A fire at a Rockford church Monday morning caused $3 million in damages. The Rockford Fire Department responded to St. James Rockford Church, 428 N. 2nd St., around 6:45 a.m. for reports of a commercial structure fire, according to the department. Firefighters found smoke showing from the roof of the church when they arrived. Flames were visible at the rear of the church along the peak of the roof. Firefighters entered the church to gain access to the attic, but they were forced to back out. Three firefighters were injured during the evacuation. They were transported to local hospitals and are reported to be in stable condition. The fire was brought under control within one hour. Crews remained on the scene for the next three hours to put out small fires trapped under the roof and within the attic's insulation. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.  

An investigation is ongoing in the city of Creal Springs, in Williamson County, after a fire started in the city's municipal building Monday night, August 8. Creal Springs Mayor Micah Morrow said she received a call around 5:48 p.m. that the municipal building, which contains multiple agencies like the police department and city offices, was on fire. Morrow believes it started in a storage attic. No one was hurt and none of the city's equipment was damaged, but the offices did have some water damage. Multiple agencies responded to the fire, including the Williamson County Fire Protection District and the City of Marion Fire Department. The State Fire Marshal arrived on the scene Monday night and is investigating.  

The Danville Fire Department responded to multiple fires over the weekend. According to Danville Fire, crews respond to the first fire on Aug. 6 at approximately 10:12 p.m. at 322 Harmon Street. Crews say the structure was heavily involved upon arrival but was quickly extinguished and reported no incidents or injuries. The house was vacant and a total loss, valued at $15,000. The second fire occurred also on Aug 6 at approximately 1:13 a.m. at 1022 Franklin Street. Upon arrival crews say they found the structure heavily involved in fire, that had extended to the house next door, at 1020 Franklin. Crews say both structures were vacant, and a total loss. Damages estimated at $25,000. The third fire happened on Aug. 7 at approximately 12:00 p.m. units responded to 926 Redden Court for an air conditioner on fire.  

The Plainfield Fire Protection District will be conducting a training exercise on Lockport Street in downtown Plainfield on Sunday August 14, 2022. The exercise will be starting at 7am and last approximately 1 hour. The exercise will require Lockport Street to be shut down both directions from Illinois Street to DesPlaines Street. Pedestrian traffic will still be open utilizing the sidewalk on the south side of Lockport Street. Anyone in the area of the exercise will notice an increase in fire, police, and PEMA activity. This exercise will allow the fire district to evaluate our tactics and skills in the event that a fire breaks out in our historic downtown business district. There will be a dedicated viewing area at the corner of Lockport Street and Illinois Street for any media or bystanders who want to watch the exercise.  

A Lexington transformer exploded Monday afternoon, sparking a three-alarm fire and sending those in the area running for cover, according to Lexington Fire Department. "I saw this big poof of smoke and then boom, big orange fireball," said witness Alexandra Schweitzer. The explosion happened just before 6:00 p.m. at an Eversource substation on Massachusetts Avenue. "Power turned off in the building for a brief second, followed by a few loud explosions. I immediately went in the kitchen and turned off the gas," said Sorabh Kapoor, owner of Clay Oven Restaurant. Firefighters rushed to the scene working to keep the flames from spreading to nearby buildings, fighting the blaze in over 90-degree heat. "The volume of fire you dealt with is maybe one or two alarms worth of fire, but we brought in three," said Lexington Fire Department Chief Derek Sencabaugh.  

With firefighter shortages emerging in Bedford County, one man decided he wanted to get involved in the action, regardless of his age. Rusty Mansel recently received his "Firefighter 1" course completion certificate at the age of 67 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and the Virginia Fire Services Board, all with no prior firefighting experience. Mansel retired five years ago, but before he started his new role with the Big Island Volunteer Fire Company, he says he volunteered with the local search and rescue team, which is when he began to notice emergency responder shortages. "There's just not that many volunteers, so after a couple of years of doing that, I asked my chief, I said, ‘what do I need to do to help more?' And he said, ‘well, I need you to take Firefighter 1,'" Mansel said.  

VIDEO: A Detroit firefighter was trapped for hours as other firefighters rushed to get him out after a home collapsed. No major injuries were reported. Detroit firefighters believed they were dealing with a suspected serial arsonist. The same crew had been called to three vacant houses on West Hollywood Avenue just that week. On July 28, there was another fire the crew had under control from the outside. Then three veteran firefighters from the crew went inside to check for hot spots and to see if any people were inside. Local 4 investigators were told the first floor was dangerously unstable. The three firefighters were checking out the second level when they heard a crack. The floor collapsed right out from under them, all three falling down to the first floor.  

PHOTOS: In a garage near Littlerock sits the second firetruck to ever be used by Olympia firefighters, among other decommissioned trucks, gear and most importantly, a couple dozen firefighters who have worked to create this makeshift museum. Retired firefighters continued to trickle in throughout the late morning. On their badges, Tumwater, West Thurston, Olympia, Seattle and beyond are represented. Despite being from all different places, the conversation was flowing as easily as the coffee. The "living museum," as it is referred to by West Thurston Fire Authority Chief Robert Scott, was organized by Larry Dibble, former Olympia fire chief, who said his mission statement for the place is to "keep tradition alive." It is hosted by property owner Ray McDonald, also an alumnus of Olympia Fire.