North Carolina Central University construction engineer William Michael Logan died in house fire in Durham, NC

DURHAM, North Carolina (WTVD) --

Fire investigators are working to determine what caused a deadly Durham house fire that killed a longtime North Carolina Central University construction engineer late Sunday night.

The blaze started just before 11:15 p.m. on Summerville Lane in the Treyburn subdivision, off Vintage Hill Parkway.

When firefighters arrived, a woman met them outside and told them she believed someone was still inside the three-story home.

Firefighters tried to go in through a second-story window, but the flames were too intense.

Crews were able to get the fire under control around midnight and found 52-year-old William Michael Logan's body on the second floor.

North Carolina Central University said Logan was a construction engineer in Facilities Management who had worked at the school for 23 years.

Investigators said they believe the fire started accidentally, and may have been related to smoking materials.

The home was heavily damaged in the blaze.

Johnson O. Akinleye, interim chancellor at NCCU, released a statement following the news of Logan's death:

Dear Eagle Community,

As the semester comes to end, I am saddened to announce the loss of another member of our Eagle family. Mr. Michael Logan, a construction engineer in Facilities Management, passed away yesterday evening during a fire at his home in Durham County. The fire started after 11 p.m. and heavily damaged much of the home. It is believed to have started accidentally. The Durham Fire Department is investigating.

Many of us knew Mike as he worked on a number of projects across campus during the 23 years that he was employed at North Carolina Central University. He started as a hazardous waste program specialist in 1994 and also served as an interim director of Health and Safety. He began working for the University of North Carolina system in 1989. Mike attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Please keep Mike's family in your thoughts and prayers, including Brenda Logan, an NCCU employee, his mother and other family members, friends and colleagues. We will share details on the funeral arrangements once they become available.

City of Stamford, CT has settled a lawsuit filed by the Badger family of three girls who died in a Christmas morning house fire that also killed their grandparents.

The suit said the city failed to properly inspect renovations at the home. The suit alleged the city and some officials were reckless by giving Borcina a building permit even though he had no contractor’s license, and approved plans that didn’t include smoke detectors in the girls’ third-floor bedrooms, which were legally required.

The suit also said the city “engaged in a cover-up” when it tore down the house the day after it burned, thus eliminating evidence. 

 A Connecticut city on Tuesday announced that it has settled a lawsuit filed by the family of three girls who died in a Christmas morning house fire that also killed their grandparents.

Terms of the settlement announced by Stamford legal affairs director Kathryn Emmett were not disclosed, but include a $250,000 donation from the city to a charity or school to be determined by the girl’s family.

The Dec. 25, 2011, fire killed 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger, 9-year-old Lily Badger, and their maternal grandparents, Lomar and Pauline Johnson.

The girls’ father, Matthew Badger, sued on their behalf.

He died in February, but his brother, Sherwin Campbell Badger, took over as executor. Jury selection had started in the case, and a trial was expected to begin this month.

“The parties consider the settlement to be fair,” Emmett said in a statement to The Advocate newspaper. “The city is sympathetic to the tremendous losses suffered by the Badger family.”

The defendants did not admit any liability or fault in the settlement.

“I appreciate that the Stamford defendants have agreed to resolve this case,” Campbell Badger said in the joint statement.

Matthew Badger filed the lawsuit in 2012 and also named several contractors who had worked on the large home overlooking Long Island Sound. The general contractor, Michael Borcina, was dating the girls’ mother, Madonna Badger, at the time, and both of them escaped the blaze.

Borcina and other contractors previously settled claims against them for a total of more than $8 million.

The suit said the city failed to properly inspect renovations at the home. The suit alleged the city and some officials were reckless by giving Borcina a building permit even though he had no contractor’s license, and approved plans that didn’t include smoke detectors in the girls’ third-floor bedrooms, which were legally required.

The suit also said the city “engaged in a cover-up” when it tore down the house the day after it burned, thus eliminating evidence.

The city’s lawyers had denied all the allegations in the suit.

The fire was blamed on fireplace ashes placed in a bin and left in a mudroom. Borcina initially told authorities that he put the bin in the mudroom, but later said in a deposition that Madonna Badger placed the ashes there.



==========


Father of girls killed in Stamford Christmas fire has died

By Nelson Oliveira
Updated 11:30 pm, Thursday, February 9, 2017



Matthew Badger, father of the three girls killed in a tragic 2011 Christmas Day fire in Stamford’s upscale Shippan neighborhood, has died.

The Lily Sarah Grace Fund said Matthew Badger’s family announced his death on Thursday, but the cause was not disclosed. Badger, 51, of New York City, co-founded the organization in April 2012, five months after he lost his daughters.


In a public post on her Facebook page, Madonna Badger, the girls’ mother and Matthew’s former wife, said his death was sudden.

