A fire destroyed an abandoned house Sunday night in Puyallup. Firefighters with Central Pierce Fire and Rescue were called to near the 13900 block of Meridian Street and arrived to find a heavy fire. Firefighters performed an offensive attack on the fire before they were able to put it out. No injuries were reported.
- PUB DATE: 11/22/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

Deputy Fire Chief Jay Schreckengost died after falling down a steep hillside or cliff, the Kittitas County Coroner says. Rescue crews recovered Schreckengost's body on Nov. 14. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Office says Schreckengost was found in the mountains near Cliffdell, about a half-mile from where his pickup was parked, and he had been missing since Nov.
- PUB DATE: 11/21/2021 12:02:51 PM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Seattle

Woodward Township officials are moving forward with a plan to borrow money for a new rescue-pumper for Dunnstown (PA) Volunteer Fire Co., but not without controversy, reports lockhaven.com.

The department says it cannot afford the $842,000 apparatus on its own because of COVID-related reduced fundraising, and an argument ensued at the town meeting, the report says.

The outcome was officials will consider a letter of commitment for a loan backed by revenue from a 1 mill property fire tax enacted in early 2020, the report says. The department says it will secure the loan after documentation is settled and the letter is required to proceed.

The longer the decision is delayed, the more the truck could cost, according to the report. The apparatus’ cost has risen $90,000 since an estimate last year—the previous estimate was $750,000.

The West Thurston (WA) Fire Department says thieves twice in the last week made off with full gas cans from its Littlerock Road station in Olympia.

The department is asking if anyone recognizes the SUV that was used in the heists, which were caught on surveillance footage this past Sunday evening and then again on Wednesday evening.

The vehicle appears to be a silver 2005 Chrysler Pacific SUV, which officials say came in from the south and left heading north on Littlerock Road.

Anyone with information should call 360-352-1614, the department pleads.

Littlerock Rd fire station theft. Be on the look-out! This vehicle/person feeling the need to relieve us of fuel cans & extra fuel supply. 2005 Pacifica silver SUV. They came through on Nov 14 @ 18:30, and again on Nov 17 @ 19:30. Please contact us at 360-352-1614 with any info pic.twitter.com/HEqgbcfmU1

— West Thurston Fire (@ThurstonFirePIO) November 18, 2021

The Hollywood Park (TX) Fire Department plans to replace its 20-year-old ladder truck with an under-design new one by the end of 2022, reports exbulletin.com—though the purchase comes with a construction project.

The department has placed an order for and put a $592,190 down payment on a $1.6 million, 44-foot-long, 100-foot Pierce ladder, the report says.

Its predecessor’s ladder only reached 75 feet and is apparently shorter, as the fire hall’s bay needs to be expanded by 10 feet to fit the new apparatus, the report says.

Funds from department capital projects are being used to partially pay for the new apparatus, and the city is working with Government Capital Corp. to finance the remainder of the construction at an interest rate of 1.94% over five years, the report says.

Officials say if the city were to wait until fall 2022 to order the truck, its cost would increase by $45,000.