Crews had to take down a house fire after it exploded early Thursday in Roslyn. Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6 confirmed the fire started shortly after the sun came up around 7:30 a.m. at the home in the 200 block of W. Montana Ave. All residents were able to get out of the home, officials say the fire started after the loud explosion.
- PUB DATE: 1/13/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

A man who tried to burn his ex-wife’s house down after crashing through her garage was arrested Tuesday night on several charges. Spokane Police said 40-year-old Karim Hattal drove his car through the garage door of his ex-wife’s home at E 35th and S Smith around 9:15 p.m. Officers said he forced his way into the house and assaulted her.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2022 11:11:53 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

Klickitat County (WA) Fire District’s Station 32 sustained damage, as did one apparatus, during last week’s snowfall in the aptly named Snowden.

Station 32, nearing completion of major renovations, saw its roof collapse. Luckily, no one was hurt and there were no contractors working at the time—fortuitous as a Yakima cabinet crew was scheduled to arrive soon thereafter.

“The District will be working with our insurance company to get it back up as soon as possible,” a Facebook post reads. “We do have damage to one fire engine unfortunately. The other, primary, engine is still safe and sound at Station 33.”

After evaluations showed that the current facility is outdated and cramped, city officials are perusing proposals for a new fire station in Herrin (IL), reports wsiltv.com.

The current facility, built 48 years ago, was designed for a two-person crew, though the department now has five.

Proposed floor plans are in hand, but the report says that identifying the exact needs will take about five to six months.

Officials note that razing and rebuilding the current building would cost around $4 million. However, they also say that building at a new location would cost about the same, sans relocating the department. The hope is for the new building to be operational within two years, the report says.

Elko County (NV) Fire Protection District officials say their 2022 projects are off to a good start and the improvements are moving along nicely, reports elkodaily.com.

Plans include applying for a FEMA grant to purchase a $750,000 heavy rescue, the report says. The apparatus would be used for hazmat responses.

The grant would require a 10% match—estimated at $37,500 each from the city and the county but not to exceed $50,000 apiece, according to the report.

Also, the district will apply for a $50,000 AFG for new electric extrication equipment.

Wells Station

Also approved was spending $220,000 to buy a building in Wells for a fire station, as opposed to building a new facility for about $2 million. The fire district currently operates out of the county roads department facility.

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The proposed plot is a commercial property with two buildings, including a heated shop with overhead doors to store the fire district’s truck, as well as an office.

Engine

The county also agreed to sell a Spring Creek engine and replace it with a more reliable one, the report says.

Officials say the $526,000 2020 E-One truck is good but service that should take a few days upwards of a month.

Firefighters’ Union

Negotiations with the firefighters’ union for the next contract are set to start soon, as the old deal is up at the end of the fiscal year. IAFF Local 5046 and the fire district have butted heads over bargaining and pay in the past, the report says.