On December 7th, 1736, the first organized fire department in the United States "Union Fire Company" was formed in the state of Pennsylvania by Benjamin Franklin. In a Pennsylvania Gazette article of 1733 Franklin noted how fires were being fought in Philadelphia. "Soon after it [a fire] is seen and cry'd out, the Place is crowded by active Men of different Ages, Professions and Titles who, as of one Mind and Rank, apply themselves with all Vigilance and Resolution, according to their Abilities, to the hard Work of conquering the increasing fire." Franklin suggested a "Club or Society of active Men belonging to each Fire Engine; whose Business is to attend all Fires with it whenever they happen." Visit Franklin's Philadelphia to read more about the rich history of the start of fire fighting in Pennsylvania.
A massive fire at an apartment building in New London forced dozens of people to find places to stay for the night.
The blaze broke out around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday on Willets Avenue and sent three people to area hospitals. Two of those hospitalized were being treated for smoke inhalation.
More than 80 firefighters were called to fight the blaze and rescue victims. Fire officials said rescuers helped six to eight people escape the flames.
Investigators are working to find out what started a three-alarm fire that resulted in major damage Wednesday morning at two Rancho Cordova auto dismantling businesses.
The blaze, which was reported at about 3:40 a.m., occurred at Happy Auto Parts and V and O Auto Dismantler, which share a building in the 3400 block of Sunrise Boulevard.
The fire was raging when firefighters arrived, forcing crews to take a defensive stance.
Mar. 9--SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A fire that ripped into a historic three-story building in Franklin Square and injured a city firefighter was likely started by an electrical malfunction in a second-floor laundry room, fire officials said Monday.
The smoky blaze in the late 19th-century Victorian mansion started minutes before midnight Friday, and was reported by a resident.
A Nevada County captain passed out behind the wheel of a fire engine on March 7, according to The Union of Grass Valley.
Nevada County Consolidated Fire Chief Tim Fike told the newspaper that Capt. Bruce Niederberger was en route to the hospital to pickup his partner at approximately 10:30 a.m. when he "started to get tunnel vision."
"He passed out" after turning on the siren and jamming his foot on the brake, Fike said.
