An overloaded power strip is believed to be the cause of a houseboat fire that killed a Scottsboro couple and their dog. John and Emily Bruce (AL.com news partner WHNT-19)
Posted on May 23, 2017 at 11:51 AM
By Ashley Remkus
Fire officials believe John Bruce, 79 and his 69-year-old wife, Emily, were sleeping on their houseboat at Goose Pond Colony Marina when the electrical fire broke out early Monday.
"The fire appeared to start in the main quarters sitting area of the houseboat, igniting a couch," Scottsboro Fire Chief Gene Necklaus said in a news release. "The majority of the fire damage was confined to this area, with the sleeping areas of the vessel experiencing significant smoke damage. The cause of ignition appears to be electrical in nature, starting from an overloaded power strip."
The couple's dog "Lou" also was killed in the fire.
Fire Chief Gene Necklaus identified the victims as John Phillips Bruce, 79 and Emily Nelson Bruce, 69.
Necklaus said the couple likely was sleeping when the fire broke out. The blaze may have awakened the Bruces, who attempted to escape before being overtaken by the smoke and heat, the chief said. Smoke inhalation is believed to be the cause of their deaths.
No working smoke alarms were found in the boat, which was the Bruces' full-time home.
"The fire department would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms wherever they sleep, including boats, campers and RVs," the chief said in the news release.
Thirty-five people have been killed by fires in Alabama this year, according to the State Fire Marshal.
Scottsboro police and fire departments along with the state fire marshal investigated the houseboat fire.
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Husband, wife and dog killed in Scottsboro houseboat fire
Updated on May 22, 2017 at 11:11 AM
By Ashley Remkus
A husband, wife and their dog were killed in a fire on their houseboat early this morning in Scottsboro.
Fire Chief Gene Necklaus identified the victims as John Phillips Bruce, 79 and Emily Nelson Bruce, 69.
Necklaus said authorities were notified of the fire around 4:15 a.m. when neighbors smelled smoke and called 911.
Necklaus said the victims lived on the houseboat at Goose Pond Colony.
"It wasn't recreational," the chief said. "That's where they lived."
No other injuries or damage were reported.
"There were no smoke detectors found in the boat," Necklaus said. "Investigators are looking into the cause."
Additional details haven't yet been released.
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Daughter shares memories of couple killed in houseboat fire
Updated at 09:01PM, May 22, 2017
SCOTTSBORO, Ala. - Scottsboro firefighters have identified the married couple killed in an early morning houseboat fire. They have been identified as John Phillips Bruce, 79, and Emily Nelson Bruce, 69.
Fire investigators say it appears the couple died from smoke inhalation.
Photo Gallery 
The fire started around 4 a.m. on a boat at Goose Pond Colony. Firefighters tell us the people inside a neighboring houseboat called authorities when they noticed the fire.
The family's golden retriever also died in the fire.
The boat is registered in Tennessee.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Moving to Scottsboro was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for the Bruces.
"I don't think one could have coped without the other. They loved each other that much," said their daughter, Mary Alexander.
For years, John and Emily Bruce dreamed of what life would be like after retirement.
"They owned a business in Tuscaloosa called Ms. Emily's tomatoes. They grew hydroponic tomatoes," said Alexander.
But living on the water was something Emily always wanted to do. "They bought them a house boat and came up to Scottsboro and been here ever since."
Their daughter never would have thought that two years later, her parents' dream would end in a nightmare. "I live in Chattanooga, so the police came to my house boat and let me know that there had been a fire."
Then they told her the news that both her parents were dead. "It's going to be hard moving on without them, but I'm glad that they're together."
Both were well known at Goose Pond Colony and well-loved.
Now, the Bruces will be remembered for their big personalities. "He was a Walmart greeter here in Scottsboro. Never met a stranger in his life."
And kind spirits. "She just.. she loved everybody. Anything you needed, she'd give you the shirt off her back."
The couple may have only lived in Scottsboro a couple of years but they were clearly part of the community.
and their loss will continue to be felt. "As strange as it sounds, I'm looking forward to hearing a lot of the stories that everyone else has to tell me, that knew them in ways I didn't, because like I said they never met strangers.
