VIDEO: The Houston Fire Department responded to a large abandoned building fire along the North Freeway early Saturday morning. At about 4:45 a.m., HFD responded to a building fire and found smoke coming from the roof at the Vent Sports Lounge at 12320 North Freeway. Officials say the overpass near the restaurant was closed due to visibility issues but has since been reopened. At about 6:45 a.m., the fire was controlled and put out, although HFD says there were issues making sure that the gas was turned off which CenterPoint is investigating. HFD said that the building had been abandoned and it is unclear what led to the fire. According to HFD, the fire caused an estimated $750,000 worth of damage.  

As Corpus Christi Fire Department cadets were recognized by friends, family and city officials Thursday evening at Del Mar College, one word kept coming up: pioneer. The 22 future firefighters were celebrated for their completion of an innovative paramedic training program. The cadets were the first people in the country to attempt a simultaneous, expedited emergency medical technician and paramedic training course. EMT and paramedic certifications are typically offered as separate courses, one after the other. The Corpus Christi Fire Department requires cadets to earn both certifications in addition to firefighter certification. The new Del Mar College program cut the timeline by at least three months. "This model is the future of how fire departments across the country will be training future firefighters and paramedics," CCFD Chief Robert Rocha said.  

Six people were nearly trapped in their Northwest Side home after it went up in flames Sunday afternoon, according to the San Antonio Fire Department. The high flames posed a challenge for firefighters as well; however, everyone was still able to get out safely. Firefighters were called around 6 p.m. Sunday to the home in the 5000 block of Kenton Harbor. When fire crews arrived, flames were seen growing rapidly. There was limited visibility and lots of fire and heat, according to SAFD. The six people were able to escape on their own from the home and firefighters went to work. Eventually, they were able to tame the flames. "The fire grew very rapidly, nearly trapped them inside. They were lucky to get out," one SAFD official said. At least two people were taken by EMS to an area hospital for treatment of injuries, which were deemed non-life-threatening.  

Megan Schuth gets it. It's the obvious question, one she's been asked repeatedly. She's struggled to answer it herself. "I was at a class in Huntsville for fire executive management training and professional etiquette," said Schuth, who is a battalion chief in the Denton Fire Department. "I casually worked it into conversation that I'm graduating next week. ‘Oh, are you getting your master's degree?' ‘No, I'm getting my PhD.' The one question that everybody asks is, ‘Why?'" Why is an assistant fire chief and battalion chief in the Denton Fire Department getting a PhD? As she admits, a doctorate provides little benefit to a career in the fire service. "I went to National Fire Academy last October," Schuth said. "One of my instructors was the fire chief of Pittsburgh, and he had his PhD. I told him I was trying to finish my dissertation, and I get asked all the time, why? He said, being Black in the fire service, he always felt like he had something to prove. That kind of resonated with me."  

Rain and extreme heat are expected to continue in the San Antonio area for quite some time, prompting firefighters to suit up. The only thing that will change is how they respond to calls. On hot days, the number of crews that respond is increased to rotate crews faster, preventing heat-related illnesses. "When it's hot and humid like this, it obviously takes a greater toll on the body. So, we want to get those crews rotated out faster," said SAFD Public Information Officer Joe Arrington. Arrington said on a typical day, crews rotate every 30 minutes on average. Throw in some upper 90-degree weather and that drops down to about 15 minutes. The faster rotations and larger responses also allow firefighters to rehabilitate for longer before going back to work.  

The widow of a Fort Worth firefighter who passed away three years ago just got some unexpected news from city leaders. It's been nearly three years since fire captain Keven Teague died of cancer. He was a 24-year veteran of the fire department. His wife, Deidre, filed a claim after his death with hopes to receive his benefits. But initially, the claim was denied by the city's legal team, citing that the firefighter's death was not related to his occupation, and therefore his beneficiaries would not be eligible to receive anything. According to the firefighters association, Teague died from pancreatic cancer related to smoke inhalation. Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis notified Deidre Teague on Friday afternoon of the City of Fort Worth's decision to accept the claim as an occupational illness, granting the additional benefits to her and their children.  

A massive fire destroyed a manufacturing plant in Spring Hope in Nash County late Saturday night and early Sunday, officials said. The fire started about 11:30 p.m. at JHRG Manufacturing, which makes protector fabrics, including body armor, according to Spring Hope police and fire officials. Several agencies eventually were able to control of fire, but the building was destroyed, according to Spring Hope fire officials. Video from the scene showed flames leaping into the air along with massive smoke clouds. There were also crumbled building walls from the fire in downtown Spring Hope, which is about 8 miles northeast of Zebulon. JRHG produces ballistic vests, body armor and protective clothing, according to McRae's Blue Book.  

PHOTOS: Minutes can matter when Enid's firefighters are responding to calls reporting a blaze or smoke. Because a fire could've already grown exponentially once first responders from Enid Fire Department arrive, they need to know how much flow of water is within nearby fire hydrants, said new EFD Chief Jason Currier. This year, while conducting annual flow tests at the more than 2,600 hydrants within the city of Enid, EFD began placing reflective, plastic rings on the hydrants to show how many gallons per minute (GPM) of water flowed from them. "By the time somebody sees (the fire), it's already really going," Currier said. "It takes us time to get there and set up, and not having to worry about finding another fire hydrant saves us a lot of time. ... We know what to expect out of that fire hydrant."  

As Corpus Christi Fire Department cadets were recognized by friends, family and city officials Thursday evening at Del Mar College, one word kept coming up: pioneer. The 22 future firefighters were celebrated for their completion of an innovative paramedic training program. The cadets were the first people in the country to attempt a simultaneous, expedited emergency medical technician and paramedic training course. EMT and paramedic certifications are typically offered as separate courses, one after the other. The Corpus Christi Fire Department requires cadets to earn both certifications in addition to firefighter certification. The new Del Mar College program cut the timeline by at least three months. "This model is the future of how fire departments across the country will be training future firefighters and paramedics," CCFD Chief Robert Rocha said. Donovan Dillon participated in the program, earned his paramedic certification and is near completion of firefighter training.  

PHOTOS: It was described as the "largest and most elegantly appointed boarding house in the Northwest." Butte's Hale House, constructed in 1895, offered nearly 200 rooms "for the busy toilers of the great copper camp." The Anaconda Standard newspaper described it as modern in every way, constructed of brick and stone, with "everything to make it complete in drainage, light, heat and ventilation." It included "spacious halls, a good library well supplied with books, and all the leading magazines and dailies, free for the use of the guests." The great kitchen, reported the newspaper, contained "every device for convenience and cleanliness … and the immense dining room is a model of neatness." Opening night at the Hale House was a great social affair.  

Under the direction of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the Honolulu Hale will light up this week to commemorate National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) week. The Hale will be lit up in the colors of the city's ambulances (orange, blue, and white) from sunset on Sunday May, 15 to sunrise on Saturday, May, 21. With this year's theme being "EMS: Rising to the Challenge," to thank the professionals at EMS for their outstanding service. "I continue to be impressed with our City Emergency Medical Services heroes for their tireless service and dedication to serving the public," said Mayor Blangiardi. "Their commitment is nothing short of truly remarkable. I hope you will join us in celebrating the 47th Annual National Emergency Medical Services Week, a week that acknowledges the dedicated, determined, courageous individuals who respond to more than 100,000 emergency medical calls on O‘ahu annually. Thank you to our heroes at EMS for consistently Rising to the Challenge as the primary emergency medical responder, responsible for providing treatment and transport to one million residents and millions of visitors."