Latest news with #OfficeoftheStateFireMarshal
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘Explosion' reported during fire at Hamer Pellet plant in Elkins
ELKINS, (WBOY) — Fire departments from several counties responded after a fire broke out in the Elkins Industrial Park on Wednesday. The fire was reported just before 4 p.m. at Hamer Pellet Fuel Co. plant. First responders said that there was heavy smoke when they arrived, and additional agencies were called to assist, according to a press release from the City of Elkins. No injuries or entrapments were reported from the fire, but the city said that an EMS unit did report an explosion during firefighting operations. The fire was extinguished before 8 p.m., the release said. Harrison County house catches fire for second time this year Preliminary investigation suggests that the cause of the fire was electrical, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal is leading an official investigation. Fire departments from Elkins, Beverly, Belington, Buckhannon and Coalton assisted in fighting the fire and engine transfer, and the Elkins Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Randolph County Emergency Squad and West Virginia State Police provided additional support, the release said. In a Facebook post, the city thanked the first responders from other communities who helped during the fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaii gets first state fire marshal in 46 years
An Army combat veteran with high-level fire safety job experience in Arizona is Hawaii's new state fire marshal. A state council has appointed Dori Booth to the position leading an office resurrected by state lawmakers in 2024 in response to the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfire disaster, which killed 102 people and destroyed most of Lahaina. Gov. Josh Green announced Booth's selection Monday and said it marks a historic return to a centralized approach to statewide fire protection in Hawaii. 'Dori Booth steps into this role at a moment of incredible urgency—and with a mission that's nothing short of transformative, ' Green said in a statement. 'We are rebuilding an entire fire safety infrastructure at the state level, and Dori is at the center of it.' Hawaii's Legislature abolished a prior Office of the State Fire Marshal in 1979, leaving counties to largely handle fire safety for the last 46 years. Hawaii also had been the only state without a state fire marshal. The Legislature passed a bill in 2024 that reestablished the office led by a fire marshal but appropriated only $172, 000 for the entire operation. In January an advisory team formed by Green in May 2024 to come up with plans to reduce and respond to future natural disasters in Hawaii recommended that a 'properly-funded ' state fire marshal office be established with a minimum $2 million annual budget. A separate January report by the Fire Safety Research Institute initiated by the state Department of the Attorney General said staffing up the fire marshal office was No. 2 on a list of 10 priorities to improve fire safety in Hawaii. Another report produced in November by the State Fire Council, which largely represents four county fire department chiefs, put the cost for a fully staffed state fire marshal office with 42 personnel at $4.4 million to $6.4 million. The council also proposed half-staffed and quarter-staffed office models, with the latter costing $1.7 million to $2.5 million. On April 30 the Legislature passed House Bill 1064 to appropriate $2.2 million in each of the next two fiscal years to pay for eight staff positions, equipment and other expenses for the office, including $206, 352 for the fire marshal, $189, 804 for a deputy and $400, 000 for five fire inspectors and investigators during the fiscal year that begins July 1. Green said Booth will need to navigate a 'complex division of responsibilities ' between the counties and the state in addition to setting up a new operational structure and immediately implementing top-priority reforms to protect communities. 'It may sound like bureaucracy—but the goal is simple : save lives, protect property and keep Hawaii safe, ' the governor said. Booth most recently was fire marshal for a district in Arizona that includes the town of Sedona, and prior to that was deputy fire marshal with the Phoenix Fire Department. Hawaii's new fire marshal has a master's degree in public safety leadership administration from Arizona State University. Booth also is an Army veteran who deployed to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, specialized in civil-military operations and infrastructure stability, and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge. Booth said in a statement that it is an honor to take on the new position at such a critical time for Hawaii and that she is committed to working with community members, first responders and county, state and federal partners to build a fire protection system reflecting the strength and resilience of Hawaii's people. 