A vehicle exploded near U.S. Route 36 and Ronald Reagan Parkway in Avon, Indiana around noon on Monday, engulfing a firefighter in flames and knocking the firefighter off their feet.

Despite the dramatic scene, fire officials say the firefighter walked away without serious injuries.Video of the incident, posted to social media by the Washington Township / Avon Fire Department, shows the explosion pushing the firefighter backward before the firefighter rolled away from the burning vehicle and was helped back to their feet.

As reported by IndyStar, the firefighter was wearing full protective gear at the time. Avon Fire confirmed there were no injuries to firefighters, no injuries to the driver, and no injuries to bystanders, according to the same IndyStar report.

The driver was reportedly outside the vehicle at the time of the explosion, per the fire department’s account relayed in the IndyStar story. Fire officials have not released an initial cause of the fire, the outlet noted.

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VIDEO: High school students from across Oklahoma are competing in the second annual state drone championship, where they are using drones to complete search and rescue challenges inspired by real-world emergencies.

The two-day competition at Lake Carl Blackwell is designed to help students develop skills for Oklahoma’s fastest-growing industry, as more first responders turn to drones during emergencies.

“One of the scenarios is a snake bite victim. Here at Lake Carl Blackwell, we have snakes, so there is a downed victim that is hurt and needs a tourniquet. They have to launch their drone, are given their dispatch scenario, find their code, report it back but also drop a tourniquet,” said Natalie Noles, director of business operations workforce development at Oklahoma State University.

Students from Ada High School participated in a challenge to locate a missing hiker who had taken cover from a storm.

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: A firefighter was shot, and a suspect died after Renton police officers returned fire in an Albertsons parking lot Thursday night, according to Renton police.

Police said officers were called just before 8:30 p.m. to the parking lot in the 4600 block of NE Sunset Boulevard to help the fire department with an unconscious person in a vehicle.

As officers arrived, they heard a gunshot, and a firefighter at the scene was struck by a bullet. Officers returned fire, shooting and killing the suspect, police said.

The firefighter was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

The Renton Firefighters union, IAFF Local 864, called it a “horrific situation no firefighter should ever find themselves in” in a post on X and asked people to keep the injured member in their thoughts and prayers.

The union also thanked Renton police for their quick actions, saying they helped prevent further injuries to civilians or other members.

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PHOTOS: Six people died, and several others were injured after a three-alarm fire tore through a home in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, early Thursday morning.

The fire broke out just before 1:40 a.m. at a home on 58th Street. Flames shot from the windows as firefighters battled the blaze, which officials said appears to have started on the second floor before spreading throughout the two-story building.

The fire did spread to a neighboring home. Four adults were pronounced dead at the scene. They will have to be identified by the Medical Examiner. Two others, a man and a woman, died while being transported to the hospital. Four residents and three firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Among the injured, a man went to Staten Island University Hospital with burns to his feet, and a woman went to Maimonides for treatment of smoke inhalation.

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: The Ohio State Fire Marshal paid tribute Thursday to North Royalton Firefighter Ryan Milligan, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this week.

Firefighter Milligan, 36, of Seven Hills, died Monday evening while battling a house fire in the 2100 block of West Royalton Rd. in Broadview Heights. A second firefighter, Andrew Protsman, 38, of Parma, suffered serious injuries in that same fire and remains hospitalized.

“The loss of one firefighter and the serious injury of another is a heartbreaking tragedy that resonates far beyond their department,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These firefighters answered the call to serve others without hesitation, placing themselves in harm’s way to protect their community.”

The State Fire Marshal’s Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau is leading the investigation into the fire, which is being conducted in partnership with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

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The driver of a car was injured Wednesday morning after their vehicle plowed into a business in Orange County and then exploded into flames.

The crash happened just before noon on the 24000 block of Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo. Officials with the Orange County Fire Authority said the car crashed into a nail salon before catching on fire.

