VIDEO: A retired firefighter is riding across country to honor the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

John Martin, who was an engineer with the San Bernadino County Fire Department in California, is riding to honor victims every mile of his route leaving a dog tag with victims’ names on them.

He stopped by the Columbiana Fire Department Monday morning as part of his route.

He rides 9.11 miles a day, with his route ending at ground zero on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

“That’s something that this world, especially this country, since it happened on our soil, should never forget,” Martin said. “It’s not just words that should be taken to heart. Never forget means never forgetting.”

Martin said he is looking forward to arriving at ground zero. He expects it to be an emotional day.

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VIDEO: Orange County firefighters were busy battling a large fire at a commercial building in Santa Ana on Tuesday night.

The blaze was first reported at around 6:10 p.m. at a building in the 3200 block of MacArthur Boulevard, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

Crews arrived to find the single-story industrial building engulfed in large flames with a massive cloud of black smoke coming from the fire.

They said that approximately 80 firefighters were on scene to battle the blaze, which they deemed a third-alarm incident.

At around 8:10 p.m., OCFA officials told CBS LA that the fire was still burning and that it would be for “some time.”

No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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A large fire tore through a business in West Norriton Township, Montgomery County, on Monday morning, sending massive flames and thick black smoke into the air and prompting a massive emergency response.

The blaze broke out shortly after 11 a.m. at Superior Play Systems, a facility on Industry Lane that manufactures outdoor play equipment.

Cell phone video captured part of the building collapsing as intense flames quickly overtook the structure.

Firefighters said conditions deteriorated rapidly as crews arrived on scene.

“We pulled everyone back, which turned into a master stream operation at this location because the building was too unsafe to actually enter,” Chief Kenny Kanauer of Jefferson Fire Co. #1 said.

Video from Chopper 6 showed flames and black smoke rising high above the building.

Officials said 130 trucks from approximately 100 fire companies across the region responded to the scene, underscoring the scale of the fire.

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VIDEO: A fire engine — not a Ferrari — may have delivered the most unexpected moment of the weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Video shared with KSBW 8 by Riley Tessler showed a Salinas Fire engine drifting on the famed track during the weekend.

The unusual scene stood out at a raceway best known for high-speed sports car competition and gave fans a memorable moment beyond the scheduled racing action.

The driver was identified as Kevin Coon, and the tillerman was Hayden Parker, per Salinas Fire.

The drifting fire engine appeared during a weekend when Laguna Seca was hosting Ferrari Challenge North America, the main featured event from June 19 through June 21.

The event included qualifying sessions and races for Ferrari Challenge drivers, along with Club Competizioni GT activities and Passione Ferrari owners lapping on the circuit.

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A massive fire at a recycling facility in Houston’s East End was still burning Tuesday morning after breaking out Monday afternoon.

Tires and other debris continue to burn.

The fire was reported around 3 p.m. Monday near Kellogg and Manchester streets, according to the Houston Fire Department. Thick black smoke from the blaze was visible for miles across Houston.

Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz said the fire was burning in a debris field roughly the size of a football field behind a warehouse at a recycling facility. No structures have caught fire.

Approximately 200 firefighters were called to the scene to contain the blaze. Muñoz said tires were the primary material burning, and the rubber made the fire especially difficult to extinguish.

“This is a very difficult fire,” Muñoz said.

Video from Air 11 showed the massive burn area stretching across the property, while video released by HFD showed firefighters working inside the debris field to knock down the flames.

Fire officials said flames reached an estimated 35 feet in height.

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: Around 30 people have been displaced after a fire at an apartment complex on Lake Road in Clarkson on Sunday morning that involved 21 units.

The Brockport Fire District says it took 14 fire companies from Monroe, Orleans, and Genesee counties to battle the flames. Crews got the first call just before 5 a.m.

Several Monroe ambulance services were on the scene, and the fire district says four people were treated and later released.

No firefighters were injured, and BFD says one person was rescued and carried out by firefighters. The fire destroyed the roof of the building, and the base of the building is now fenced off.

The displaced victims were brought to BFD’s station across the street, and the American Red Cross is helping them. Two cats and an iguana were also rescued by firefighters, according to BFD.

The fire district says the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Monroe County Fire Bureau’s Investigation Unit.

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VIDEO: Nineteen years ago, on June 18, 2007, nine Charleston firefighters died battling the Sofa Super Store fire in West Ashley.

Every year, the city gathers on the anniversary to honor the Charleston 9 and the legacy they left behind.

