A routine medical call led firefighters to an active explosives lab inside a home near Martha Lake, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

South County Fire crews were called around 2 p.m. Tuesday to a home in the 400 block of Lakeview Road in unincorporated Lynnwood. While helping the patient, firefighters noticed signs that explosives might be inside the residence, the Sheriff’s office said.

Deputies were sent to the scene. A sergeant who arrived immediately recognized chemicals and chemical precursors commonly linked to making explosives, and it appeared devices were being manufactured inside the home, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Washington State Patrol Region 2 Interagency Bomb Squad was called in. Bomb technicians sent a robot into the house and confirmed an active explosives lab.

A deputy then got a search warrant, and the home was searched. Bomb technicians went in, processed the scene, and removed all explosives and precursor chemicals from the home.

Authorities say they do not believe there is any immediate danger to the public. The investigation is ongoing.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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A homeowner was injured after an explosion was reported at a Spanaway home Wednesday morning.
Central Pierce Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched at around 10:50 a.m. to a home in the 2500 block of 170th Street East.

According to fire officials, the homeowner heard an explosion and discovered flames inside the garage. He called 911 and got his family out safely before crews arrived.

Crews found the garage engulfed in fire, with heavy smoke spreading into the home. They quickly knocked down the fire and cleared the smoke from the home.

The homeowner was treated at the scene by fire department personnel for a minor injury. No additional injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Pierce County Fire Marshal’s Office.

KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

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VIDEO: A Seattle City Council member is proposing restoring $7 million for the Seattle Fire Department’s overtime budget, after new city projections identified $12.7 million in additional unused funds.

Councilmember Maritza Rivera said she wants to use the funding to restore overtime money that was cut in Mayor Katie Wilson’s initial proposed budget.

The proposed cut drew criticism from the Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27 and the fire department over concerns about staffing and emergency response times.

Union President Kenny Stuart said firefighters are already being asked to work additional hours to maintain staffing.

“The fire department has been asking firefighters to come back after their shift is done over and over and over,” Stuart said. “Sometimes for as long as 72 hours in a row.”

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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The NTSB reported a Cal Fire contractor’s helicopter crashed in Yosemite after water bucket issues; both crew members died.

The post Firefighting Helicopter Jettisoned Troublesome Water Bucket Seconds Before Fatal CA Crash: NTSB appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Roseville’s fire station No. 1 renovation was delayed by a corroded main sewer line, and officials plan to use contingency funds for repairs.

The post Collapsed Sewer Line Prompts Delay in Roseville (MI) Fire Department Renovations appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.