Latest news with #JasonMowbray
CBS News
15-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Maryland fire deaths drop 13% in 2024, report shows
Fire deaths in Maryland dropped by 13% in 2024, according to the Annual Maryland Fire Fatality Report. The report by the Maryland State Fire Marshal gives an overview of fire-related fatalities across the state. Maryland recorded 73 deaths from fires in 2024, a 13.1% decrease from the 84 deaths in 2023. The deaths occurred across 67 fatal fires statewide. Where did most fatal fires occur? Residential fires accounted for 79% of the fatalities, with most incidents occurring in a bedroom or living space. Baltimore City reported the highest number of fire deaths with 19 fatalities in 15 fires, the same total as 2023. Baltimore County followed with 13 deaths in 13 fires, up from 11 deaths in 2023. What were the leading causes of fatal fires in 2024? Smoking materials were the leading cause of fatal fires in 2024, attributed to a total of 10 fatal fires. Transportation-related incidents resulted in eight deaths. Seven of the fatal fires were caused by electrical malfunctions, and cooking-related incidents were attributed to five fatal fires. Calvert, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset and Talbot counties reported no fire deaths in 2024. Who was most at risk? Adults over 70 represented 37% of fire victims, while those aged 50 to 69 accounted for 31.5% of deaths. 60% of fatalities were men, and 40% were women. The winter months proved most dangerous, with 53% of deaths occurring during the season. Most fatal fires occurred between midnight and 8 a.m., when victims were most likely sleeping, according to the report. March was the month with the highest amount of fire fatalities The presence of smoke alarms According to the report, working smoke alarms were present in only 20 fatal fires. Nine fires occurred in homes with no alarms at all, while six additional fires involved smoke alarms that were present but not functioning. In 20 cases, investigators could not determine smoke alarm status, and 14 fires occurred in structures too damaged to assess alarm presence. "A functioning smoke alarm often marks the difference between life and death, providing early warning and critical time to escape," Acting State Fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in the report. In 2024, Maryland launched "Get Alarmed Maryland," an online portal allowing residents to request smoke alarms through the state fire marshal's office. The program includes a tracking system to collect data on installations and alarm performance. Mowbray says the data will be used to identify areas most in need of fire safety outreach.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- CBS News
2 Baltimore firefighters injured battling blaze in downtown
Two Baltimore City firefighters were injured while battling a fire Monday afternoon in downtown, according to fire officials. Crews responded to a building fire on West Saratoga Street near Park Avenue. The Baltimore Fire Department said one of the firefighters is in critical condition. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Chromebook social media challenge linked to fires Maryland's Fire Marshal is warning parents and residents about a social media challenge involving Chromebooks that has been linked to fires and property damage. As of May 5, Maryland fire officials have documented multiple cases of the "Chromebook Challenge." The challenge involves putting metallic items or pencils into the charging port of a device, which causes it to short-circuit, authorities warned. "You could be electrocuted, you could cause that lithium ion battery that's inside the computer to cause thermal runaway, and what that is is just a malfunction of the batter that leads to a pretty extensive fire, not only with the computer but any items nearby," said Master Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire. Some of the cases have also led to disciplinary action at Maryland schools. "We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts," Acting State Fire Marshall Jason Mowbray said. "It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices." Courthouse fire prompts push for updated buildings A fire at Baltimore's Mitchell Courthouse has sounded the alarm on the urgency for updated buildings. The courthouse was evacuated on May 6 because of an electrical fire on the fourth floor, according to the Baltimore City Sheriff's Office. No injuries were reported. According to Clerk Xavier Conaway, the fire interrupted the celebration and all court proceedings, including marriage ceremonies, hearings, and time-sensitive filings. Conway said the evacuation also emphasized the ongoing concerns about infrastructure in Baltimore's historic courthouses. "These kinds of disruptions come at a cost—not just in time and dollars, but in trust," Conaway said. "Whether someone is coming to court for protection, to record a property deed, or to get married, they deserve a safe, reliable public space."