An off-duty fire captain was at a business next door and immediately rushed to the scene, running into the building to make sure everyone inside was safe. Fire units also arrived and rapidly put out the fire.

The driver of the car was transported to the hospital. No other injuries were reported.

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Fire crews from multiple agencies battled a large fire at a recycling facility in Milford Township.

The fire was at the facility and yard in the area of Childs Lake Rd. and E. Buno Rd.

Chopper 7 was over the scene which showed multiple crews putting water on the fire, and the Lyon Township Fire Department said it provided mutual aid with a tanker for the fire.

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VIDEO: A collection of historic Tucson fire engines connected to one of the city’s most infamous moments has received a new lease on life, thanks to a group of retired firefighters who have spent years restoring the vehicles and preserving local fire history.

The Greater Tucson Fire Foundation, a nonprofit organization made up of former firefighters and volunteers, has worked to restore several vintage fire engines, including vehicles that responded to the 1934 Hotel Congress fire that ultimately helped expose the whereabouts of notorious gangster John Dillinger and his gang.

“The fire, which is what Dillinger Days was based about,” said Brian Fitzgerald, a retired Tucson Fire Department firefighter. “These three trucks were here and they’re the trucks they used to put the fires out!”

The fire broke out at Hotel Congress on Jan. 23, 1934, while members of the Dillinger gang were staying at the downtown hotel. After firefighters rescued the men and retrieved their luggage, the gang members reportedly gave them a $12 tip.

Firefighters later recognized the men in photographs published in True Detective Mysteries magazine and alerted Tucson police. Dillinger and his associates were arrested two days after the fire, making Tucson a notable part of the gangster’s history.

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PHOTOS: Patients at Driscoll Children’s Hospital got a special visit Tuesday afternoon as members of the Corpus Christi Fire Department joined an annual tradition aimed at bringing smiles to children receiving care.

From 2 to 4 p.m., firefighters visited with patients inside the hospital while, outside their windows, members of Driscoll’s window-washing team traded their normal work clothes for costumes.

This year, the window washers dressed as fighters as they worked their way along the outside of the hospital, giving children inside a chance to watch the action and interact with them through the windows.

The event continued a tradition at Driscoll in which window washers dress in costume to brighten the day for young patients.

In previous years, the hospital’s window-washing crews have dressed as superheroes, including Spider-Man, Batman, Captain America and Iron Man, waving and posing for children as they descended past hospital windows.

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Two California Highway Patrol officers were injured when a disabled vehicle exploded on the side of the 215 Freeway in Riverside County.

Video recorded by Homie News and shared with KTLA showed the officers responding to a call around 3:15 p.m. involving a 2007 Toyota Camry blocking lanes and being pushed by two males on the northbound side of the freeway just south of the 60 Freeway in the Moreno Valley area.

The Toyota had caught fire after being pushed to the right shoulder and exploded as the two CHP officers were inspecting the car to ensure no one else was inside, according to a CHP news release.

Video showed a massive fireball engulfing the officers, who quickly ran away. Fortunately, their uniforms did not catch fire, and the flames died out as they fled. Both officers sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

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Albert Lea Fire Rescue Capt. Kurt Wallace returned from a world firefighter competition with three medals and a new Minnesota state record.

The Firefighter World Championship was held Oct. 19 in Las Vegas and brought together athletes from more than 21 countries. Records show 381 medals were awarded across all divisions.

“The grueling nature of this competition directly mirrors real-life emergency scenarios,” said Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske. “Kurt’s success builds elite endurance and strength that translate directly to on-scene performance. Having him train alongside our crew sparks healthy competition, mentors our firefighters, and ensures our team is even better prepared to serve and protect the community.”

Wallace competed in the male 50-59 age division and secured top finishes across three major event categories.

The challenge included carrying a 42-pound hose pack up a five-story tower, hoisting a 42-pound hose roll, moving a 160-pound steel beam 5 feet with a mallet, dragging a hose line 75 feet and pulling a 175-pound rescue mannequin backward for 100 feet.