The firefighters remembered are Brandon Thompson, Engineer Bradford “Brad” Baity, Captain Louis Mulkey, Engineer Mark Kelsey, Captain Mike Benke, Captain William Hutchinson, Melvin Champaign, Assistant Engineer Michael “Mikey” French, and James “Earl” Drayton.

Charleston Fire Chief Dan Curia said the loss continues to shape the department and the community.

“The sacrifice that our nine firefighters made is immeasurable,” Curia said, “and we can never repay them for the trajectory they placed this fire department on.”

During the memorial, nine rings of a bell echo as the names of each firefighter are read. Curia said the sound carries meaning across the fire service. “Every firefighter in America knows what it means when that bell tolls.”

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VIDEO: At least one person was killed after a massive fire tore through a resort in the Dominican Republic on Friday.

It occurred at the Wyndham Dominicus Beach hotel in Bayahíbe, located a little more than 40 miles west of Punta Cana in the country’s La Altagracia Province.

According to media reports, the person who perished in the fire was a 46-year-old Italian tourist who allegedly died due to smoke inhalation. At least a dozen other people were injured.

Local authorities said that a total of 1,690 guests had to be evacuated from the beachside resort hotel.

They were all relocated to other area hotels or given other lodging arrangements, the Emergency Operations Center of the Dominican Republic stated.

Wyndham’s other property in Bayahibe was not damaged.

The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.

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A massive fire broke out at a warehouse near Boyle Heights. SkyFOX was over the scene at the Lineage freight building in the 1400 block of South Los Palos Street in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 17.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the solar panels on the roof caught on fire, with the flames extending to various parts of the warehouse.

A shelter-in-place order was declared for nearby residents for hours before officials eventually lifted the mandate. Prior to the order being lifted, those living in areas south of the 101 Freeway near Washington Boulevard to east of Soto Street to Indiana Street were told to stay inside.

FOX 11’s crew at the scene reports a suspected ammonia leak at the warehouse. LAFD confirmed the fire reached the ammonia line at the building, and added the ammonia exposure would not necessarily be toxic, but may be worth monitoring for individuals nearby the scene with respiratory issues.

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PHOTOS: An SUV slammed into a fire station in downtown Wauconda early Tuesday morning, causing $100,000 in damage as firefighters slept inside, just a day after a fire station in Round Lake was hit by a car. The incident happened just after midnight early Tuesday morning at Wauconda Fire District Station #1, located at 109 West Liberty Street in Wauconda.

Wauconda Fire Marshal and Division Chief Mike DaValle said a vehicle was traveling northbound on Route 59 when it left the roadway.

The SUV crossed the grassy area, traversed Route 176 and struck the front of the fire station. The impact occurred in the administrative office area of the building, DaValle said.

Fire district personnel were sleeping in other areas of the station at the time of the crash and were not near the point of impact.

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Seven adults were forced from their homes Wednesday night after a fire damaged multiple townhome units in Virginia Beach, according to the Virginia Beach Fire Department.

The fire was reported around 8:40 p.m. in the 2300 block of Rookery Way.

According to the fire department, crews arrived within minutes and found heavy smoke and flames coming from two connected three-story units.

Firefighters worked quickly to get the fire under control, putting water on the flames by about 8:56 p.m. The fire was declared under control just before 10 p.m., though crews remained on scene afterward.

The Virginia Beach Fire Department said four units were affected by the fire.

Seven adults were displaced, along with three dogs and one cat. The American Red Cross was called in to help those residents find temporary housing. Officials said one civilian was evaluated for a minor injury, while one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

No other injuries to residents, firefighters or pets were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to the Virginia Beach Fire Department.

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A private plane crashed late Tuesday onto a highway in Laredo, Texas, killing one of the six people on board and sending the others to the hospital, police said.

The Laredo Police Department did not immediately release details about the person who was killed, saying they were waiting until the person’s family was notified.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected by the recent private jet crash,” Mayor Victor Trevino said in a statement.

Private aviation company NetJets said in a statement, “We are aware of an event involving a NetJets aircraft in Laredo, Texas, and are working with authorities.”

Based on FlightRadar24 tracking data, the plane was a Cessna Citation Latitude with the registration N523QS.

The plane had taken off from Mexico’s San Jose del Cabo on Tuesday evening and was bound for Austin, Texas, according to the tracking data. It diverted to Laredo. The flight track ends over Laredo’s Bob Bullock Loop, which is Texas State Highway Loop 20.

Police said they received a call at about 10 p.m. local time. Part of the plane remained on the road early on Wednesday, Investigator Joe Baeza told reporters during a press conference. He added that there was also jet fuel on the road, which would require a clean-up.

