Latest news with #firemarshal
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: As July 4th approaches, Orange County preserve requires fire-preventing action
To the editor: The Randall Preserve is a decidedly mixed blessing to the community ('After 27 years fighting to change oil field into massive Orange County nature preserve, initial plans released,' May 23). The birds and four-legged neighbors are welcome, but the many illegal campers constitute a serious threat of wildfires. The overlapping jurisdictions of city, county and fire district complicate responsibility for public safety. Further, the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority that now holds title to the property does not yet have control over it because Aera Energy, the oil company responsible for cleanup of the property, still controls it. Aera Energy is not evicting trespassers nor even stopping camping. The California fire marshal has now designated the area of the Randall Preserve, and the adjacent homes and businesses, a moderate fire risk. We anticipate increased homeowners' insurance costs. Within the past couple of weeks, a wildfire started on the Randall Preserve and spread to Orange County's Talbert Park area before it was put out. Fortunately, there was no wind to spread it to our homes. We are acutely aware that July 4th is just weeks away and that fireworks, as well as campfires, can trigger wildfires. I urge all parties, especially Aera Energy, to eject the campers and keep trespassers out before we suffer a real tragedy. Kenneth Smith, Costa Mesa This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Balcony fire broke out at West Hartford apartment
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — All residents safely returned to their units after an apartment fire was rapidly contained Saturday night in West Hartford. Firefighters responded to the Bishops Place Apartments on 2432 Albany Avenue just before 9:00 p.m. after a neighbor reported seeing flames coming from a third-story window. At the scene, officials encountered an active fire coming from a third-floor balcony. It took firefighters 13 minutes to contain the flames, confining the damage to the exterior of the building. No injuries were reported, and all residents returned to their unit. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire marshal's office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
17-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Multiple fire crews called to two separate fires in McKeesport overnight
It was a busy night for firefighters in McKeesport as they were called to multiple fires, and a lot of the crews who were called ended up working into the early morning hours of Saturday. Along with crews from McKeesport, crews from White Oak and Glassport were also called to fight the fires. The first call came just after 1 a.m. for a fire a a home in the 500 block of Olive Street between Lincoln Street and Grant Street. Not long after that call, another call came in for a fire at a home in the 600 block of Shaw Avenue near Huey Street and Cornell Street. As of around 7 a.m., no injuries have been reported. At the Olive Street fire, the fire marshal is on scene investigating. The cause of both fires has yet to be determined.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
"Chromebook challenge" warning issued after more than a dozen incidents in Massachusetts schools
The state fire marshal is warning parents and teachers about the TikTok "Chromebook Challenge" trend after 14 incidents at Massachusetts schools in less than a week. Fire Marshal Jon Davine says the social media trend involves putting an object like a paper clip or pencil lead into a laptop's charging or USB ports, which can cause the computer to short circuit. The device can then heat up and start smoking, potentially leading to a fire that could hurt someone. "So far, only one minor injury has been reported but heavy smoke and device damage have been reported in some cases," the fire marshal said in a statement. Most of the reports have come from teachers. Davine suggests "there are probably many more" incidents involving the challenge that haven't been reported. "No matter how smart your kids or students might be, please impress upon them that the only thing you should place in a computer port is the appropriate cord," Davine said. "Chromebook Challenge" incidents at New Hampshire school Fire officials across the country have warned about the dangers of the viral challenge. A 13-year-old girl in California was arrested for arson last week after the the computer caught fire. One school in New Hampshire said last week that it saw 15 incidents of the challenge over three days, in which students "intentionally inserted" objects into the charging or USB ports of their Chromebooks. "This is not only a matter of property damage—these actions present a serious toxic smoke and fire hazard, both at school and at home," the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham said in a statement. "Please discuss this issue with your students and reinforce the seriousness of tampering with any school-issued technology." The school says any student that intentionally damages a Chromebook will be responsible for the replacement cost of up to $320.
