Santa Claus was briefly blamed for a Dec. 21, 1907, fire that destroyed the eastern half of the 600 block of East Adams Street. The final damage estimate, over $137,000, made the fire the most expensive in Springfield history up to that time. The blaze started in the Johnston-Hatcher store on the southwest corner of Seventh and Adams streets.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The State Journal-Register - Metered Site

Acting State Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey issued the following statement today on the recent increase in firefighter line-of-duty deaths: "Yesterday afternoon, our office learned of the recent house fire in West Penn Township near Tamaqua, Schuylkill County during which three individuals unfortunately lost their lives.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WOLF-TV FOX 56 Hazelton

VIDEO: When Meridian Fire Department Chief Kris Blume got into the career almost 25 years ago, he did not think about the health risks. “I never had even an awareness that cancer was something that we needed to be aware of,” he said. But cancer risk is definitely something he is aware of now. A recent 2022 study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer found occupational exposure as a firefighter causes cancer.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVB-TV NBC 7 Boise

A structure fire on north Broad Avenue caused some alarm when what sounded like gunshots was heard in the area. However, Spokane Fire Department (SFD) arrived quickly to the scene and determined the loud pops came from gun powder stored inside a burning garage which was cooked off in the flames. The fire was reported around 2:30 on Sunday afternoon, with a large number of units headed to the scene.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

At least 18 people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the southbound I-5 express lanes in Seattle Monday morning. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) first reported the crash near Mercer Street just before 7:15 a.m. The crash initially blocked two right lanes of the southbound I-5 express lanes and the off-ramp to Stewart Street.
- PUB DATE: 12/12/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle