers refer to a department special report stating the firefighter admitted to having the female in his bunk. The report claims the firefighter told his superiors that "she needed a place to stay" and that he admitted to having the woman in bed with him.

The firefighter is accused of providing "misleading and inaccurate statements to superiors during an official investigation" because of a report he wrote about the incident four days after it happened. The charging documents claim in that report the firefighter recanted his earlier admission:

You wrote that at 0800 hours, after being relieved and off duty, you remained in quarters of Engine Company 24 to await transportation home. You added that you needed assistance with some personal belongings and beddings, so you asked your "transportation" to accompany you to quarters to remove your belongings.

The fire department claims the firefighter first told superiors the woman arrived at 4:00 a.m. and in his later statement wrote that she showed up at 7:45 a.m.

Sources tell STATter 911 that the firefighter is still working with full pay, but has been placed in a job where he does not interact with the public.

(Make sure you scroll down, we add to this entry throughout the day ... latest update 1:47PM)

California fires: Latest news; Former San Diego fire chief won't leave his home; Fire equipment not ordered

Here is the latest from the AP:

Crews found two burned bodies in a gutted house, authorities said Thursday, and flames drew perilously close to thousands of homes in Southern California's firestorm despite a break in the harsh winds and a massive aerial assault.

Medical examiners were trying to establish the identities of the man and woman whose bodies were found near Poway, north of San Diego, said Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Jan Caldwell. They were believed to be related, officials said.

The hot, dry Santa Ana winds that have whipped the blazes into a destructive, indiscriminate fury since the weekend were expected to all but disappear. "That will certainly aid in firefighting efforts," National Weather Service meteorologist Jamie Meier said.

But electricity was a concern. A wildfire cut a main power link with Arizona, while another blaze near Camp Pendleton was threatening the main north-south power corridor that connects San Diego with the rest of California. Additional power was being shipped from Mexico, said Sempra Utilities Chief Operating Officer Michael Niggli.

Also from Southern California, Jeff Bowman is one of the many people who refused to heed the order to evacuate. Bowman is also the former chief of the San Diego Fire Department. Read Bowman's reasoning and how he says his plans to increase the number of fire stations and firefighters after the 2003 fire were ignored.

Even though Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has dressed down reporters who ask questions about the state's response by saying you won't find any problems, the LA Times seems to have done just that. They looked at the recommendations of the blue ribbon panel Schwarzenegger appointed after the 2003 fire. Here are the key points:

A special panel appointed by Schwarzenegger recommended in 2004 that California buy 150 more firetrucks for emergencies. So far only 19 have been ordered. They are scheduled to arrive in time for next year's fire season.

The state has not replaced its Vietnam-era helicopters, although the Blue Ribbon Fire Commission had warned that many were nearing the end of their operational lives and that the availability of replacements "is diminishing and will soon be exhausted."

The LA Times has this video of an interview of a San Bernadino firefighter working the front lines for 36 hours straight.

Another interesting article from the LA Times talking with firefighters about this issue: "Firefighters in San Diego County sensed from the start that they were outmatched this time. Maddeningly intense blazes met explosive suburban growth".

The air war over Southern California isn't just against the fire. Still a lot of criticism about the air support capability and when and how it was called in. It is unclear how much fire goes with the smoke. Here is the latest story from the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Two more stories from the fires in Southern California are the firefighters burned on Sunday and a close call on Monday. From Sunday, we have the details of the rescue attempt that firefighters were involved in and a link to video from inside the burn unit where they are being treated. Also, pictures and the story, as 12 firefighters deployed their shelters on Monday. Those stories and many of the links we have been offering can be found here.

A time lapse video of the Harris fire can be found here.

Below, are some of the interesting links put together by our wusa9.com web producer, Emily Cyr. Emily's handiwork in gathering information, pictures, maps and videos can by found here.

Click here for a slideshow with photographs from the fires

Click here for an interactive graphic

Reporter up close and personal with the fire

I will recuse myself and let you all be the judge of the video above from San Diego.

Play by play

Above, a resident narrates as flames and smoke encroach on a Foothill Ranch street. Orange County firefighters are on the scene.

Family affair

Above, mom, dad and the kids watch and do a lot of wishful thinking, until they realize it is time to go.


In other news ... no that is not California, it's Bethany Beach

Yes, we do cover other news. The picture above is from an early morning fire Wednesday on Ocean Ridge Drive in Bethany Beach. The photo above is from Chuck Snyder via delmarvanow.com

WASA chief says relationship soured after new fire chief arrived

It is pretty clear by Elissa Silverman's article in today's Washington Post that DC Water and Sewer Authority General Manager Jerry Johnson is not a Dennis Rubin fan. He also doesn't appear to be a fan of the way thousands of hydrants were tested by the fire department.

Lake Michigan rescue

Three of four men died after Chicago Fire Department divers pulled them out of Lake Michigan Wednesday night when their boat crashed into a breakwater. The story and video are here.

John Carter remembered

From our archives, a look back at the LODD of DCFD's John Carter, who died 10 years ago.

Study suggests closing Pittsburgh firehouses

The draft report calls for closing 6 fire stations. It is now an election issue, as the IAFF challenges the mayor and his opponent to talk specifics about the study.

