VIDEO: A fire was tearing through a townhouse apartment complex in Woodbridge, New Jersey Friday morning.

The fire broke out on the third floor and was seen shooting through the roof of Woodbridge Center Plaza on Plaza Drive just before 5:45 a.m.

Residents were evacuating as firefighters arrived. Firefighters initially battled the blaze from the inside but were forced to turn it into an exterior operation due to the heavy flames. No injuries have been immediately reported.

WABC-TV ABC 7 New York City

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Rodney Marshall will be Boston’s first Black fire commissioner, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Thursday. He will take over when current Commissioner Paul Burke retires at the end of the month.

“I’ve seen firsthand his steady leadership, sound judgment, and commitment to our mission,” Burke said of Marshall. “He is a good choice by the Mayor—and he will be a great commissioner.”

Wu commended Marshall for his “quick thinking and bravery” and explained he had “earned trust every step of the way” in his 35 years with the department.

“As a lifelong Bostonian, he knows our communities, has demonstrated his leadership on the job, and has devoted his career to serving and protecting our residents. It’s my honor to appoint him as our next Fire Commissioner,” Wu said in a statement.

Marshall, a Dorchester native and Boston College graduate, will become the 45th fire commissioner in the city’s history. He is currently the Deputy Fire Chief and Chief of Operations.

“I love this department, and I love this city,” he said.

He explained that the job is all about “teamwork” and emphasized the importance of firefighters’ place in the community. Marshall vowed that all firehouses will be open in the summer.

WBZ-TV CBS 4 Boston

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VIDEO: In an effort to combat the high rates of cancer and chronic stress inherent to the profession, fire departments across the Phoenix metropolitan area are increasingly adopting “Recharge Rooms,” specialized wellness suites designed to accelerate physical and mental recovery for first responders.

What began as a pilot program in Gilbert has expanded rapidly. In just two and a half years, the concept has grown to reach 21 cities across six states, offering a 33-minute recovery circuit that includes red-light therapy, saunas, and cold plunges.

The initiative targets a grim reality for firefighters: members of the service are 9% more likely to develop occupational cancer and 15% more likely to die from the disease than the general population. For veterans like Capt. Joe Sperke, a 28-year veteran of the Gilbert Fire Department, the rooms have been life-altering.

Before the program, Sperke said he woke up in pain nearly every day and relied on medication to sleep. “I don’t wake up in pain. I don’t take sleep medication anymore,” Sperke said. “It was a huge benefit for me. I utilize it every day and we encourage people to use it as often as possible.”

KPNX-TV NBC 12 Mesa

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Just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, Vancouver Fire and Clark County Fire District 3 responded to a kitchen fire in the 9300 block of Northeast 227th Avenue. “While units were en route, dispatchers relayed critical information that multiple pets remained trapped inside the burning structure,” Vancouver Fire said.

Officials said firefighters immediately began battling the blaze while others entered the home to search for the pets. “During the search, firefighters located and rescued two dogs and two cats from inside the residence,” Vancouver Fire said. Crews immediately began resuscitation efforts on the animals. “Despite the rapid response and lifesaving efforts of personnel, three of the animals died,” Vancouver Fire said. “One dog was successfully revived and survived.”

KATU-TV ABC 2 Portland

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The Yakima City Council has approved an increase in utility taxes to help fund a fire station that had been at risk of closure. Yakima Fire Station 92, which serves the West Valley area, has been at risk of closure due to a lack of funds for its operation. Yakima Fire Department officials have said that recent budget cuts for the fire department have threatened their ability to staff the station. In January, at strong urging from the community, councilmembers unanimously voted to extend funding for the fire station through August 2026 while they considered long-term financial solutions for the station.

At the City Council meeting on April 14, councilmembers voted 6-1 to implement a 3% utility tax increase to help fund the station. The ordinance will increase utility bills in the city by about $36 per year. Councilmember Felisa Gonzalez was the only councilmember who voted against the ordinance. The increased tax is expected to raise nearly $2 million to fund operations at Fire Station 92. The ordinance includes language that would end the tax if Yakima County passes an increased levy for emergency medical services before 2028.

Apple Valley News Now

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