When it came time to build his administration last fall, Mayor Kenney didn't hesitate to turn to some familiar faces. Richard Ross was appointed the city's police commissioner. Mike DeBerardinis was tapped to be managing director. Debbie Mahler, Kenney's longtime aide in City Council, was named deputy mayor for intergovernmental affairs.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Philadelphia Daily News

A garbage truck exploded after catching fire on a street in Hamilton Tuesday and blasted a hole in the front of a nearby house, though no injuries were immediately reported. A total of four houses were damaged in the 2 p.m. explosion. One the truck's four natural gas tanks exploded in the fire and rocketed into the front of Doris Pattley's home on Fitzrandolph Street, just off Lalor Street, officials said.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Trenton Times

New Orleans' fire chief said a massive six-alarm fire that broke out on Canal Street early Wednesday morning (Jan. 27) has spread to a second building and that the four-story structure initially found burning is in danger of collapsing onto the pavement below. "Collapse is always an issue, as it is in this situation here," New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Tim McConnell said on the scene at 1018 Canal Street, between South Rampart Street and Roosevelt Way.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New Orleans Times-Picayune & Nola.com

A firefighter who was badly injured in the same Blue Hills Avenue fire in which his colleague Kevin Bell was killed has returned to duty, the fire department said Tuesday. Jason Martinez, a member of the tactical unit, was back on full duty Tuesday for the first time since the deadly fire on Oct. 7, 2014.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: hartford courant

For the first time in about 50 years, a Johnson brother won't be part of the Fort Gratiot Fire Department. Assistant Chief Carl "Buck" Johnson, 74, is retiring at the end of the week. His younger brother, Larry Johnson, 71, retired in June after 40 years with the department. The brothers worked together 40 years on the department, and they still josh with each other.
- PUB DATE: 1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Port Huron Times Herald