“He was a wonderful man with a generous heart,” she wrote. “He was an amazing Dad to his girls, Lily, Sarah and Grace. His death was sudden and peaceful. He is with his children and his parents and his brother, Mark. Please send him light and love. My heart is broken. But also joyous that they are together.”

The massive blaze at the home of Madonna Badger that killed Lily, 9, her 7-year-old twin sisters Sarah and Grace, and their grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson, prompted lawsuits by the girls’ parents against the city of Stamford, which immediately demolished the charred home and carted away the debris without notifying the family.

The lithium battery pack for an electric bike is suspected of starting a house fire in Yonkers, NY

Sunday, May 07, 2017 10:25PM
YONKERS, New York (WABC) -- Two people trapped in a burning home in Yonkers were pulled to safety on Sunday, and it appears an electric bike battery may have sparked the fire.

Shattered glass covers part of the driveway at 27 Bruce Avenue in Yonkers. The home's small, narrow windows were the only way out of the home where two men, brothers in their twenties were living in a basement apartment.

Just before 11 a.m. Sunday, a fire broke out in the unit - officials believe the lithium battery pack in an electric bike was the source of the blaze.



Yonkers Fire Department Assistant Chief Edward Cucolo has been with the department for 30 years, and exclusively tells Eyewitness News that he has never seen anything like this.

"Maybe you should keep these battery packs outside the house, something. It was quite a large battery. It overheated, and caught fire," Cucolo says.

Experts say fires involving electric bikes are rare, but not surprising, pointing the recent uptick in similar incidents with hoverboards and cell phones.

"The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is theoretically our federal agency which is supposed to oversee all of this, doesn't do such a good job in this area," says fire expert Glenn Corbett.

Corbett tells Eyewitness News that when it comes to electric bikes and the battery packs, there is little, if any independent testing of the devices before they hit the market.

"A lot of heat is generated there, and a lot of times the associated equipment with the better is the thing that fails here," Corbett says.

Officials say it appears the bikes were charging at the time, but that is still under investigation.
 ==============


The battery for an electric bike is suspected of starting a house fire in Yonkers on Sunday.

Fire officials say a basement apartment caught fire on 27 Bruce Ave. around 10: 45 a.m. 

Investigators found a burned and charred electric bike, and say the lithium battery was still hot 20 minutes after they put out the flames. 

"The battery pack was in flames, and it spread to some stuff on top of the bike".  
 
"Maybe you should keep these battery packs outside the house, something. It was quite a large battery. It overheated, and caught fire," Yonkers Fire Department Assistant Chief Cucolo says.

LINDEN, NEW JERSEY PLAYGROUND FIRE WAS ARSON; TWO TEENAGERS, AGES 11 AND 13 HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH THE CRIME

2 boys charged with arson in fire that destroyed playground in Linden, New Jersey

Monday, May 08, 2017 12:29PM

LINDEN, New Jersey (WABC) --

Police have charged two juveniles with arson and criminal mischief in connection with a fire that destroyed a playground in New Jersey Sunday afternoon.

The boys, both from Linden, are 11 and 13 years old. They have been released to their parents pending an appearance in juvenile court.

The fire was first reported at about 4:30 p.m. at Wales Park on West Curtis Street in Linden and was labeled as suspicious.

Firefighters were met with heavy smoke and flames but were able to extinguish the blaze within a few minutes.

"You have a very spectacular fire that creates a lot of smoke," said Linden Fire Chief Joe Dooley.



The $80,000 playground was completely destroyed, with the bulk of the damage occurring in the jungle gym, which was left burned and twisted with melted slides and charred swings.

The playground's plastic structure and rubber floor allowed the fire to burn bigger and longer.

"The plastic and rubber were burned very hot, but there isn't a lot of fuel," said Dooley.

Firefighters suspected arson early on.

"The two juveniles had left the scene and returned to the scene, and witnesses in the area identified them as being in the park at the time the fire started," said Linden Police Lt. Christopher Gunther.

A neighbor's surveillance camera showed the boys in the park and then casually riding away minutes before the fire escalated.

"The circumstances surrounding how or why they did that is still under investigation," said Lt. Gunther.

"This unfortunately is a very sad day in our town, upwards of $80,000 in damage," said Linden Mayor Derek Armstead.

City officials say it could be a year before the playground is replaced and the boys' parents could be held financially responsible.======================

LINDEN, New Jersey (WABC) --

An investigation is underway after a New Jersey city's playground was destroyed by a fire that authorities have labelled suspicious.

The fire was first reported at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Wales Park on West Curtis Street in Linden.

Firefighters were met with heavy smoke and flames but were able to extinguish the blaze within a few minutes.


The $80,000 playground was completely destroyed, with the bulk of the damage occurring in a jungle gym area.