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
Maryland Fire Marshall warns Chromebook social media challenge can lead to fires
The Maryland Fire Marshall alerted parents and community members to a social media challenge that has been linked to several recent fires and instances of property damage. According to the Fire Marshall's Office, students in the state have been participating in the "Chromebook Challenge" by putting electrically conductive objects into the charging ports of school-issued devices. The action can lead to sparks, smoke, and in some cases, fires. Officials said the "reckless behavior" has already led to several fires. As of May 5, officials have documented multiple cases of the "Chromebook Challenge." The action of putting metallic items or pencils into the charging port of a device can cause the device to short-circuit, officials said. Some of the cases have prompted an emergency response and led to disciplinary action at schools in Maryland. "We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts," Acting State Fire Marshall Jason Mowbray said. "It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices." Some Maryland schools echo warning about "Chromebook Challenge" Staff at Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) said they are aware of the dangerous challenge making the rounds on social media. In a statement, they reminded parents and students that intentionally damaging BCPS-issued devices violates student handbook policies. If the action leads to a fire, the district could seek legal action, officials said. They asked parents to talk with students about the importance of navigating the influence of social media. "Parents should also be aware, the impact of these social media trends extend beyond the schoolhouse," BCPS officials said. Harford County Public Schools shared a similar statement, urging parents to speak to their children about the risks of the social media challenge. Social media trends can lead to rise in performance crimes The rise in similar dangerous social media trends has increased cases of a phenomenon called performance crimes. In 2023, viral social media videos taught people how to exploit vulnerabilities in some models of Kia and Hyundai cars. CBS News Sacramento reported that Hyundai tried to work with TikTok and other social media platforms to remove the videos, but as new videos were uploaded, it brought more theft cases as teens sought to go viral.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
TikTok prank 'Chromebook Challenge' prompts warnings from schools after laptops are intentionally set on fire
Another dangerous TikTok challenge has prompted urgent warnings from school districts and law enforcement agencies nationwide, and led to a 15-year-old New Jersey student being charged with arson. The challenge, known as the "Chromebook Challenge," involves teens jamming objects like paper clips and pencils into the USB port of the laptop, causing them to short-circuit and, in some cases, catch fire. Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland said they have had up to 10 reported incidents, according to NBC Washington. "In addition to posing serious safety hazards, these actions can lead to costly repairs and disciplinary consequences," the district said in a statement. "We have seen a few incidents related to the Chromebook challenge in our district." The district said it has "informed our community about the risks." Other school districts have issued similar warnings. "This 'challenge' is reckless, dangerous, and has no place in our schools or homes,' the Scranton School District in Pennsylvania said in a Facebook post on Thursday. "There are reports from other districts who have had first-hand experiences with this trend which have led to evacuations and property damage. Let me be clear; we are taking this very seriously, and I am asking that parents/guardians work together to keep our students and our buildings safe." The Jefferson-Morgan School District in Pennsylvania said it has not had any incidents but wanted to make parents aware of the challenge "so we can work together to prevent it." "We ask for your support in talking with your child about the dangers of these types of social media challenges and the importance of using school technology responsibly," the district said in a Facebook post on Thursday. The district said students who participate in it will face disciplinary action "to the fullest extent outlined in our student handbook," which could include expulsion from school. In Oklahoma, Mid-Del Schools said the family of any student who participates in the challenge would be responsible for the $274 it costs to replace a damaged Chromebook. The student could also face "serious disciplinary consequences," the district said in a letter to the school community on Thursday. Hardin Junior High in Texas wrote on Facebook: "Please speak to your student(s) about this potential safety hazard and possible damage to HISD property. There are heavy consequences for any student attempting this. Families will incur costs for damages. The district can also seek possible legal action." Law enforcement agencies across the nation have also warned parents of the dangers of the challenge. "We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts," Maryland's acting state fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in a statement. Authorities have documented multiple incidents that prompted emergency evacuations and disciplinary actions at schools across the state. "It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices," Mowbray