The city of Mount Pleasant, Texas, is morning the loss of fire Capt. Robby Bragg Bragg, considered a "valued member" of the city's Fire Department for 28 years, died Thursday night from injuries sustained in an accident while visiting friends in the Tyler, Texas, area, the city said Friday in a news release. "Capt. Bragg was dedicated to serving and protecting the community and equally dedicated to the colleagues he led and worked beside with a big heart, incredible skill and expertise, and always, great courage," the release states. In 2006, Bragg was given the Life Saving Award for rescuing a citizen from a burning structure. "There are no words that can describe the impact of his loss upon our department, and in our community," said Fire Chief Larry McRae.  

VIDEOS: McKinney firefighters are investigating the cause of a large fire in Downtown on Sunday night. According to officials, the fire began just after midnight on North McDonald Street. Firefighters initially began fighting the blaze at the New Outreach Church of God in Christ, located at 506 Wilcox Street. Several nearby homes were evacuated before the fire spread to a nearby house. Soon after, a second fire broke out at Chicken Express, located nearby at 411 S. McDonald Street. Officials said a three-alarm response was requested, and firefighters received assistance from Anna, Melissa, Plano, Fairview, Princeton, Frisco, Lowery Crossing, Weston, Allen, and Westminster. The blaze destroyed the church on Wilcox as well as a home and a restaurant on North McDonald, officials said.  

VIDEO: A Sunday night fire has destroyed the First Baptist Church in Overton according to David Chenault with Rusk County Office of Emergency Management. Hot spots from the fire Sunday night flared back up Monday morning after the Overton and New London VFD remained at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center continuing to work hot spots, according to Rusk County OEM. Multiple agencies responded Sunday night including Overton Fire Department, Overton Police Department, New London VFD, Henderson Fire Department, Smith County ESD2, Arp VFD, Jackson Heights VFD, SCESD 2 command staff, Sabine Fire & Rescue, Rusk County Sheriff's Office, CHRISTUS EMS, Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department, Crims Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, Oncor, City of Overton Public Services, and the Troup Police Department.  

VIDEO: The Harker Heights Fire Department traveled to West this week with a shadowbox to honor one of their fallen co-workers, Cole Simmons. Speaking with Cole Simmon's mom, Christa, the main feeling she has seeing her son's display is pride. "Nobody disliked Cole. He was such a sweet boy," said Christa. Simmons always knew her son Cole was meant to help others. "He was such a people person. I don't know why I knew, but of course, his short three months he was there he touched so many people," said Simmons. In August 2021 Cole worked as a firefighter/EMT for the Harker Heights Fire Department. Three months later he passed away in a car crash. "He just had so much more life to live and share with everybody, but I'm glad I'm able to have his things and have his memory," said Simmons. "I'm just grateful for the 23 years I did have with him."  

Nearly 100 San Antonio firefighters swarmed a narrow neighborhood street to extinguish a double house fire near downtown, according to San Antonio Fire Department. The fire happened just before 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the 600 block of W. Elmira. Joe Arrington, the public information officer for SAFD, said when fire crews arrived, they saw heavy fire coming from both of the homes, which are vacant. The scene posed a challenge for fire crews with narrow streets and gusty winds, according to SAFD. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to put out the flames. It's unknown how the fire started, but Arrington said it's likely the flames originated in one home and spread to another, due to close proximity. Both of the homes sustained heavy fire damage, but no injuries were reported.  

VIDEO: Firefighters on Bolivar Peninsula had their hands full with a large boat fire overnight. The boat -- possibly a ferry -- went up in flames at a dock on 16th Street. Bolivar firefighters ran out of water so Santa Fe sent at least two water tankers. Galveston County said limited resources forced them to declare the area an emergency zone. Crews worked to keep the flames from spreading to a nearby propane tank. There are reports fuel may have spilled into the water. Multiple ambulances responded to the scene but there was no word of injuries. The cause of the fire will be investigated.  

VIDEO: McKinney firefighters are investigating the cause of a large fire in Downtown on Sunday night. According to officials, the fire began just after midnight on North McDonald Street. Firefighters initially began fighting the blaze at a church on Wilcox. Several nearby homes were evacuated before the fire spread to a nearby house. Soon after, a second fire broke out at a nearby restaurant. Officials said a three-alarm response was requested, and firefighters received assistance from Anna, Melissa, Plano, Fairview, Princeton, Frisco, Lowery Crossing, Weston, Allen, and Westminster. The blaze destroyed the church on Wilcox as well as a home and a restaurant on North McDonald, officials said. According to officials, no injuries have been reported as a result of the fire.  

VIDEO: After months of training, Lexington Firefighter class number 70 is ready to serve the city. This class has a unique story. For the first time in the department's 151 years of service, a female recruit will follow in her father's footsteps and become a Lexington Firefighter. In most cases, it's the son who follows in his father's firefighter boots. 20-year-old Hunter Martin is one of those sons. "I'm thankful to be here and I'm honored that they gave me a chance being so young, and it feels great to follow in his footsteps," said Hunter Martin. His father is Major Marcus Martin. "Hopefully, following in my footsteps to enjoy his whole career as I have makes you feel very proud," said Major Martin. The flag holder for this class is Katherine Boyd. She's making department history as the first daughter to follow her dad as a Lexington firefighter.  

Remington Embry, who graduated from Surry Community College's first offering of the Firefighter Career & College Promise program, was recently hired as a full-time firefighter with Central Surry Volunteer Fire Department in Dobson. The statewide Career & College Promise (CCP) program gives juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn college credentials, tuition-free, while they are still in high school. "Remington Embry is a hardworking, dedicated student and firefighter. He always strives to better himself and expand his knowledge of the fire service," said Ian Harrell, director of firefighter and rescue programs at Surry Community College. "Surry Community College is very proud to offer the firefighter CCP program to all of our local students. It is a remarkable opportunity for them to learn a career path in a job market, which is growing by leaps and bounds in this part of the state."  

VIDEO: Dozens of people gathered in Hastings Sunday afternoon to learn about a local Black church that was set on fire over a century ago. Nobody was ever charged in connection with the fire. The Hastings community came to First Presbyterian Church to remember history that happened blocks away. Building Remembrance for Reconciliation, nonprofit, organized the event called "Breaking the Silence: Remembering Brown's Chapel AME." Davu Seru's family roots run deep in Hastings. In the 1800s, his family, The Wallace's, settled in Minnesota. "I'm here to honor my ancestors. Without them, there would be no me," Seru said. In July of 1892, Seru's ancestors opened up Brown's Chapel African Methodist Episcopal congregation (AME) in Hastings. The church became a pillar and safe space in the black community. "Former enslaved people were coming up from the south and elsewhere to make a life too. A lot of racialized violence happened," Seru said.  

In late October 1947, residents of this small town on the Blue Hill Peninsula watched as ominous gray smoke rose high into the skies over Mount Desert Island. The summer had been bone dry—the state had only received about half its normal precipitation since the end of June—and a single careless spark might ignite a conflagration closer to home. "The terrible fire that destroyed a greater part of Bar Harbor was visible from many points in Brooklin," recounts a history of the Brooklin Fire Department, and "made the people here realize that some action should be taken." In short order, the townspeople organized nightly fire patrols on key sections of public and private roads. These patrols ultimately led to the formation of the volunteer fire department, which celebrated its 75th anniversary on October 15 with a community barbecue, lobster bake and, perhaps not surprisingly, a cake without candles.