A Whatcom County woman must spend 4 ½ years in prison for burning down a Ferndale house on New Year’s Day 2014, killing a woman who was inside. Katherine Marie Sofie, also known as Kathy Benson, 53, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, arson, and assault Wednesday, Jan. 6, for setting fire to a house on the outskirts of Ferndale city limits.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2016 1:42:23 AM - SOURCE: Bellingham Herald

VIDEO - A sprawling Victorian home overlooking the Kennebec River was destroyed Wednesday by a fast-moving fire that took crews several hours to douse. Nobody was hurt in the fire at 37 Riverview Drive, though a firefighter walking near the ridgepole on the roof narrowly escaped when the roofing beneath him gave way, causing a ball of flames to erupt around him.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Central Maine

The Buffalo Fire Department has lost it second deputy commissioner in two months with the resignation of Kevin D. Peterson, who is dropping back into the union ranks as he prepares to retire from the department. Peterson, 49, confirmed on Wednesday he is no longer a deputy and that he voluntarily reverted to his civil service rank of battalion chief.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: buffalo news

Mayor Toni N. Harp has named retired Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Black to serve as acting fire chief as Fire Chief Allyn Wright retired Monday, according to a release. Black will take the role effective Jan. 11. Assistant Chief of Operations Matt Marcarelli is in command until then. Harp has said the city will conduct a national search for a new fire chief.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: new haven register

I was riding my bicycle to town the other day past a familiar church signboard, and another message caught my attention. It said: "Those who shine from within do not need a spotlight." I started thinking about those who always seek attention for themselves — why they do it, what effect this behavior has on the larger group, and how this applies to the fire service.
- PUB DATE: 1/7/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: firerescue1