'The lessons from the Maui wildfires are still fresh, and our responsibility is clear : We must do everything in our power to prevent future tragedies, ' Booth said. 'That means stronger coordination, smarter planning, and a relentless focus on community safety. 'And when wildfires or other disasters cannot be prevented, we must be resilient—to protect Hawaii's most precious resources : its people, history, culture and places of deep significance.' Booth was appointed to a five-year term as Hawaii fire marshal by the State Fire Council under the 2024 law. Earlier this year the Legislature amended the law to attach the fire marshal office to the state Department of Law Enforcement instead of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Another amendment made this year to the fire marshal law will establish a fire marshal selection commission starting Jan. 1, with powers that include evaluating, appointing and removing Hawaii fire marshals. The seven-member commission also is expected to receive public input and hold public meetings.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fire marshal: Matunuck Oyster Bar fire appears accidental
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — The Office of the State Fire Marshal continues to investigate what caused a popular restaurant to go up in flames. Matunuck Oyster Bar on Succotash Road in South Kingstown was heavily damaged after it caught fire early Tuesday morning. Officials haven't said whether the building is a total loss, but indicated that's a possibility. 'Like a bad dream': Rhode Islanders distraught by fire at beloved oyster bar The exact cause of the fire is still unknown, but the fire marshal's office said that at this point, it appears to be accidental in nature. 'Based on information collected to date by inspectors, several possible causes have been ruled out including commercial cooking equipment being a direct cause of the fire,' the agency wrote in a press release Thursday. The fire marshal's office said steps have been taken to preserve the fire scene and make sure it's safe for investigators, as well as prevent nearby waterways from getting contaminated. Matunuck Oyster Bar has been around since 2009 and employs more than 300 full-time and seasonal workers. Staff members and patrons alike have said it's far more than just a restaurant and were devastated to see the damage from the fire. Multiple fundraisers have been started to help the business and all of its employees recover, including a GoFundMe and a campaign though the RI Hospitality Association. 'They need us': Fundraisers launched for Matunuck Oyster Bar Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
100K pounds of illegal fireworks seized from business in L.A. County
Officials with Cal Fire's Office of the State Fire Marshal announced the seizure of more than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks from a business in Los Angeles County. Details are limited, but in a news release Cal Fire said investigators responded to reports that a current fireworks importer and exporter in Commerce was not following 'laws and regulations required by their license.' Preliminary reports suggest fire officials were conducting the operation around South Malt Avenue and Telegraph Road, a primarily industrial area, though the exact location, nor the name of the business has been confirmed. In photos of the seizure released by Cal Fire, both police and fire officials can be seen in what appears to be a warehouse-style location where dozens of wooden pallets are stacked with hundreds of boxes of the illegal fireworks. Officials said that more than $4 million worth of property damage and loss has been caused from fires started by fireworks since the beginning of 2025. Arrests made in alleged L.A. Armenian crime syndicate engaged in violent feud The release stressed the state's zero tolerance stance on the sale of illegal fireworks that include: Sky rockets Bottle rockets Roman candles Aerial shells Firecrackers or other fireworks that go into the air or move uncontrollably on the ground 'As we approach the 4th of July and a typical increase in usage of illegal fireworks, this seizure should be a reminder of our zero tolerance to illegal fireworks in California,' California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said. Anyone with information about this investigation is encouraged to contact Cal Fire's Arson and Bomb Unit at arsonbomb@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
21-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
‘We're all in mourning': After fire guts beloved Matunuck Oyster Bar, Rhode Islanders pledge to help