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VIDEO: Beaver Lake will look a little more like the high seas as pirates take over the water for a good cause.

Each year, the Grassy Knob Fire Department hosts the Beaver Lake Pirate Poker Run, a pirate-themed fundraiser that swaps motorcycles for boats. Instead of riding from stop to stop on the road, participants decorate their boats, dress up as pirates and make their way around Beaver Lake collecting cards.

“The Beaver Lake Pirate Poker Run is the only boat poker run on Beaver Lake,” said Sharlene Kenyon, president of the Grassy Knob Auxiliary and chairperson of the event.

“Most poker runs are motorcycles, and you go from place to place, and you collect your cards. Well, here you go from place to place, but you’re in your boat and you’re on the lake.”

The event includes seven stops around Beaver Lake, including marinas and other local sponsors. Participants can play as many hands as they want, with prizes for the best poker hands, the best pirate boat and the best pirate crew.

There is even a prize for the worst hand. “We also have a prize, a good prize, $400 for the low hand or the worst hand that you can get,” Kenyon said. When asked if that means even the losers are winners, Kenyon laughed. “Even the losers are winners, and you can make some money off being a loser,” she said.

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A barn fire at Saratoga Casino Hotel destroyed a backstretch stable, killing nearly 20 horses, canceling live harness racing, officials said.

Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department said the fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16 in a barn at the backstretch of the harness racetrack at 25 Nelson Ave. The barn was completely destroyed.

In a press release received by the NewsChannel 13 newsroom around 2:30 p.m., the Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Saratoga Harness Horseperson’s Association said 17 horses died in the fire. One horse escaped the fire and was mildly injured.

Eleven of the horses that died belonged to trainer Robyn Mangiardi, the other six belonged to trainer Timothy Benson, according to the afternoon release.

No people were hurt, according to the casino hotel and fire department. Officials said members of the Saratoga Casino Hotel security team rescued several horses before the fire grew too large to manage.

The Saratoga Springs Fire Department said when crews arrived at the scene they found an advanced fire condition. They said they worked to put the fire out while also trying to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby barns and structures.

The fire department said firefighters, law enforcement, staff and other people at the scene worked to remove animals from nearby structures but were unable to prevent the deaths of some. They said they were assisted by agencies across Saratoga County.

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PHOTOS: One person was killed and four others were injured Monday morning following an explosion and fire at a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue logistics facility, officials confirmed to Local 10 News.

The facility used to fuel Miami-Dade Fire Rescue vehicles and give them maintenance is located at 6100 SW 87th Ave., just south of Snapper Creek. “It shook the whole neighborhood,” Stephanie Galvez, who lives nearby, said.

“All of a sudden, there was a loud boom from like behind the house and the house, for a moment, felt like it was shaking and we had no idea what was going on.”

Sky 10 was above the scene at 10:40 a.m. as there appeared to be heavy damage to a fuel pump. According to Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, an explosion appeared to have caused a fire at the facility.

Officials said one person was killed and four others were injured, including an MDSO lieutenant. According to the sheriff, the lieutenant and another person were transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital and a third victim was transported to another hospital.

Police said a fourth victim drove themself to a nearby hospital. One of the victims is in critical condition, but all of the victims are stable, according to MDSO.

Miami-Dade Fire Chief Ray Jadallah, meanwhile, confirmed that after the explosion, crews found an overhang that was destroyed and an active fire coming from underground.

He said there was vapor coming from below ground and they are still investigating whether it might have been from a gasoline vault.

“From what we see, it may have been a gasoline cell that’s underground,” Jadallah said. “There’s three vaults underground. I believe there may have been some work that was being conducted, but we’re conducting that investigation.”

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The Chicago Fire Department has placed one of the largest emergency apparatus orders in North America, selecting E-ONE and Wheeled Coach to supply 120 new vehicles in a deal valued at more than $100 million.

The order, placed through Fire Service, Inc., includes 42 E-ONE pumpers, 38 E-ONE aerial ladder trucks and 40 Wheeled Coach ambulances.

The investment is intended to support firefighter safety, fleet modernisation and reliable emergency response across the city.

“We are honored to partner with the Chicago Fire Department and Fire Service, Inc. on this landmark order,” said Mike Virnig, president of Terex Specialty Vehicles. “Providing 120 custom apparatus underscores our shared commitment to innovation, safety and reliability — ensuring Chicago’s firefighters and paramedics have the tools they need to protect their communities.”

