Two homes were gutted by flames overnight in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after neighbors reported hearing an explosion, officials said. But so far, investigators have not pinpointed what caused the explosion or the fire. Crews responded to the scene, in the 3500 block of South Holden Street, at about 9 p.
- PUB DATE: 7/2/2015 7:45:10 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 and Radio 1000

As July 4 approaches, two Lynnwood men learned the hard way Tuesday night why firefighters are so wary this year. The men, 32 and 26, were walking on a sidewalk along the Alderwood Mall Parkway just south of the I-5 overpass when one of them lit a firework. The 26-year-old man told police he knew he shouldn’t throw it into traffic so he tossed it over a fence into some dry grass.
- PUB DATE: 7/2/2015 3:09:04 AM - SOURCE: Everett Herald

Auburn Fire Chief Frank Roma uses a DJI Phantom 3 drone for aerial photography, but it ended up playing a part in a river rescue Tuesday. The fire department was one of a number of crews sent to the Little Androscoggin in Mechanic Falls after two boys who had been riding on an inner tube got stuck on a rock in the rapids.
- PUB DATE: 7/2/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: wmtw

Volunteer firefighters are steamed that a rural water system has welded shut the largest connections on its fire plugs. According to the Bear Valley Joint Authority, a pump could suck water from the system and collapse its underground pipes. The issue has become as much about communication as putting out fires.
- PUB DATE: 7/2/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Public Opinion Online

The name of the town is Okay, but when it comes to the fire department, things are anything but. "Oh yes there's frustration," said Terry Gorman. Gorman has been the chief for 16 years, that is, until earlier this week. "I have no choice other than to turn my badge in and resign as chief," he said.
- PUB DATE: 7/2/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Muskogee Phoenix