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(Updated at 5:37 PM)

Two FFs killed and others injured in five-alarm millwork fire in Salisbury, NC. USAR and task force sent from Charlotte.

WSOC-TV images at top and bottom. Middle image from WCNC-TV.

The Charlotte Observer and TV stations which reported a third firefighter died in this morning's fire in Salisbury, NC, have now backed away from that report. So far, two firefighters are confirmed dead. The paper says the misinformation came from a police officer on the scene.

The deaths and injuries to at least 3 other firefighters occurred during the five-alarm fire at a millwork. Salisbury is in Rowan County, NC.

At 11:30 AM the fire was still burning out of control and help, including USAR, was sent from Charlotte, about 45 miles away. From the Charlotte Observer:

The Charlotte Fire Department sent about 25 rescue workers to help fight the fire. According to CFD spokesperson Mark Basnight, the aid includes three engine companies, one ladder company, one heavy rescue company, a USAR/Structural Collapse company and several chief officers.

Here is the latest from the Salisbury Post:

Two firefighters, Justin Monroe, 19, and Victor Isler, 40, died as the result of a huge fire at Salisbury Millwork.

One died on the scene and the other later at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

A third firefighter, Capt. Rick Barkley, was transferred to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center with second- and possibly third-degree burns. Early reports indicated he had died, but officials from Rowan Regional contacted the Winston-Salem hospital and he is expected to come home as early as tonight.

Justin Monroe's mother, Lisa, works in the accounting department at Rowan Regional. His father is Eddie.Two firefighters from Locke Fire Department were admitted to Rowan Regional Medical Center, but have been released. Another firefighter was brought to the hospital later, treated and released.

Rowan Regional Medical Center Chaplain James Cook said only one of the deceased firefighters' families had been to the hospital this afternoon. They stayed in a private area where they were "trying to absorb what has happened.

"They are in shock and being supported by the hospital staff," said Cook, who was visibly shaken and having difficulty talking about it.

"The extended family and pastors are in there with them. The pastors are praying and offering support.

"They're just supporting each other. This is huge. You never do expect this kind of thing to happen.

"It's a lot to take in."

By 2:30, that family had left and Salisbury officials had gone to pick up members of the second firefighter's family. The mother who had been at the hospital told Cook to tell the other family that their thoughts and prayers were with them.

The fire started in the office at Salisbury Millwork on South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and spread after firefighters initially thought they had it under control. The plant is a total loss.

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Slideshow from WCNC-TV

Story from WCNC-TV

Baltimore FF in trauma center after falling off engine

As we first reported yesterday a Baltimore City firefighter fell out of Engine 6 early Thursday morning while enroute to a building fire in the 1200 Block of E. Lafayette Avenue. There is a brief mention in The Baltimore Sun. Here is what Chief Billy Goldfeder of FirefighterCloseCalls.com has:

A Baltimore City Firefighter was seriously injured in a fall from a responding fire apparatus yesterday. FF/PM Bryan Isaacs was taken to Shock Trauma and is in very serious condition. Initial reports are that he was standing up getting geared up in the back of the rig ...and when the engine made a turn, he fell out.

Keep him and his family in your thoughts while making sure this doesn't happen at your FD.

Notice from IAFF Local 734:

March 6, 2008 11:00 hrsFF/PM Bryan Isaacs E-6 C-shift was involved in a serious incident last night while responding to a box alarm. He is in Shock Trauma with multiple head injuries with some carotid bleeding. Visitors are limited to the immediate family so please honor the families’ privacy. Please keep Bryan and his family in your thoughts and prayers and we will update you of any change.

The department and the union have offered the family any assistance they might require.

Rick Schluderberg,President

Also in Baltimore, ammonia leak contained

Firefighters began dealing with an ammonia leak around 8:30 last night and are still on the scene this morning. It is the old American Ice Company plant in the 2100 block of West Franklin Street. It has closed Route 40, two schools and a commuter rail station. Watch the story from WJZ-TV. Read the story from The Baltimore Sun.

Arlington, VA has first fatal fire in two years -- FF also injured

The fire was at 5:30 this morning in the 5500 block of South 4th Street. Arlington County Fire reports its first units went on the scene with heavy smoke and fire conditions. As firefighters entered the home they discovered an elderly female who was unable to escape the blaze. She was pronounced dead on the scene. Two other occupants managed to escape, but were injured. A firefighter was also hurt as he fell from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor. According to fire officials the injuries appear to be non-life threatening. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

Wife of slain FL FF speaks

A composed Michele Vasquez talked eloquently about her firefighter husband Rafael on Thursday, three days after he was shot and killed as they picked up lunch in West Palm Beach. Click her to watch the video.

Times Square explosion video

This is surveillance video of the explosion at Times Square early Thursday morning. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly describes it as a "low-order explosive" contained in a military-style ammunition box. Letters that have been received by members of Congress apparently aren't connected to the blast. Read more.

The story behind the phrase

A history lesson from Bill Carey and his Charge the Line! site as he looks at the original Collyer Mansion. It is in two parts: Part 1; Part 2.

I could write something like that, but my mind and desk are as cluttered as a Collyer's Mansion. I would never be able to get my thoughts together or find my notes.

Raw video from FL plane crash

This is from the crash Saturday in Titusville that killed three men after a plane landing struck a plane on the ground. Read more.

Closing fire stations to avoid bankruptcy

That's what is happening in Vallejo, CA starting this morning. Here is the story from the San Jose Mercury News:

The city of Vallejo faces a $13.2 million 2007-2008 general fund operating deficit and a negative funding balance of $9 million on June 30. The City Council approved an emergency plan early Tuesday morning to help prevent the city from filing bankruptcy by the end of the month.

Firefighters agreed to accept a reduction in the minimum daily staffing level of 28 to 22 through June 30 and the temporary closure of two fire companies. The tentative agreements enable the city to meet its general fund payment obligations through June 30.

The decision to close stations 22 and 27 was based upon analysis of a variety of factors including district call volume, proximity to other fire stations, square miles served and population served, officials said.

In addition to the closure of Vallejo fire stations 22 and 27, daily minimum staffing will be reduced from 28 firefighters to 22 firefighters per day as well as staffing reductions in Fire Administration, Fire Prevention and Fire Training Divisions, officials said.

Station 22 is located at 700 Fifth Street and serves the residents of South Vallejo. Station 27 is located at 1585 Ascot Court and serves the Northgate and Hiddenbrooke areas of Vallejo, according to the Fire Department.

Stations 22 and 27 will close at 8 a.m. today until further notice, according to the Fire Department.

See FireGeezer's previous coverage of this story.

House fire in Birmingham

This is from Tuesday in Birmingham, AL.

Cargo plane burns

In Indonesia this plane caught fire while landing at Wamena airport in Papua. All eight of the passengers and crew are reported to have escaped the blaze unharmed. The plane ran off the runway after landing. Click here for more pictures from Telegraph.co.uk, along with details.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 5:37 PM