Training video

There is not a lot of info with this fire. It is titled Structure Fire (Trailer) and has these comments: "This Video I wish to be used by the Fire Fighters of the US to Watch and Learn From, Not to poke fun of or make jokes of. In Life, we all Make Mistakes, It's Learning From Mistakes that Makes Us Better".

At the end, the video thanks the Lee Center Volunteer Fire Department, which is the Oneida County, NY department that had been shut down by the Lee Center Board of Fire Commissioners. Details here.

Around the web

FireGeezer has a good morning lineup story on a volunteer recruitment program in Nebraska and the return of a classic comedy routine that will make my son very happy.

Among many other things WithTheCommand.com has stories on exhausted firefighters in California and the command center that the LA Times likens to a war room.

Firefighter Nation has a lot of videos from CA, and a lot more.

SConFire.com has the story of a fire chief losing his home and an opinion piece on the Charleston situation.

Of course, if you are looking for opinions on Charleston, you will always find them on Firefighter Hourly.

VAFireNews.com has the story of a teen hero in Harrisonburg and everything else Virginia.

I sort of ignored this story because it was all over the place, but if you haven't seen it, check out EMSresponder.com for the lost ambulance in Chicago.

And finally .... an explosive issue

I have been showing you for a while the stupid things people have been doing with fires and then videotaping them. In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, fire department officials are concerned about videos inspiring kids to do dangerous things with propane tanks. WJZ-TV has the story of one such stunt that happened recently near Annapolis.

Family photo of John and James Carter

After 35 years of doing this I have covered a lot of stories. Of course, some of them are more memorable than others. When people ask me about those, I almost always mention the interview I did on Sunday, October 26, 1997.

Two days earlier, DCFD Sgt. John Michael Carter died in the basement of a burning building at 5th and Kennedy Streets, NW. That Sunday, Kenny Cox, a vice-president of IAFF Local 36, called to say that Carter's widow Debbie would like to talk with me about her husband. And talk she did. How this woman was able to stay composed to tell us about the love of her life, I will never know. As I have said many times since, we all should have someone speak so eloquently on our behalf once we our gone.

While Debbie didn't shed a tear, many who watched it did. Click here to see the interview from ten years ago.

To see pictures from today's ceremony marking John Carter's death, click here or you can also visit DCFD.com.

Above, LiveLeak has a time lapse of the Harris fire. It was taken between midnight and 11:30 today.

Click here for more STATter 911 Southern California coverage and links, including details on the firefighters burned on Sunday and the close call from Orange County on Monday.

Below is an afternoon rundown from AP on the Southern California wildfires.

San Diego County
--Witch Fire: About 196,420 acres in northern San Diego County from Witch Creek to Rancho Santa Fe. Ten percent contained. Destroyed 500 homes, 100 businesses and 50 outbuildings; damaged 375 other buildings including 250 homes. Two civilians and 12 firefighters injured.
--Harris Fire: About 73,000 acres, north of border town of Tecate. Containment around 10 percent. Destroyed 200 homes; threatened 2,000 homes and 500 commercial properties. One civilian killed, 21 civilians and five firefighters injured.
--Rice Fire: About 7,500 acres in Fallbrook in northern San Diego County. Containment around 15 percent. Destroyed 206 homes and two commercial properties. One firefighter injured.
--Poomacha Fire: About 25,000 acres on La Jolla Indian Reservation in northeastern San Diego County. No containment. Destroyed 50 homes; threatened 2,000 homes. Ten firefighters injured.
--Camp Pendleton Fire: About 3,000 acres on the Marine base north of San Diego. Containment around 10 percent.
-- At least 1,200 homes in the county have been destroyed, according to officials.
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Los Angeles County
--Buckweed Fire: About 38,356 acres, south of Agua Dulce in northeastern Los Angeles County. Containment around 94 percent. Destroyed 15 homes, 17 outbuildings, two bridges and 40 vehicles. Four people injured. About 15,000 people evacuated.
--Canyon Fire: About 4,500 acres, coastal community of Malibu.Containment around 85 percent. Destroyed six homes, two businesses and a church. Damaged nine homes, five commercial buildings. Four people injured. About 1,500 people, including several celebrities, evacuated.
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Ventura County
--Ranch Fire: About 51,337 acres in Castaic area near Piru. Containment around 45 percent. Destroyed three homes, four outbuildings. Threatened 500 homes and 50 commercial buildings. No injuries reported.
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Orange County
--Santiago Fire: About 19,200 acres east of Irvine. Containment around 30 percent. Destroyed six homes and eight outbuildings. Damaged eight homes and 12 outbuildings. Four firefighters injured. About 3,000 people evacuated.
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San Bernardino County
--Slide Fire: More than 5,119 acres in Green Valley Lake area of San Bernardino Mountains, east of Lake Arrowhead. No containment. At least 200 homes destroyed.
--Grass Valley Fire: More than 1,000 acres in Grass Valley area northwest of Lake Arrowhead. Containment around 5 percent. Destroyed at least 113 homes.
--Slide and Grass Valley fires combined threaten estimated 10,000 homes in resort communities. Thousands of residents and a hospital
evacuated.

LA Times photo by Karen Tapia of firefighters in Orange County deploying their emergency packs. Read the story here and see a related story below.

Alameda County firefighters get a drop from a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department helicopter in a San Diego Union-Tribune photo by K.C. Alfred

CA fire links