Firefighter Nation has formed its first Advisory Board to enhance its commitment to firefighter wellness, ensuring content accuracy and expertise across mental health, career development, and recruitment.

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VIDEO: Three firefighters were injured and three homes were destroyed or damaged after an explosion amid a house fire on Whidbey Island Wednesday afternoon, according to Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue. Around 2:45 p.m. on June 24, people called 911 to report a house fire on Smugglers Cover Road near Lagoon Point. Shortly after fire crews arrived, there was an explosion, according to the fire department. The first home and a second, neighboring home that caught fire were completely destroyed. A third home was damaged by the explosion, according to the fire department.

Two people transported themselves to the hospital, so officials do not know the extent of their injuries. Two fire chiefs and one firefighter were injured amid the explosion. All three of the firefighters are in stable condition, according to Central Whidbey Fire. Officials did not identify the firefighters, but said they work for Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue and South Whidbey Fire/EMS.

The cause of the initial house fire and the subsequent blast are under investigation by the Region 3 Arson Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Along with Central Whidbey Fire, responding agencies included South Whidbey, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Navy Region Northwest and additional law enforcement agencies.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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A former furniture factory is now a shell after a massive 6-alarm blaze burned through the commercial building in Allentown on Wednesday night.

Several homes across the street were also damaged by the fire.

The blaze broke out around 8:45 p.m. in the 300 block of North Front Street.

Chopper 6 video showed heavy flames engulfing the structure, which sustained significant damage. Portions of the roof and interior floors have collapsed.

Authorities urged residents on the 300 block of North Front Street to evacuate through the rear of their homes, since it was too dangerous out front. Residents in surrounding areas were advised to shelter in place until further notice.

No injuries have been reported.

“The biggest fire I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It was insane. It was hot — smoke everywhere,” said Shawn Sell. “I got text messages from friends 30 miles away, asking me if I was ok. And they saw the big plumes of smoke.”

The building was the former American Atelier furniture factory, which has since moved to another location.

WPVI-TV ABC 6 Philadelphia

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PHOTOS: A plane that went down in the Columbia River has caused a power outage in Kennewick and a brush fire in Pasco, and multiple emergency response officials responded to the scene. According to dispatch records, emergency responders were sent to the Columbia River near Clover Island at about 2:29 p.m. on June 24 for a reported aircraft crash. According to multiple eyewitnesses at the scene, a small airplane was flying low when it clipped power lines on the Pasco side of the river near the Cable Bridge. The collision caused the plane to flip over into the river.

The crash into the power lines caused power outages in both Pasco and Kennewick. Sparks from the damaged power lines also fell and caused a grass fire in Pasco’s Youth Baseball Complex. Multiple emergency response agencies responded to the scene to fight the fire and assist people involved in the plane crash. The plane itself was partially submerged in the river, and police and search and rescue boats circled the area searching for the plane.

The plane was recovered from the water at about 3:30 p.m. It had flipped upside down in the crash, and was recovered from the water by a crane. Franklin County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed two men lost their lives in the plane crash. The Franklin County Coroner is working to identify the deceased and notify their families.

Responding agencies included Pasco Police Department, Pasco Fire Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Benton PUD and Franklin PUD.

Apple Valley News Now

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Three firefighters were injured Thursday when a house exploded shortly after crews arrived to battle a fire in Greenbank on Whidbey Island, according to Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue. The injured firefighters include two fire chiefs and one firefighter from Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue and South Whidbey Fire/EMS, the agency said. Their names were not immediately released. Two firefighters were taken to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, while a third was transported to Island Hospital with blast injuries. All three were reported in stable condition.

Fire officials said two civilians may also have been injured but drove themselves to a hospital before they could be evaluated by emergency responders. The explosion occurred after crews responded to a reported house fire at about 2:45 p.m. on Smuggler’s Cove Road near Lagoon Point, according to Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue. Firefighters were injured shortly after arriving when the home exploded.

The blast and resulting fire destroyed the home where the explosion occurred, officials said. A neighboring home was also destroyed after catching fire, and a third home sustained damage from the explosion. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation by the Region 3 Arson Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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