Five apartments were destroyed in an early morning, two-alarm fire Tuesday in Kelso. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire was reported at 4:14 a.m. in the 100 block of Beacon Hill Drive, according to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue. Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue was on scene first and crews attacked the fire from the back yard.
- PUB DATE: 5/10/2022 12:11:00 PM - SOURCE: The Daily News

The Sikeston Department of Public Safety plans to add two fire trucks and replace its main fire station, reports kfvs.com.

One apparatus is a 2002 95-foot ladder, whose purchase was approved by city council last week at a cost of $185,000; its predecessor was recently damaged. The other is a yet-to-be-built engine, the report says.

Related: Sikeston (MO) in Need of New Fire Station

The previous ladder’s damage did return an insurance settlement, which helped pay for a portion of the new truck, while the city helped out with additional funds, the report says.

In addition, the city has already purchased land to build the new station, which will replace its predecessor that was built in the 1940s.

The ladder is expected to be in service in about a month, while the other apparatus and station are both in their respective planning stage, the report notes.

Video captured two thieves stealing saws from a Houston fire truck Saturday while firefighters were responding to a medical emergency, reports KHOU11.

A security camera captures the two men as they pull in to the parking lot and raid the truck. The stolen saws are worth $4,000.

Related Articles:
Man Accused of Stealing Houston (TX) Ambulance from Hospital, Leading Police on Chase
Two Houston (TX) Fire Trucks Hit Minutes Apart at Two Scenes
Houston (TX) Places New Fire Apparatus in Service
One Hurt in Accident with Houston (TX) Fire Apparatus
Motorist Badly Hurt in Crash with Houston (TX) Fire Engine

The woman whose camera captured the incident said she was in shock that people would steal from a fire truck while it was responding to a call.

She was able to provide police with a partial license plate number for the vehicle involved in the theft.

The City of Hoquiam has a new Fire Chief, with one of their own being named to the position. On Monday night at their regular meeting, the Hoquiam City Council unanimously approved the appointment of former Assistant Chief Matt Miller to the lead role within the department, as appointed by Mayor Ben Winkelman.
- PUB DATE: 5/10/2022 6:56:21 AM - SOURCE: KXRO-FM 107.7 Aberdeen

Last month, FA reported that Allendale Township was about ready to begin construction on a new $7.5 million fire station. Well, those plans came to fruition on Thursday, reports hollandsentinel.com, as the township broke ground for the new facility to be built near the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and 68th Avenue, right next to the current one.

Earlier: Allendale Township (MI) Set to Build New $7.5M Station

The project has been in the works for years, as the current station lacks space and isn’t ideal for the area’s growth. The new digs will include sleeping quarters, a kitchen area for when it’s converted to a 24/7 staffing model, women’s quarters, restrooms, lockers, and be handicap accessible.

The project won’t result in any tax increases, the report says. Its price tag includes the construction and outfitting of the new building, the demolition of the existing building, and reworked entrances.

Local Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the Allendale Charter Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) made contributions to the new construction; GVSU contributed $1 million, while DDA donated $3.5 million, FA reported.