An investigation is underway after a fire broke out at the Watermere at Frisco Independent Senior Living Community. The fire was contained in the apartment of origin on the second floor due to the activation of the fire sprinkler system. Dispatch was alerted by the alarm company of a ‘water flow' alarm at 9:36 a.m. The first unit arrived at the four-story building three minutes later. Frisco fire responded with two engines, one ladder truck, and one battalion chief on the due to it being what firefighters deem an "alarm investigation in a specialty risk structure." During the investigation by the first arriving unit, smoke was found in the building. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Utilities to the apartments damaged by fire or water were shut off.  

A fire that broke out at around 1 a.m. Tuesday heavily damaged G.W. Carver Middle School in the 1600 block of JJ Flewellen Road and sent officials scrambling to make sure more than 450 sixth- through eighth-grade students have a place to go when classes start next month. The first Waco Fire Department crews on the scene saw heavy smoke coming from the school and after entering the front of the building encountered fire inside the front offices. Nearly three-dozen firefighters battled the flames through the early morning hours and crews remained on the scene to watch for hot spots. The cause of the fire hasn't been determined. Fire officials say the building was secured and there's no evidence anyone was inside. No injuries were reported.  

Irving firefighters worked to put out a 2-alarm house fire in intense summer heat Monday afternoon. Firefighters were called to a home on the 500 block of Farine Drive just before 12:30 p.m. after a fire broke out inside the home. From Texas Sky Ranger, it appeared as though the fire was mostly contained to an area near the back of the home. The Irving Fire Department said 13 pieces of emergency equipment were used to battle the fire. In addition to flames, firefighters were facing intense summer heat Monday where forecasted highs were in the triple-digits. There were no reported injuries to either firefighters or residents. The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.  

A woman's body was found badly burned after a structure burned to the ground in southeast Travis County on Thursday, according to the county sheriff's office. Deputies received a 911 call around 12:34 p.m. for a deceased person call in the 8800 block of Roadrunner View Road. When authorities arrived, they found a woman's body with severe burns in the debris of a structure that had burned to the ground and was no longer on fire. Authorities said Travis County Sheriff's Office detective and fire marshals have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the woman's death. Due to the unusual nature of the incident, the case is being worked as a suspicious death, officials said. An autopsy was conducted on Friday by the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office and those results are pending.  

The West Mountain Volunteer Fire Department received a $19,800 grant to purchase new equipment. According to the fire department, these funds will help them upgrade their resources, which will help protect residents and firefighters. "One of our major upgrades is six new radios with 25-channel frequencies," said West Mountain VFD Fire Chief Steve Bayne. "Communication is the key to properly coordinating emergency response. It is essential for the safety of not only our department members but also when several departments are responding to an event, it is essential in synchronizing teamwork among the responders, keeping everyone safe." Texas A&M Forest Service said there is more demand for the fire department's help.  

It was a good weekend for the New Braunfels Fire Department. On Friday, firefighters, city staff and elected officials and residents gathered at the construction site on city-owned property on Water Lane for the department's future Fire Station No. 2 for a topping -out ceremony, which included an opportunity to sign the final roof beam before it was placed on the building. The $7.6 million fire station, approved by voters as part of the 2019 bond program, will include living quarters, a kitchen, a day room and a gym, and house four apparatus. Initially, the station will house an engine, a medical unit and a hazmat unit. "The approval of a project of this scope demonstrates (the community's) support of the organization," Fire Chief Patrick O'Connell said to ceremony attendees.  

VIDEO: Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of a blaze that destroyed one building and damaged another. Dispatchers got the call just after 12:15 a.m. regarding a fire at a vacant home in the 200 block of Vine Street. Firefighters spent more than an hour working to extinguish the blaze at the vacant home. According to a news release from the Shreveport Fire Department, the on-scene commander made the decision not to send any firefighters into the structure, and attempt to extinguish the fire from outside. Two more fire companies were requested to assist with bringing the fire under control. As the flames raged, the fire spread to the former Nissen and Associates building. That wood frame single-story building was the size of the house and was fully engaged in flames.  

All municipal workers for the City of New York will now be required to get vaccinated or submit to weekly coronavirus tests, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday. With the delta variant of the virus pushing the case number up, the mayor said it was time to take further steps to enhance the COVID safety protocols. "This is about our recovery. This is about what we need to do to bring back New York City," de Blasio said. "If someone is unvaccinated, unfortunately, they pose a threat to themselves but they also have a greater chance of spreading the disease." Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi said this is not just about beating COVID, it's specifically about defeating the delta variant. "In so many cases over the past 18 months, the helpers have been city staff, whether it's foster care workers, first responders, or teachers," Chokshi said. "We need these individuals to continue to serve and to do so in the safest way possible."  

PHOTO: On Monday, Logan City Fire Department held a ceremony to commemorate the addition of new fire trucks. Logan City Fire Chief Brad Hannig said the traditional "push-in" ceremony is a throwback to the bygone days of fighting fires. "Back in the history of fire departments, they used to have to push the wagon back in because they were horse drawn," he said. "It's kind of tradition when we get a new engine to push them in the station." The new semi-custom "triplets" cost around $600,000 each and took just shy of a year to build, Hannig said. Though it's unusual for a fire department to purchase three fire engines at a time, Hannig said having each fire engine exactly the same helps standardize equipment across stations. Hannig said the "bells and whistles" of the new fire engines will help increase the safety and efficiency of the firefighters.  

As the Olympics are being held in Tokyo, many people in Georgia are reminiscing on memories from the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta that were held 25 years ago. There were memorable moments from Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic torch to sprinter Michael Johnson winning multiple gold medals and gymnast Kerri Strug winning gold despite a foot injury, but there was also one moment that many won't forget: The moment a bomb ripped through Centennial Olympic Park. Revelers were enjoying the festive atmosphere when, around 1:20 a.m. on July 27, an explosion rocked the park. Two people died and another 110 were injured. The convicted bomber, Eric Robert Rudolph, targeted the park using a bomb hidden in a backpack. Security guard Richard Jewell, who was having trouble with rowdy college kids, went for backup and found Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent Tom Davis. When they returned to the area where the kids had been, Jewell spotted an abandoned backpack.  

Since 1980, retired and active firefighters from Station 6 on Purchase Street have gathered every few years to take group pictures along the staircase inside the fire house. Hairstyles and fashions have changed between the framed photos, but the formation of firefighters along the stairs has remained constant. Though the firefighters plan to continue the tradition, they posed along the Station 6 stairs for the last time. Next month, the station will close and the new South End Public Safety Center will open. "It's sad," said firefighter Anthony Poente, who has worked at the station for 24 years. It's a place where many firefighters have lived and it's where he was when his sons were born. Poente said while most retirees still live in the area, at least two made the trip from Florida for not just the photo, but also the "last hurrah" before the station closes.