said. Disciplinary and criminal investigations are currently underway at two Arizona schools. Bullhead City Middle School was briefly evacuated Thursday after a Chromebook started smoking and burning internally during class. The Bullhead City School District said in a Facebook post that the fire department and police "collected evidence" that shows the incident was connected to the TikTok challenge. The laptop was destroyed, and the desk it was sitting on was heavily damaged, the district said. The classroom where it happened could not be used for several hours because of the smell of burned metal and plastic. Six other Chromebooks were vandalized at Fox Creek Junior High School, according to the district. The students involved face possible disciplinary action and criminal charges, the Facebook post states. In New Jersey, a 15-year-old Belleville High School student was charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief after allegedly setting a Chromebook on fire, reported. The incident prompted an evacuation of the school. The warnings come days after teenagers in Virginia said they were recording a ding-dong ditch prank for a TikTok video when a homeowner opened fire, killing an 18-year-old boy. This article was originally published on
NBC News
09-05-2025
- NBC News
TikTok prank 'Chromebook Challenge' prompts warnings from schools after laptops are intentionally set on fire
Another dangerous TikTok challenge has prompted urgent warnings from school districts and law enforcement agencies nationwide, and led to a 15-year-old New Jersey student being charged with arson. The challenge, known as the "Chromebook Challenge," involves teens jamming objects like paper clips and pencils into the USB port of the laptop, causing them to short-circuit and, in some cases, catch fire. Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland said they have had up to 10 reported incidents, according to NBC Washington. "In addition to posing serious safety hazards, these actions can lead to costly repairs and disciplinary consequences," the district said in a statement. "We have seen a few incidents related to the Chromebook challenge in our district." The district said it has "informed our community about the risks." Other school districts have issued similar warnings. "This 'challenge' is reckless, dangerous, and has no place in our schools or homes,' the Scranton School District in Pennsylvania said in a Facebook post on Thursday. "There are reports from other districts who have had first-hand experiences with this trend which have led to evacuations and property damage. Let me be clear; we are taking this very seriously, and I am asking that parents/guardians work together to keep our students and our buildings safe." The Jefferson-Morgan School District in Pennsylvania said it has not had any incidents but wanted to make parents aware of the challenge "so we can work together to prevent it." "We ask for your support in talking with your child about the dangers of these types of social media challenges and the importance of using school technology responsibly," the district said in a Facebook post on Thursday. The district said students who participate in it will face disciplinary action "to the fullest extent outlined in our student handbook," which could include expulsion from school. In Oklahoma, Mid-Del Schools said the family of any student who participates in the challenge would be responsible for the $274 it costs to replace a damaged Chromebook. The student could also face "serious disciplinary consequences," the district said in a letter to the school community on Thursday. Hardin Junior High in Texas wrote on Facebook: "Please speak to your student(s) about this potential safety hazard and possible damage to HISD property. There are heavy consequences for any student attempting this. Families will incur costs for damages. The district can also seek possible legal action." Law enforcement agencies across the nation have also warned parents of the dangers of the challenge. "We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts," Maryland's acting state fire Marshal Jason Mowbray said in a statement. Authorities have documented multiple incidents that prompted emergency evacuations and disciplinary actions at schools across the state. "It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices," Mowbray said. Disciplinary and criminal investigations are currently underway at two Arizona schools. Bullhead City Middle School was briefly evacuated Thursday after a Chromebook started smoking and burning internally during class. The Bullhead City School District said in a Facebook post that the fire department and police "collected evidence" that shows the incident was connected to the TikTok challenge. The laptop was destroyed, and the desk it was sitting on was heavily damaged, the district said. The classroom where it happened could not be used for several hours because of the smell of burned metal and plastic. Six other Chromebooks were vandalized at Fox Creek Junior High School, according to the district. The students involved face possible disciplinary action and criminal charges, the Facebook post states. In New Jersey, a 15-year-old Belleville High School student was charged with third-degree arson and criminal mischief after allegedly setting a Chromebook on fire, reported. The incident prompted an evacuation of the school. The warnings come days after teenagers in Virginia said they were recording a ding-dong ditch prank for a TikTok video when a homeowner opened fire, killing an 18-year-old boy.