E-ONE and Wheeled Coach are both part of the Terex Specialty Vehicles segment. The new apparatus will be designed for durability, advanced safety systems and improved operational performance across fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical response.

“Fire Service, Inc. is proud to support the Chicago Fire Department in this significant investment in public safety,” said Shawn Junker, president of Fire Service, Inc. “These vehicles are built to meet the demands of one of the busiest departments in the nation, with an emphasis on dependability and performance.”

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Multiple townhomes were damaged on Monday in a massive fire at a complex in Raleigh. Sky 5 flew over the scene on Maplecroft Court in Raleigh, off of TW Alexander Drive, and saw several homes on fire.

According to the Raleigh Fire Department, firefighters were called around 4:15 p.m. More than 65 firefighters from the Raleigh and Durham fire departments responded to the fire.

Firefighters told WRAL News that no one was injured in the fire and no one was home, adding that one cat was rescued. A neighbor, named Larry, shared a video with WRAL News moments after the fire started.

“What I saw first was the siding of the unit just melting away,” he said. Assistant Chief of the Raleigh Fire Department Stephen Corker said the fire took an hour and a half to get under control.

He said the biggest challenge was the ongoing drought. “It is dry, and that allows ground vegetation to catch fire easily. And with the high temperatures, it uses a lot of manpower to rotate crews through. Keep them fresh,” he said.

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PHOTOS: Chaos erupted overnight on Sunday as rowdy fans celebrated the New York Knicks’ championship victory, leading to several school buses set on fire, a teen shot, dozens of people arrested and at least 10 members of the NYPD injured.

Video captured flames erupting from a school bus that was lit on fire on 42nd Street near Eighth Avenue by the Port Authority Bus Terminal. NYPD officials say a total of five school buses were lit on fire, or destroyed with bats and people jumping on them.

The school buses were being used to transport people from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup games.

There was also one shooting at 43rd Street and Broadway, where a 17-year-old boy was shot once in the foot during celebrations.

He was taken to the hospital by the NYPD because an ambulance could not access 43rd Street as crowds completely took it over. A firearm was recovered on the scene, and three people of interest are in custody. No charges have been filed so far.

Police say there were also four slashings or stabbings that took place overnight. Amid the chaos, multiple other personal vehicles were destroyed, people lit fireworks in large crowds, climbed on top of light poles, traffic lights, structures and scaffolding and large fights broke out.

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America The Beautiful Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to renewing the beauty, strength, and promise of America, announced a grant to public safety technology provider Intterra to expand its Aware platform nationwide as AwareUS, delivering trusted, real-time emergency information, at no cost, to communities across all U.S. states and territories.

‍The grant, awarded through the Foundation’s SAFE (Safeguarding Communities, Forests & Ecosystems) program, will fund an authoritative national public safety information platform directly connected to state, local, tribal, territorial, and federal public safety agencies, ensuring that when disaster strikes, Americans hear directly from the agencies protecting them, not from rumor or speculation.

‍“America The Beautiful Foundation is focused on solutions that strengthen communities and help protect lives, landscapes, and public trust,” said Dr. Emily Weeks, Executive Director of America The Beautiful Foundation. “Every American deserves access to clear, timely, and authoritative public safety information. The public should not have to piece together life-safety information from rumors, social media, scanner traffic, or secondhand sources. The authoritative voice belongs with public safety agencies, and this platform is being built to ensure consistent and accurate information is provided to the public.”

The grant reflects the Foundation’s commitment to safeguarding the people and places that make America beautiful. Through its SAFE program, the Foundation is advancing wildfire prevention, AI-enabled early detection, predictive analytics, and emergency response systems, working hand-in-hand with frontline fire agencies and land managers across the country to protect American lives, communities, and natural landscapes.

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VIDEO/PHOTOS: The Searsmont Fire Department has a new fire engine after one of their engines burned in the fire and explosion at the Robbins Lumber mill last month.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office said three fire departments lost vehicles during the fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. The Searsmont, Belmont and Appleton fire departments sustained damage to their fire apparatus during the incident.

On Friday, June 12, the North Thompsonville Fire Department (NTFD) in Connecticut announced it had donated one of its fire engines (E42) to the Searsmont Fire Department.

“As firefighters, we understand the critical role every piece of equipment plays in protecting our communities and supporting our members on the fireground. When we learned of their loss, we knew we had an opportunity to help. It is our honor to place this engine into service where it can continue protecting lives and property while assisting Searsmont in rebuilding their fleet. The fire service is built on brotherhood, sisterhood, and mutual aid,” the NTFD wrote on Facebook.

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