Some of the climbing areas melted under the pressure of the heat.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Linden Police Department at (908) 474-8520.



===========




Firefighters in Linden swiftly extinguished a fire that broke out inside a park in Linden this afternoon.

Heavy fire ignited a play area at the Sgt. Wales Park located at West Curtis and Ainsworth shortly before 5 p.m.

The fire destroyed sliding board and other play equipment according to preliminary reports.

There were no injuries reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. It looks an arson fire.

Hanover Park employee Steven D. Daley, 50, of Streamwood was killed after being pinned under a riding lawn mower at the village's Public Works Treatment Plant.

Hanover Park, Illinois
Hanover Park, Illinois is mourning the loss of a longtime public works employee who died on the job Friday.

Steven D. Daley, 50, of Streamwood was killed after being pinned under a riding lawn mower at the village's Public Works Treatment Plant.  
Hypertensive cardiovascular disease was listed as a contributing factor to the death, according to the medical examiner's office.


"He was a long-term employee. A fine gentleman," Hanover Park Mayor Rodney Craig said Sunday. "(It's) just an awful situation when something like this happens. It just resonates throughout the whole village family.

"What a tragedy for (his) family. My heart goes out to them."

According to the Cook County medical examiner's office, Daley was pinned underwater by the mower and drowned. The death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.

Craig said the village is still investigating what occurred, adding that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has been notified.

According to his Facebook page, Daley was a heavy equipment operator for the village.

Craig said he got know Daley from occasions he went to the scene of water main break to see how repairs were progressing.

"He was one of the guys who was always down in the hole fixing a water main," Craig said. "Just a genuine guy. Hardworking guy. Family man."

According to an obituary, Daley was a 25-year resident of Streamwood and an avid sports fan who coached girls travel softball.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 1640 Greenmeadows Blvd., Streamwood. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Daley is survived by his wife and two daughters. 

===============


A Streamwood man died Friday after being pinned under a riding lawn mower.

Steven D. Daley, 50, was pinned underwater and drowned, and the death was ruled accidental, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An emergency call was made at 2:28 p.m. to 5600 Greenbrook in Hanover Park, the office said. Details of what happened were not available Saturday evening from Hanover Park police.

According to his Facebook page, Daley was a heavy equipment operator for the village of Hanover Park.

Hypertensive cardiovascular disease was listed as a contributing factor to the death, according to the medical examiner's office.

According to an obituary, Daley was a 25-year resident of Streamwood, an avid sports fan and coached girls' travel softball.

"He loved life, was happy and lovable, and there was no one who didn't like him," according to the obituary.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10, at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, 1640 Greenmeadows Blvd. (at Barrington Road), Streamwood. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

One of Daley's friends, Rick Brogan, said Daley had plans to see his daughter off to prom later that evening.

"He's just a real decent guy -- always involved with his kids," Brogan said.

Another of Daley's friends, Streamwood Park Commissioner, Bill Wright, said family was the "center of his universe," adding that Daley never spoke ill of anyone.

"The Streamwood community has suffered a huge loss," Wright said. "Steve was very much a part of the community and his presence will be sorely missed."

Any donations will be used for a future sports scholarship in Daley's name. Call (630) 289-8054 or visit www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com.

A 30-year-old construction worker was killed when he fell 35 to 50 feet while working at the New England Sports Center in Marlboro, Massachusetts

MARLBORO, Mass.- 

A 30-year-old construction worker from Arizona was killed when he fell 35 to 50 feet while working at the New England Sports Center on Sunday.

Police said they were alerted to the fall just before noon and the man was taken by ambulance to UMass Memorial - Marlboro Hospital, where he died about an hour later.


The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration responded, along with the medical examiner’s office and police detectives.

Marlboro Police Lt. Robert Jusseaume said the man was working for a steel company that is constructing new ice rinks at the facility on Donald Lynch Boulevard. It is believed he fell from a beam, police said.

MARLBOROUGH – The 88,830-square-foot expansion of the New England Sports Center remains on track to be completed early this spring.

The project: The City Council this summer signed off on a special permit allowing New England Sports Management, which operates the center, to expand. The expansion will include two new ice rinks, 110 more parking spaces and potentially a second restaurant, said Wes Tuttle, general manager of the New England Sports Center.

Timeline: Construction crews recently installed footings, plumbing and the foundation for the new rinks. Tuttle expects work on the last foundation wall will be completed in the next few days and crews will then begin work paving the parking lot. “We’re very, very happy with the progress,” said Tuttle. “It’s exciting. We’re anxious to get it done.” Crews cleared numerous trees over the summer where the rinks and parking lot will be located. Tuttle hopes the new rinks will open in February or March. 