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2 killed in Scottsboro houseboat fire died of smoke inhalation
Monday, May 22nd 2017, 7:50 am EDT
Tuesday, May 23rd 2017, 1:04 pm EDT
By Amber Eady, Digital Content Producer
and Jake Berent, Reporter
SCOTTSBORO, AL (WAFF) -
Officials with the Scottsboro Fire Department tell us two people died as a result of a houseboat fire at the Goose Pond Marina on Ed Hembree Drive on Monday morning.
The victims were identified as John and Emily Bruce. John Phillips Bruce was 79-years-old. Emily Nelson Bruce was 69-years-old. Investigators tell us their dog Lou, a golden retriever also died in the fire.
Officials also say the approximately 60-foot vessel was docked at Goosepond Colony Marina, Dock 6 and it was their primary residence. We know the fire was contained to one houseboat.
Investigators say the fire appeared to start in the main quarters sitting are of the houseboat, igniting a couch. The majority of the fire damage was confined to that area, with the sleeping areas of the vessel experiencing significant smoke damage. The cause of ignition appears to be electrical in nature, starting from an overloaded power strip.
Officials tell us the couple appeared to be asleep when the fire started and may have been awakened by the fire and attempting to escape the boat before being overtaken by the smoke and heat.
The cause of death for both victims is believed to be smoke inhalation.
The Scottsboro Fire Department Chief says the fire was contained inside the boat and firefighters fought the fire from the shore/dock.
The 911 call came from a neighboring boater who smelled smoke.
No working smoke alarms were found in the houseboat.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) –
A driver pulled from a burning car by passing drivers after an accident on Highway 146 in Spartanburg County has died from injuries suffered in the crash.
A car and truck collided head on Monday morning on Highway 146 about two miles east on Woodruff.
Troopers say the driver of the car died from his injuries at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
The coroner says Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Grace Chapel Road was killed.
Kleckner was a track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School.
Roebuck firefighters were called to assist in the accident where crews from Hobbysville, Woodruff, Cross Anchor and Enoree had responded.
Both drivers were out of the vehicles by the time firefighters arrived, according to the Roebuck Fire Department.
A Hobbysville firefighter says one man pulled the driver out of the burning car to a safe distance from the vehicle. A second person who stopped performed CPR on him.
Troopers say Kleckner and a 42-year-old Enoree man crashed head on. The other driver was injured and taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
Trooper Joe Hovis said charges are pending.
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A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School in Simpsonville was killed in a fiery crash Monday on his way to school, according to authorities and school officials.
Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Enoree, died of his injuries after a collision at the intersection of Cross Anchor and Kilgore Bridge roads in Woodruff, said Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger.
Troopers said Kleckner was struck head-on by a Dodge pickup about 6:10 a.m. Monday.
Both vehicles were on fire when multiple fire departments were dispatched to the scene, according to the Roebuck Fire District.
A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School was killed in a fiery crash in Spartanburg County Monday. (Photo: Provided/Roebuck Fire District)
Passing motorists were able to get Kleckner out of his vehicle before firefighters arrived, firefighters said.
In a Facebook post Monday afternoon, Southside Christian School said:
"We are so saddened to report that our beloved Frank Kleckner, long-time track coach and teacher, received fatal injuries during a fog-related traffic accident this morning, Please pray for Frank's wife and for the entire Kleckner family. Mrs. Kleckner wanted everyone to know that 'Coach Kleckner loved those kids.' Indeed he did. And we loved him."
The South Carolina Highway Patrol's accident reconstruction team was investigating the crash.
Charges are pending against the driver of the pickup truck —, a 42-year-old man from Enoree, said Trooper Joe Hovis.
A prayer service for Kleckner and his family was to be held at 7 p.m. Monday on the track of Sabre Stadium at the school on 2211 Woodruff Road. 
A longtime track coach and teacher at Southside Christian School was killed in a fiery crash in Spartanburg County Monday. (Photo: Provided/Roebuck Fire District)
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SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. —
An Upstate track coach and teacher died after a head-on crash Monday morning, school officials confirmed Monday.
The Spartanburg County Coroner's Office said Frank Robert Kleckner, 61, of Enoree was taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries.
