Army Trail Road is closed in both directions in suburban Bloomingdale after a freight train struck a pickup truck on Thursday afternoon. According to Total Traffic, the roadway is closed in both directions between Gary Avenue and 84th Court because of the collision, which occurred just before 5:30 p.m. Officials have not confirmed any injuries stemming from the collision. Gary Avenue is also closed in both directions between Lies Road and Army Trail road in suburban Carol Stream because of the collision, with the train remaining on the tracks and blocking several crossings. It is unclear how long it will take for crews to clean up the scene and to conduct an investigation.  

Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire that destroyed an oil change station in Belleville. The fire happened at Fast Oil Change Plus on Carlyle Avenue this morning. Everyone was able to get out of the fire safely, and no one was injured. The East St. Louis Fire Department said the fire was extinguished as of early Thursday afternoon, but firefighters were continuing to remain on the scene to monitor for hot spots and flare-ups. The building was ruled a total loss, and firefighters said the walls that remained standing after the fire could collapse. Firefighters do not know what caused the fire at this time. The investigation is ongoing.  

A hazardous materials team was called out to a home near Campton Hills, Ill., Thursday afternoon. Campton Hills police said their officers, Elburn and Countryside fire departments, the Kane County Sheriff's Office, Senior Services Associates of Kane County and Kane County Animal Control were called to a home on Town Hall Road for a public health investigation. Police said the responders found unfit living conditions and a large number of dogs and cats living in the home. The condition of the home triggered a hazardous materials response. The home's residents were taken to area hospitals for evaluations and treatment. The animals were taken by Kane County Animal Control for treatment.  

A local harm reduction nonprofit organization is thinking outside the box to improve accessibility to drug overdose resources. JOLT Harm Reduction is making it easier to access naloxone, the opiate overdose-reversing drug. The nonprofit placed an overdose reversal box containing naloxone nasal spray kits next to the East Bluff Community Center in early September. "My hope is that we continue to see overdose deaths decrease as a result of increased accessibility," said JOLT Program Director Chris Schaffner. The repurposed real estate box was strategically placed by EBCC based on overdose reversal data from drug users, first responders and the Peoria Police Department. "We look at where are the majority of overdoses being responded to, and then we know that's a hotspot for overdoses to target interventions," said Schaffner.  

After a nearly two-hour long firefight, crews in Stockton have gotten a handle on a two-alarm fire that destroyed a shuttered warehouse in downtown Stockton Thursday. Around 11:30 a.m. Thursday, flames erupted inside of a building, formerly an auto shop, near Hunter and Oak Streets in Stockton, officials with the Stockton Fire Department said. First responders from across San Joaquin County raced to the building Thursday as it became engulfed in flames and sent off a large plume of thick black smoke. "Upon arrival, (crews) had heavy smoke showing from what you can see is now mostly burnt up. They initially attempted an interior attack, did a quick search to make sure there weren't any victims inside then we pulled crews out," said Alex Steinheimer, a battalion chief with the Stockton Fire Department.  

For the first time since the pandemic's start, firefighters from across the United States and Canada will gather in Colorado Springs to memorialize those lost due to service to their communities. This weekend will mark the 2022 IAFF Fire Fighter Memorial and it will be a big one as the International Association of Fire Fighters is inviting all the families impacted by cancellations in 2020 and 2021 to join in person for the event. The names of 469 fallen firefighters will be added to the Memorial Wall of Honor at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, including the names of those lost in the line of duty during 2020 and 2021. Gregg and Jody Sunday traveled from Pennsylvania to honor their son, Stephen Sunday, who was killed in the line of duty in 2020.  

The Westchester County Volunteer Firemen's Association swore in its first female president Thursday night. The gathering of volunteer firefighters at a small banquet hall in Cortlandt also celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association. New President Angela Outhouse's instinct to respond to emergencies was also on full display. About an hour before being sworn in and right after speaking with News 12, Outhouse noticed a fellow firefighter not feeling well. She treated him on the spot right as other firefighters ran to their cars to get their medical bags. The firefighter was then taken to a hospital. Outhouse is a volunteer EMT and firefighter with the Buchanan Engine Company. She said that there were few women in the male-dominated field of firefighting and still are.  

VIDEO: Sometimes fire departments run across what could become a future employee at the scene of a fire, but that doesn't happen very often. Well, that's just what happened at a recent Longview fire. But, it may be a while before he receives a paycheck since he's six years old. When there's a fire, it catches the neighborhood's attention, but six-year-old Spencer Laster, who was home sick, was absolutely fascinated by the firefighters putting that fire out. "They come to fires, and they help out people whenever there's a fire," Spencer said. He says he's been interested in firefighters since he was two years old. That's well over half his life. "They have big trucks, and I love heights," Spencer said. No fear of a ladder truck here or fear of the pressure of a fire hose. His reaction was pretty much the opposite. "Pretty fun actually," Spencer said.  

Opioid related overdoses continue to rise in Milwaukee County. The county's medical examiner reports that 80% of confirmed drug deaths this year involved fentanyl, with the county on track for 700+ drug related deaths this year. Now, local law enforcement agencies like the Oak Creek Fire Department are working to slow down those numbers by handing out Narcan Hope Kits. Milwaukee County is on track for 700+ drug related deaths this year. ioid related overdoses continue to rise in Milwaukee County. The county's medical examiner reports that 80% of confirmed drug deaths this year involved fentanyl, with the county on track for 700+ drug related deaths this year. Now, local law enforcement agencies like the Oak Creek Fire Department are working to slow down those numbers by handing out Narcan Hope Kits.