In the individual race, Wallace took second place with a time of 1:43.44. During qualifications, he set a new Minnesota state record with a time of 1:43.00.

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VIDEO: The Milwaukee Brewers released a statement on Saturday, expressing their gratitude to everyone who helped make Friday’s championship celebration and parade possible.

“Bringing a celebration of this magnitude to life required an incredible collective effort, and we could not be more grateful to everyone who played a part,” said Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger. “What we witnessed across Milwaukee was remarkable. So many people gave their time, expertise and energy to make this day possible, and the collaboration throughout reflected the pride, generosity and sense of community that define us.”

The Brewers added that they are especially grateful to the Milwaukee Police Department, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, as well as supporting police and fire agencies from surrounding jurisdictions, and the staff at Henry Maier Festival Park who helped make the celebration happen.

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PHOTOS: A Learjet believed to be carrying nine people crashed on Sunday afternoon in Palm Beach County, Florida, after making a rapid dive of about 350 feet per second, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The plane, a 22-year-old twin-engine Learjet 60, crashed after taking off from Austin, Texas, and was headed to North Eleuthera in the Bahamas, according to the FAA.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, the FAA said. Photos and videos online showed a jet hitting the ground nose-first and bursting into a fireball. The impact of the crash left a crater near a shopping center.

The jet crashed near Military Trail, between Cresthaven Boulevard and 10th Avenue, in the Greenacres community of Palm Beach County, authorities said. There was no immediate word from authorities on deaths and injuries.

The plane went from 35,250 feet to 8,750 feet in a little over a minute, or roughly 350 feet per second, before it slammed into the ground, according to the FAA.

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VIDEO: The St. Louis Fire Department will test drone technology to see how it could be incorporated into its operations. According to officials, the department will conduct a 30-day evaluation to determine how the technology can support emergency response efforts.

Officials hope to gain a better understanding of the technology’s capabilities, limitations and potential impact on decision-making. During the trial, the department will evaluate how aerial data could assist firefighters at various incidents, including fires, hazardous materials incidents and rescue operations.

St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said the aerial imagery provides vital real-time information to responding fire companies before they arrive at a scene. “Watch the drone go to the scene. Most of the times, the drone beats the firetrucks there,” Jenkerson said.

The department currently operates four drones, which are controlled by four pilots. Two drones are stationed at firehouse number 4, and two are located at Kennerly Avenue and Whittier Street.

Jenkerson said the heated and cooled automated units deploy across the city depending on the incident, including structure fires and responses along the river. “The information we have gotten from these drones prior to the companies arriving on the scene, it’s been more than we thought it would be,” Jenkerson said.

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A massive fire in the south suburbs ended with no reported deaths or injuries on Saturday. The fire broke out at a business and residential building near 127th Street and Western Avenue in Blue Island.

“All of a sudden, you just seen the fire and you just seen a whoosh, and [then] big flames just start shooting out of the top,” neighbor Sidney Brown said.

Brown and others said the brick building at the corner of Western Avenue and Union Street housed several businesses, including a locksmith and a pet groomer, with four apartments above. Much of the building is now destroyed.

“By the time the fire department came, that’s when it got really bad, and they couldn’t get to the dog,” neighbor Catrina Robinson said.Robinson said her friends were some of the residents. They were not inside, but their dog was in its cage.

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: Three people are dead after a crash involving two helicopters Thursday afternoon near the McMinnville Municipal Airport, causing the closure of all eastbound and westbound lanes on Highway 233 a mile west of Dayton.

Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott held a press conference Thursday night to go over initial details from the investigation. He said that around 2:15 p.m., two helicopters — a 1995 Robinson R22 and a 2018 Airbus H125 — crashed into each other midair above a farm field not far from the airport.

Elliott said the collision happened near Highway 233 and Southeast Cruickshank Road, southeast of McMinnville. The helicopters crashed down into a private farm field along the highway.

