VIDEO/PHOTOS: During the most grueling moments of climbing 110 flights of stairs on Sunday, Renee Endress found inspiration from the firefighter whose photo she wore around her neck. Participants in the Hero Climb at Guilford High School's Swanson Stadium each wore a lanyard with a photo and biography of a firefighter who died while responding to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Endress had selected Captain Brian Hickey, a 20-year veteran of the New York City Fire Department and father of four who died responding to the World Trade Center. He was 47. Some participants held their lanyard outstretched in front of them to showcase who they were honoring in the climb. Endress, a Poplar Grove resident, talked to Hickey to find the strength to continue the climb with the sun bearing down.  

VIDEOS/PHOTO: Eight people were injured following a large explosion and fire at ADM. The Decatur Fire Department confirms eight people were hurt, with six of those people being transported to the hospital by ambulance. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. One person refused treatement at the scene. Another person arrived at the hospital by unknown means, the fire department added. Heavy smoke was seen coming from the northeast side of Decatur Sunday night. First responders were seen heading to ADM around 7:30 p.m. Neighbors reported to WAND News they felt their homes shake. Officials with the Decatur Fire Department told WAND there was a large explosion and fire. ADM was evacuated. The fire department said no private homes have been evacuated.  

A house on West Elm Street in the City of Oneida was destroyed early Saturday morning by an explosion caused by a stolen vehicle crashing into the home. There were no injuries to homeowners, neighbors or emergency crews. Oneida Mayor Helen Acker posted on Facebook "there were no fatalities." Police say the crash, which happened around 3:00am, severed the gas line into the house. Six homes were subsequently evacuated, police tell NewsChannel 9. After nearly three hours of leaking gas, the home exploded. It forced first responders to hide behind fire trucks to dodge flying debris. Oneida Police tell NewsChannel 9 that the vehicle that crashed into the home was stolen by a juvenile. There is also extensive damage to surrounding buildings. All utilities have been secured and there is no danger to the public.  

VIDEO/PHOTO: The City of Hattiesburg has a new fire truck honoring the Hattiesburg Public School District. The new Ladder 1 vehicle has been named "Purple Rain" and is painted in the purple-and-gold colors of Hattiesburg High School. The truck was officially dedicated at a ceremony at Station No. 1 Thursday. The vehicle cost nearly $1.3 million and was purchased with federal ARPA funds. A panel of city leaders and firefighters chose the name "Purple Rain" from a list of suggestions from 160 residents. Sixteen different people suggested "Purple Rain." The city also has an engine painted in black-and-gold colors honoring University of Southern Mississippi.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A skateboarding event in Hollywood turned hostile and violent Saturday night when a crowd began setting fire to property and at least one vehicle. The skateboarding competition started around 4:30 p.m. on the 1600 block of Cherokee Avenue and became violent around 7:22 p.m. when the crowd began acting up, police said. The crowds began lighting trash cans and a car on fire while igniting fireworks, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Citizen video from the scene shows graffiti covering a L.A. Fire Department vehicle, a fully charred vehicle sitting in the parking lot, and general vandalism where the event took place. Crowds of people were seen surrounding a raging fire ignited in the parking lot as heavy smoke billowed into the sky.  

VIDEO: It's estimated that more than 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently waiting for a kidney transplant with over 3,000 patients added to the list each month. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Knox Company have launched the "Expand Your Legacy – Become a Living Kidney Donor" campaign to raise awareness on the life-changing impacts of becoming a living kidney donor. Ron Siarnicki, Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Bethany Shields, a living kidney donor and fire department volunteer, joined Action News 5's Andrew Douglas at the digital desk to talk about the campaign, share personal stories, and explain why this message is so important.  

VIDEO: The number of first responders who have died from 9/11-related illnesses now almost equals the number of firefighters who died during the terror attacks themselves. A total of 341 New York City Fire Department firefighters, paramedics and civilian support staff who died from post-911 illnesses are now memorialized at the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association. The memorial commemorates both first responders who died during the attacks and those who died from related illnesses in the years since. That count almost equals the 343 New York firefighters who died during the 2001 attacks. The fire department added 43 names to the memorial on September 6, according to a news release.