The Hutchinson (KS) Fire Department responded to a fire at 929 West 2nd Ave. after the homeowner burned a mattress and ragweed in an attempt to destroy a wasp nest. The makeshift pest-repellent ignited the home, and fire crews showed up to extinguish it at 10:47 p.m. Sunday.

First-arriving crews reported heavy fire and smoke showing from the single-story home’s rear, with the lone occupant removed at the time.

Crews noted they had a difficult time entering the home due to hoarder-like conditions; they described the abode as uninhabitable.

No firefighters were injured during the incident, and investigators interviewed the homeowner and determined the cause of the fire.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was assisted by the Reno County 911 Dispatch Center, Hutchinson Police Department, Reno County EMS, Kansas Gas, and Evergy.

The Macomb Township (MI) Board of Trustees approved purchasing a total of $60,000 worth of new apparatus, reports macombdaily.com.

Macomb Township fire officials had two requests before the board—to purchase six thermal imaging cameras and to purchase extrication equipment.

The Macomb Township Fire Department’s current thermal imaging cameras were purchased in 2010, with parts no longer available; two of the six current cameras are out of commission for good. The bid for the cameras went to Phoenix Safety Outfitters at a total cost of $30,097.68, which was included in the fiscal year 2021 – 2022 budget.

The extrication equipment, aka Jaws of Life, will run the department $30,000 and will be for a new mini-pumper that is now on order. The battery-powered equipment from Apollo Fire Equipment Company includes the cutter, spreader, ram, and AC power supply adapter, and was included in the current budget, officials say.

The Orono (ME) Fire Department will soon be requesting $675,000 for a new fire engine better suited for the needs, according to a report published by Fox22 WFVX.

The television station reported the department has two trucks now that just don’t fit the needs of the community. The second line engine has required a lot of repairs lately that have been costly, the station reported.

Funding for the new apparatus will be paid over five years, the TV station reported.

A new 2021 pumper was recently delivered to the Clinton Township (PA) Volunteer Fire Company just in time to mark the department’s 75th anniversary, according to an article published by the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

Chief Todd Winder told the newspaper he hopes delivery of the new Sutphen custom pumper will spark interest in serving the department and increase the number of volunteers showing up for calls.

The new custom pumper will seat eight firefighters, instead of five the department’s current pumper will accommodate, the newspaper said, noting it also has a 900-gallon tank, rescue equipment, and enough room to carry all the equipment that was carried on two older trucks. It cost $574,000, the paper reported, compared to $205,000 the fire company paid for its last new fire truck which was purchased in 1994.

In addition to residential areas, the fire company provides coverage for an electrical plant, agricultural farms, heavy industries, natural gas and petroleum pipelines, a railroad line, a major state highway, a section of the state forest, a large section of the Susquehanna River, a women’s prison, a school, an airport, a golf course, an Amish community, landfill and recycling center, the newspaper reported.

The department responds to about 600 call, both fire and medical in nature, annually,  the paper reported.