Three people were killed in the crash, Elliott said, two aboard the Robinson and one aboard the Airbus. Initial information from a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson had the number of occupants per aircraft swapped.

Killed in the Airbus, by Elliott’s account, was a 38-year-old pilot from Newberg, Tyler Delane Sturdevant. In the Robinson was a 22-year-old flight instructor from Texas, Maddie Aasbo. Also aboard was a 31-year-old student pilot from the United Kingdom who has not been identified. Elliott said they were still attempting family notifications through the British consulate, with help from the FBI.

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VIDEO: The Bath Township Fire Department has received a grant to help firefighters communicate better when they go inside a burning building.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded the department more than $30,000. The department is using the money to buy voice amplifiers that attach to firefighters’ breathing masks. Bath Township firefighter Ben Zeeb said talking during a rescue is extremely difficult.

“It’s just very chaotic, it’s very noisy and it’s very hard to communicate,” Zeeb said. Zeeb said smoke, noise, and masks can muffle their voices. If firefighters cannot hear each other over the flames and equipment, it can slow down a rescue and put crews at risk.

“If I get trapped or there’s a changing fire condition that I see that can’t get communicated to him, that could change the situation for both us inside and what operations are happening outside,” Zeeb said. Special voice amplifiers exist to help with that situation.

Bath Township Fire Chief Mark Koonter said the department does not have any of its own. “Not having that is like trying to talk to somebody over the radio and they’re talking through a window,” Koonter said.

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VIDEO: For more than three decades, William “Bill” Blenk was the person running toward danger, saving lives as a firefighter and training the next generation as an EMT instructor.

But 21 years ago, life flipped in an instant when he became the one who needed saving. He was 64 when a stroke took away his ability to do the simplest daily tasks.

“I could not talk. I could not write. I could not eat. I had to learn how to eat,” he said. His wife, Pat, said she still remembers the terrifying moment it started.

“He said, ‘Pat, Pat, something’s gravely wrong.’ I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ And then he had the weakness starting. And when we got to the hospital, he couldn’t talk,” she said.

Faced with a sudden silence, Pat found a way to bridge the gap. She wrote out the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper so her husband could spell out his thoughts one letter at a time.

Rather than putting their lives on pause, the couple made an intentional choice early on not to let a stroke write the rest of their story.

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VIDEO: A fire on Wednesday night caused serious damage to parts of a multi-family home in Hamlin with an attached auto repair shop. The Hamlin Fire Department says the flames broke out just before 7:20 p.m. at the corner of Walker Lake Ontario Road and Walker Road.

The fire seriously damaged the building’s second floor, and the first floor has water damage. Fire officials say no one was hurt and are still working to learn how the fire started. They say it’s unknown if anyone was home when the fire started.

Firefighters from Hilton, Brockport, and North Greece also responded. In a Facebook post, the Brockport Fire Department said its crew helped with cutting ventilation openings in the main roof, allowing another crew to access a lower secondary roof.

During those ventilation efforts, crews discovered that fire had extended to the back of the building Brockport FD said battling the fire was a challenge because of the building’s construction, including tongue-and-groove ceilings covered with plywood and walls made of multiple layers of paneling.

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VIDEO: Eric Jackson Jr. is just 19, but he’s already following in his father’s footsteps as a firefighter with the Pine Bluff Fire Department. If Junior has his way, he’ll eventually surpass his father, Eric Jackson Sr., in the profession they share.

“Thank you for letting me get this far and teaching me how to do it. And I’m still gonna be better than you eventually,” Junior said. His father welcomed the challenge with a laugh. “Oh, my goodness! He wants that challenge. We will see,” Senior said.

The friendly competition reflects a deeper connection between the two: a shared commitment to serving their community.

For Junior, the decision to become a firefighter began years before his first shift. Watching his father provide for their family and interact with people through his work helped inspire him to pursue the same path.

“It all started in high school,” Junior said. “I started seeing how he was providing for the family and what it brought to it, and also seeing how he interacted with other people on the job. So it made me want to do it even more.”

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