On Tuesday morning, Rhode Islanders woke up to the news that 'We're all in mourning, really,' said Related : Advertisement The cause of the fire is undetermined, and the Office of the State Fire Marshal is still investigating, spokesman Matthew Touchette said. While the restaurant was still standing after the fire was put out, officials said it 'may be a total loss.' 'We may have just lost an institution,' said Rajab, who said the association is looking to draw up a plan to assist Matunuck's employees. Advertisement Firefighters responded to the blaze at Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, R.I., before 4 a.m. on Tuesday. Union Fire District of South Kingstown, R.I. In 2002, Owner Perry Raso founded Matunuck Oyster Farm, a wading depth aquaculture farm on Potter Pond, a saltwater pond. By 2008, he was selling oysters from his farm across the country. In an attempt to ensure the future of the farm, he acquired a rundown restaurant on the pond that had some commercial docks that would provide easy access for his work boats. The following year, in 2009, he reopened the restaurant as Matunuck Oyster Bar. Since then, it's become Some call Raso a pioneer for bringing aquaculture education to the public in southern New England, and he has been featured in 'He's always in his dungarees and T-shirt,' Reed said. 'If you didn't know, you'd think he was the busboy, not the owner of this wonderful restaurant.' Matunuck Oyster Bar's owner Perry Raso wades in the water to harvest oysters in Potter Pond in South Kingstown, R.I. Matunuck Oyster Ba Perry Raso shows off oysters to a crowd on the barge at the oyster farm on Potter Pond. Matunuck Oyster Bar In 2023, Raso and his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island, embarked on another project, and 'Perry Raso is the hardest working man in the state, and has been for a long time,' said Mitch Mauricio, the executive chef of the When members of Congress visited Rhode Island last year, Congressman Seth Magaziner did not hesitate when it came to dinner plans, and 'knew right away where to take them,' he said. That night, photos show Magaziner and a group of lawmakers, including Advertisement 'This is a guy who graduated from URI, and just wanted to be an oyster farmer. And then added a tiny little restaurant and thought it would be another way for him to sell his oysters,' said David Dadekian, the chairman of the board of In a statement on Tuesday night, Raso said he was humbled by what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people. 'While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible,' Raso said. Raso started digging littlenecks in Point Judith Pond when he was 12, and grew up harvesting shellfish, eel, bull-raking clams, and scuba diving for steamers. Matunuck Oyster Bar's boat heads out into Potter Pond in South Kingstown, R.I., to harvest oysters. Matunuck Oyster Bar Perry Raso shucks oysters at the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Mike Leptew Over the years since it's opening, Matunuck made additions: a second floor, a patio, and outdoor seating. It's also become the number one restaurant destination in South County, according to Louise Bishop, the president and chief executive officer of the South County Tourism Council. Each year, the restaurant and farm now employ more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees. For some locals, it's the place to go after the beach to munch on lobster rolls and watch a setting sun while sitting on the patio. Advertisement 'Can't even count how many times I've been,' For others, it's a special occasion spot for celebrations. Matunuck was the location of the first date Caitlyn Gemma had with her now husband. They married in 2023. 'He fell in love with Rhode Island and we live here now,' she said. Magaziner went to Matunuck to celebrate his 40th birthday with his young family. 'It's been our go-to date spot every July 4th for the last six years,' said Jonathan Kirk, the former owner of the now-shuttered Liz Colleran and her husband hosted a special dinner at Matunuck after they were married. When they moved to Indiana, they continued to purchase Matunuck's oysters. To most who have been, it's more than just a restaurant. It's famously 'set a new standard for dining,' said Dadekian. The lobster pizza from Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown, R.I. Matunuck Oyster Bar 'His aquaculture work has redefined our relationship with the ocean, sharing the regenerative work of farming shellfish as they clean our waters while nourishing communities,' said Felicia Neuhof, 'There aren't many Rhode Island treasures, and that's one of them,' Advertisement 'Summer dinners, dockside laughs, fresh oysters with a view... Praying they're able to rebuild,' wrote Kiel James Patrick, who designs quintessential New England clothing and accessories under Over the years, Raso has also been known to give back, 'I guess it's our turn to be out there for him in every way that we can be at this point because he's always been there for us,' Bishop said. While he could not be reached for an interview, Raso said in his statement that he has heard from patrons from Rhode Island and beyond, who have 'reached out... with selfless offers to help.' Raso 'is a decent, decent man. I'm saddened by this,' said Reed, who said he texted Raso as soon as he heard the news of the fire on Tuesday morning. 'If he calls, we'll be there,' added Reed. 'If he needs someone to come down and shovel some of the cinders away, I can do that.' Alexa Gagosz can be reached at