Southside Christian School superintendent Sam Barfell posted a statement Monday afternoon on the school's Facebook page: "I am so saddened to report that our beloved Frank Kleckner; longtime track coach and teacher, received fatal injuries during a fog-related traffic accident on Monday morning.
"Please pray for Frank's wife, Dianne, and for the entire Kleckner family.
"We will share more information as it becomes available.
"Dianne wanted everyone to know, 'Coach Kleckner loved those kids.' Indeed he did. And we loved him. Mrs. Kleckner appreciated your support and asks that you respect her privacy for the next day or so.
"Please pray for the students, staff members and families of Southside Christian School."
Troopers said the crash was reported just before 8:15 a.m. on Cross Anchor Road about two and a half miles east of Woodruff.
The driver of a 2008 Dodge pickup truck was also taken to the hospital after the head-on collision with Kleckner's 1996 Toyota, troopers said.
There was no immediate word on the condition of the pickup driver.
The wreck is under investigation by the Highway Patrol.
A prayer service for Kleckner was held Monday night at the school's track. Another prayer service was held Tuesday morning inside the school's gym.
Southside parents were told exams are canceled because of Kleckner's death.
WYFF News 4 will have more information as this story develops.
Salman Abedi named as the Manchester suicide bomber - what we know about him
Police seal off Elsmore Road in Manchester and search an address further down the street in the aftermath of the Arena bombing
Martin Evans
Victoria Ward 23 May 2017 • 5:23pm
The suicide bomber who killed 22 people and injured dozens more at the Manchester Arena has been named as 22-year-old Salman Abedi.
Born in Manchester in 1994, the second youngest of four children his parents were Libyan refugees who came to the UK to escape the Gaddafi regime.
His parents were both born in Libya but appear to have emigrated to London before moving to the Fallowfield area of south Manchester where they have lived for at least ten years.
They had three sons in total and a daughter, who is now 18-years-old.
Abedi grew up in the Whalley Range area, just yards from the local girl's high school, which hit the headlines in 2015 when twins and grade A pupils, Zahra and Salma Halane, who were both aspiring medical students, left their homes and moved to Isil controlled Syria.
There were unconfirmed reports in Manchester that the whole family apart from the two elder sons recently returned to Libya.
Abedi was named by Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins on Tuesday.
"Can I start by once again passing on our heartfelt sympathies to all the innocent people caught up in last night's despicable act.
"We now have a team of specially-trained Family Liaison Officers who are supporting families.
We understand that feelings are very raw right now and people are bound to be looking for answers. However, now, more than ever, it is vital that our diverse communities in Greater Manchester stand togetherChief Con Ian Hopkins
"There has been much speculation and names of those who may have been killed in the media and social media. We accept that this is inevitable however we ask that people allow the police and coroner to release the names once the families are ready and appropriately supported.
"As you would expect the police response to this across Greater Manchester has been significant as we support people to go about their daily business.
"Part of this response has seen us arrest a 23-year-old man in connection with the attack and we have also carried out two warrants, one in Whalley Range and one in Fallowfield that included a controlled explosion to enable safe entry.
"We understand that feelings are very raw right now and people are bound to be looking for answers. However, now, more than ever, it is vital that our diverse communities in Greater Manchester stand together and do not tolerate hate.
"We have been visited by the Prime Minster and Home Secretary and we have taken them through the emergency response so far and what we plan to do in future days.
"I can confirm that the man suspected of carrying out last night's atrocity has been named as 22-year-old Salman Abedi. However, he has not yet been formally identified and I wouldn't wish, therefore, to comment further.
"The priority remains to establish whether he was acting alone or as part of a network."
Salman Abedi named as suicide bomber
As with the Westminster atrocity in March, the most pressing question is whether Abedi was a so-called "lone wolf" or part of a wider terror cell.
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Islamic State group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
While the working theory is that the perpetrator triggered the blast alone, the national police counter-terror network, assisted by MI5, are urgently piecing together his background to see whether he had any help in planning the outrage.
They will be looking to build a picture of the attacker's movements both in recent weeks and months as well as immediately before the strike.
Another priority will be to establish whether any further linked attacks or copycat incidents are planned.