Growth: The expansion will provide additional opportunities, such as allowing more teams to play at the complex, attracting bigger national and global hockey tournaments and the addition of a curling club. Tuttle and Sudbury Firefighter Mike Matros are also organizing the Hero Cup hockey tournament, which will bring teams of firefighters from across the world to the center to compete.

Economic benefit: Susanne Morreale-Leeber, president and CEO of the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, characterized the center as a key resource to helping city businesses flourish. Morreale-Leeber expects the ongoing expansion will increase business to city hotels, restaurants and shops. “The New England Sports Center has been really key all these years in helping our community stay stable,” she said. “With the expansion, they’re going to be able to attract large competitions and that means more business for our business people. It’s good for the business community.”

The facility: Built in 1994 with four ice rinks, the New England Sports Center has undergone a handful of expansions in recent years. In 2005 the facility added a fifth rink and expanded again in 2010 to add a sixth to meet the growing demand for ice time. The complex also features a pro shop, arcade and restaurant. The center has hosted numerous national and regional events during its history.

Westmoreland Coal Company's miner, Michael Ramsey, 62, of Colstrip, died in a tragic truck accident at the Rosebud Mine in Colstrip, MT after the truck fell 100 feet into a mine pit

By JORDON NIEDERMEIER jniedermeier@billingsgazette.com
13 hrs ago

A coal miner died Saturday afternoon in an incident that involved a large dump truck at the Rosebud Mine outside of Colstrip.
Although an official cause of death has yet to be declared, an employee at the Rosebud Mine said the driver was operating a 100-ton haul truck when it fell off of a 100-foot ledge.

The miner was identified Sunday night as Michael Leroy Ramsey, 62, of Colstrip, said Rosebud County Sheriff Allen Fulton

Emergency crews were contacted at about 5:20 p.m. on Saturday. Ramsey was driving the truck and for some reason fell more than 100 feet into a pit, Fulton said.


He said a mine rescue crew rappelled into the pit and retrieved Ramsey's body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Ramsey was the only person involved in the wreck.


Westmoreland Coal Company owns the Rosebud Mine and is based in Englewood, Colorado. The company issued the following statement on Sunday.


"On Saturday, May 6th, 2017, one of Westmoreland Coal Company's miners died in a tragic truck accident at the Rosebud Mine in Colstrip, MT. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation and MSHA is onsite. Operations in the vicinity of the incident have been suspended pending investigation. Westmoreland expresses its deepest sympathies to the friends and families of our fallen team member. The safety and well-being of our team members continues to be Westmoreland’s top priority. We will provide updates as information becomes available."

Gary Kohn, Westmoreland's chief financial officer, said the United States Department of Labor Mining Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death. He declined to comment on the circumstances of the crash.

"At this point the investigation is underway with MSHA and our internal investigation," Kohn said. "I don’t want to speculate or comment until we have a full understanding of what happened."

Western Energy Company – Rosebud Mine

Western Energy Company – Rosebud Mine is a 25,000-acre surface mine complex located in the northern Powder River Basin near Colstrip, Montana, and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Rosebud is a large operation with three active pits and supplies almost all of its current production to the four-unit 2,100 megawatt Colstrip Power Station that is adjacent to the mine and was specifically designed to burn Rosebud coal.

Coal is sold to the Colstrip Station under two long-term contracts. Colstrip Station is one of the region’s most cost-efficient and cleanest power plants, which should help it maintain a base-load position on the electricity dispatch curve, and ensure continued strong demand for Rosebud coal. The Rosebud Mine produces approximately ten to thirteen million tons per year.

Westmoreland Coal Company began mining in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania in 1854 as a Pennsylvania corporation. In 1910, we incorporated in Delaware and continued our focus on underground coal operations in Pennsylvania and the Appalachian Basin. We moved our headquarters from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Colorado in 1995. Today, we are an energy company with 17 coal mines in the U.S. and Canada, a stake in an activated carbon plant and char production facility and two coal-fired power generation units. Our headquarters are located in Englewood, Colorado and we have approximately 3,100 employees.

We believe we are now the sixth largest North American coal producer (as measured by 2013 production of nearly 52 million tons, including Sherritt 2013 production), and we believe that we are the largest dragline operator among North American coal producers with 29 draglines owned or operated. We produce and sell thermal coal primarily to investment grade power plants under long-term cost-protected contracts, as well as to industrial customers and barbeque briquettes manufacturers. We operate 13 surface mines and a 50% interest in an activated carbon plant and char production facility. 

Our U.S. coal operations are located in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and Texas. Our Canadian coal operations are located in Alberta and Saskatchewan. We own a thermal coal export mine with production capacity of three million tonnes per annum and with established sales to the Asian markets. We also operate two coal-fired power generating units in North Carolina with a total capacity of approximately 230 megawatts.

Westmoreland is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol WLB and has over 16 million shares of common stock outstanding.