The Pharr City Commission approved a proclamation declaring the week of July 18-22, 2022 as the 100th Anniversary of the Pharr Fire Department. The Pharr Fire Department is one of the oldest serving fire departments in Hidalgo County, Texas. It started as an all-volunteer fire department in July 1922 and today it operates as a combination department with 83 career full-time staff and 20 volunteer members. Pharr Fire Chief Pilar Rodriguez and members from the department accepted the proclamation during the city meeting. "We thank you for recognizing our service to the citizens of Pharr over the past 100 years and our dedication to preserving life and protecting property," said Chief Rodriguez.  

On Monday, a SpaceX booster test ended with an explosion on the Orbital Launch Pad triggering a fire near the base of the launch tower, as detailed in a recent video posted by NASASpaceflight. The Booster 7 test was conducted in preparation for a future Starship orbital test flight in Cameron County, Texas, according to the NASA video of the incident. "The methane-fueled Raptor engine has a complicated sequence of events that must unfold precisely in order for it to ignite, and SpaceX was testing the 'spin start' portion of this ignition sequence when the anomaly occurred" stated a portion of an Ars Technica report on the incident. "Something must have caused methane propellant to ignite, with the ambient oxygen in the air serving as an oxidizer, inside the vehicle," the report continues.  

One man is dead after a house fire in South Dallas, officials confirmed to NBC 5. Just before 7 p.m., Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived at a residence along the 2600 block of Hudspeth Avenue that was engulfed in flames. People at the scene reported that someone may be inside the house, leading firefighters to move forward with a search and rescue mission. During the course of operations, firefighters found the body of an elderly man inside the home who was pronounced dead at the scene. Firefighters continued to work the fire until it was fully extinguished within 30 minutes of their arrival. An adult male and female were displaced as a result of the fire and the American Red Cross has been called to assist them.  

San Antonio firefighters battled heavy flames at an auto repair shop and storage facility late Tuesday night. The fire was called in around 11 p.m. at an auto repair shop in the 11500 block of Gaylord Drive, not far from Highway 16 on the city's South Side. Firefighters said they arrived to find heavy flames showing with several vehicles on fire. The building and the grass around it also were in flames, fire officials said. The SAFD said they had to run a long line to get water to the fire. They managed to knock the fire out quickly and without incident. No injuries were reported. Arson and fire investigation teams are now trying to determine the exact cause. A damage estimate was not immediately disclosed.  

Temple crews quickly extinguish a fire at a commercial building. Temple Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 6:47 p.m. Tuesday after a report of a structure fire in the area of Highway 36 and Barnhardt Road. Crews arrived and found smoke and flames coming from a single-story commercial structure. The facility is located at 2507 E State Highway 36, and is believed to be a cabinet shop. This incident was reported by a passerby, as nobody was present at the time of the incident. No injuries have been reported. The Temple Police Department and Temple EMS also responded to the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  

The Smith County Fire Marshal's office issued its first citation Tuesday in the wake of a recent burn ban after a grass and woods fire broke out in Lindale. The citation was given to the property owner at a location off County Road 35 (Lavender Road) after it was discovered the owner was burning four brush piles Tuesday morning. The property owner was required to stay with firefighters until the fires were completely out. By 2:08 p.m. the fires had gotten out of control and, according to Smith County Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Chad Hogue, the fires had spread behind neighboring residents' properties, across a pasture and burned about a quarter mile down County Road 492 (Ann Campbell Road). The fire burned 20 round bales of hay, threatened houses and damaged two vehicles.  

On Monday, a SpaceX booster test ended with an explosion on the Orbital Launch Pad triggering a fire near the base of the launch tower, as detailed in a recent video posted by NASASpaceflight. The Booster 7 test was conducted in preparation for a future Starship orbital test flight in Cameron County, Texas, according to the NASA video of the incident. "The methane-fueled Raptor engine has a complicated sequence of events that must unfold precisely in order for it to ignite, and SpaceX was testing the 'spin start' portion of this ignition sequence when the anomaly occurred" stated a portion of an Ars Technica report on the incident. "Something must have caused methane propellant to ignite, with the ambient oxygen in the air serving as an oxidizer, inside the vehicle," the report continues.  

The new mental health crisis number 988 launches Saturday, according to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The number will be available 24/7 for people to anonymously call or text trained counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States. In 2020, nearly 46,000 people died by suicide -- one death every 11 minutes. The new three-digit dialing code is intended to be easier to access and remember than the 1-800-SUICIDE number, according to the 988 messaging website. "Nonstop through my entire shift calls are coming through," said Dana, who works at Community Crisis Services in Hyattsville. At the crisis center, call takers like Dana communicate with people in crisis, and their conversations can be life-saving.  

A pair of large fires in the late-1870s in Alpena altered the shape of the newly incorporated city and the development afterward remains visible today thanks to tougher building requirements inspired by the blazes. The fires not only shifted future development from Alpena's north side to the other side of the Thunder Bay River, but also led to the establishment of the city Fire Department and motivated what was then called the Alpena Common Council to draft and implement new zoning and building codes to help bolster safety. Still, many people suffered loss of property, loss of livelihoods, and even lost their lives because of the intensity of the fires. Alpena incorporated as a city on March 29, 1871. Less than a month later, a large fire broke out in the business district along the north shore of the Thunder Bay River.  

The New Britain Fire Department and Local 992 have come to an agreement to randomly drug test staff members. The agreement will test a third of the department yearly. That is about 45 people of the 130 on staff. Chief Raul Ortiz says it's a robust and extensive policy. In January, a New Britain firefighter died at his Southington home. His cell phone had drug-coded text messages with a colleague, investigators said. This later revealed a drug problem within the department. A lieutenant was fired and seven more firefighters, including two lieutenants, were suspected of drug activity. "It's something we've been working on since I got here about four years and it really has taken a life of its own in the last six months to a year," the chief said. "Most of our members, if not all of our members, want this kind of policy in place for protections."  

VIDEO: An Ohio man is proving even though his body is different, he can do what everyone else can and more. Four times a week, Mike Diehl walks into Powerstation Gym, loads up the rack, concentrates on his breathing, and engages his core while working out. He continues to push the limit with every press, pull and squat. With only one arm, he's already stronger than most. He holds the title of the second strongest disabled man in the world. In March of 2015, the former firefighter was in an accident on duty and his arm was crushed by a firetruck. Four months later, he became an amputee. It was only about three and a half years ago when Diehl decided to start competing in the sport of disabled strongman. He competes in a class with others who only have use of one arm.