It is likely that the bomber's communications will form a significant part of the inquiry, while investigators will also be checking if he was known to authorities in any way.
One area of focus will be examining the remnants of the device used in the attack as officers work to establish whether the perpetrator built it himself or had help.
As well as seeking to identify any potential accomplices in Britain, authorities will also be looking into the possibility of any link to international groups.
In the first hours after an attack on this scale investigators were sifting through a number of theories as they work to settle on the most likely lines of inquiry.
The official threat level from international terrorism stands at severe in the UK - indicating that an attack is "highly likely". It has stood at this level - the second highest of five - since August 2014.
There has so far been no indication that this will change in the wake of the events in Manchester.
Shashank Joshi, senior research fellow at security think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said: "The most important point is that police have found the body of what they believe to be the lone suicide attacker.
"If they have identified him, they will be able to begin establishing his movements, his contacts, and his background.
"This, in turn, will help establish whether he acted alone, in concert with a small number of other conspirators, or as part of a larger network.
"The method of attack is likely to downgrade the likelihood that this was perpetrated by a far-right individual or group, as they have not typically used suicide bombers.
"We know that both al Qaida and Islamic State seek to conduct attacks in the UK, and that the UK's terror threat level has been at 'severe' for three years."
Commentators also pointed out that the Manchester attack took place on the fourth anniversary of the killing of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich, south-east London.
Chris Phillips, the former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme: "That may be significant as well."
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Police have confirmed a 23-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack.
Muslims cannot be trusted and no Mulsim should be allowed to enter non-Muslim countries. The bigger concern is not necessarily the suicide bombers, but the potential for sabotage of our food supplies. The Muslims can easily contaminate our food and water. Have you thought about that Muslim server who may have put something in the food you just ordered? Just think about the potential damages that these people can cause if they are left uncontrolled and unchecked. Wake up! Leave aside that "cute" animal video clip or the snapchat crap and smell the real danger.
Linseed oil soaked rags cause house fire
by KTVL Staff
Klamath Falls, Ore. —
Fire crews responded to a fully engulfed home on Madison Street in Klamath Falls.
Firefighters say, the fire was caused by linseed oil soaked rags that spontaneously combusted and sent flames through the home, car and threatened a neighboring home.
One person in the home was treated for difficulty breathing.
Fire crews say there's an estimated $100,000 in damage to the home $40,000 in the contents burned.
Firefighters say, the smoke alarms inside the home were not working at the time of the fire.
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Officials Warn of Spontaneous Combustion Risk of Linseed Oil and Other Common Household Products
By ABC NEWSJul 25, 2016, 8:38 AM ET
Courtesy of Shannon Priddy
WATCH Officials Warn of Spontaneous Combustion Risk of Linseed Oil and Other Common Household Products
Summer is a popular time for home improvement projects, but officials are warning of a danger that many people may not be aware of until it’s too late: spontaneous combustion of common household products used to finish furniture and decks.
Oil-based wood stains and linseed oil can combust and burn even without any spark to initiate the fire, officials say.
Shannon Priddy’s Gaithersburg, Maryland, house was destroyed in 2014 after she says contractors left rags soaked in wood stain under her deck.
“We had no idea that anything like this could happen,” Priddy, who was not injured in the incident, told ABC News.
Spontaneous Combustion: Linseed Oil, Common Household Product, Can Burst Into Flames
Courtesy of Shannon PriddyThe Spontaneous Combustion Risk of Linseed Oil, Other Common Products
To demonstrate how easily this can happen, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue in Maryland teamed up with “GMA” on the Lookout to conduct an experiment. We put linseed oil on some rags and put them into a box and we waited.
Donnie Boyd, a Montgomery County fire inspector, explained just how combustion occurs when linseed oil is left on a cotton rag.
“It actually heats up as it dries. It's a chemical reaction,” he said. “So it spontaneously combusts once it reaches its ignition temperature.”
Two hours into the experiment, a probe recorded a temperature of 204 degrees inside the box, and after four and a half hours, smoke appeared. Nearly six hours into the experiment, the box was burning.
Boyd said ignorance of -- or disregard for -- the issue has contributed to many fires in Montgomery County. He urged everyone to carefully read the labels on products used to do housework and home improvement projects.
The label of the container used for the "GMA" on the Lookout experiment read, "CAUTION! CAN CAUSE SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. Boiled Linseed Oil generates heat as it dries, which can cause the spontaneous combustion of materials contacted by this product. Oily rags, waste, and other oily materials contacted by Boiled Linseed Oil can cause spontaneous combustion fires if not handled properly.”
Homeowners should also keep rags that have absorbed oils, such as linseed oil, in well-covered metal cans and make sure the rags are thoroughly dried before collection or transport.
It’s a message that Priddy hopes to spread.
“I would never want it to happen to anyone else,” she said.
TOLEDO, Ohio (13abc Action News) - We have new information linked to the Andover Apartment Fire.
Investigators with the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department have ruled the cause of the fire is undetermined.
On Thursday, May 18, a fire started at the Andover apartments. It spread quickly destroying 36 units. Firefighters say the fire spread due to a lack of firewalls in the attic and high winds.
Everyone made it out safely. According to a report from TFRD, the fire started on an unenclosed porch and exterior balcony.
The insurance company representing the Andover Apartments is conducting their own investigation. According to the insurance company, damage estimates for the buildings and the contents tops $15 million.
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Investigation continues into S. Toledo apartment fire
Blaze destroyed three buildings at Andover Apartments
Station 21 Capt. Mike
Romstadt, 2nd from right, took his crew by the Andover Apartments
complex on Eastgate Road in Toledo to discuss issues like burn patterns
and fire progression.
BLADE STAFF
Published on May 19, 2017 | Updated 7:09 p. m.
The Blade/Lori King
Fire investigators are continuing their investigation today into the cause of the fire that tore through an apartment complex on Eastgate Road in South Toledo.
Pvt. Sterling Rahe, a spokesman for the Toledo Fire Department, said investigators are trying to place the origin of the blaze that destroyed three buildings at Andover Apartments.
"At this time the cause is undetermined. We are still investigating it," he said. "We really don't want to speculate [on a cause] right now."
Private Rahe put the cost of the 36 units destroyed in the fire at about $2.5 million, and the loss of the occupants' belongings at about $750,000.
The fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. Thursday after a resident saw smoke that appeared to becoming from outside the building. Private Rahe said a manager who was notified by the resident began evacuating residents.
He said firefighters were hampered in extinguishing the fire by winds as strong as 30 miles per hour.
ECORSE, Mich (WJBK) - FOX 2 has learned from multiple sources that a worker at U.S. Steel was killed during a work-related accident.
Officials are not giving many details about the incident.
The accident involved a crane collapsing happened sometime between Sunday and Monday at the U.S. Steel plant in Ecorse.
by Taboola
A representative from U.S. Steel disclosed very little information in a voicemail to our Fox 2 crew:
"The incident involved a contractor from Mid-American group.", said Meghan Cox, U.S. Steel.
Initially, both Mid-American Group based out of Newport, Michigan and Ecorse police refused to comment on the matter. Ecorse police have now confirmed that a worker was fatally injured at the plant.
The worker is 32-years-old and from Cleveland, Ohio.
The State of Michigan has released the following statement regarding the investigation.
"MIOSHA has responded to this incident but can not provide information on an open investigation. Typically, this type of investigation may take several weeks or months to complete.", Michael J. Loepp, MIOSHA
According to U.S. Steel's website the company has been making steel for more than a century.
Furthermore, the website says the term "Safety First" was coined by U.S. Steel in 1912.
Worker killed in trench collapse in Rostraver
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
4:35 PM
May 22, 2017
A worker was killed today after a trench that was being worked on at a home in Rostraver collapsed Monday.
Westmoreland County deputy coroner Joshua C. Zappone confirmed that the worker had been killed in the incident.
A supervisor at Westmoreland County's emergency dispatch center said the worker had been flown from the scene by helicopter after the trench collapsed shortly before 3:30 p.m. at a home at 210 Country Drive.
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A worker was killed when a trench collapsed in Westmoreland County on Monday.
Investigators said the victim is a 60-year-old man who was working in the trench along County Drive in Rostraver Township.
Officials said crews were installing pipe in the ground at the time. A safety box was in place when the incident happened.
