A wildfire that destroyed at least two homes in southern Colorado was sparked by a Fort Carson Army aviation training exercise that used live ammunition

FORT CARSON, Colo. – 

 

A wildfire that destroyed at least two homes in southern Colorado was sparked by an Army aviation training exercise that used live ammunition, the military said Monday.

The fire started on Fort Carson amid dry, windy weather on March 16 and spread to private land, charring 5 square miles (13 square kilometers) before it was contained. It prompted evacuations of residents and livestock, but no injuries were reported.

The National Weather Service had issued a fire warning that day because of the conditions.

The Army was "mitigating risk and altering training" before the blaze and would continue to do so when fire danger is high, the post's commander, Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, said in a written statement. He said Fort Carson's regulations, as well as orders for training missions, outline steps to reduce the chances of flames.

The statement did not give details or explain why Fort Carson waited 10 days to acknowledge that the exercise used live ammunition. A post spokeswoman didn't immediately respond to an email seeking clarification.

Some residents who live near Fort Carson criticized commanders for conducting the exercise despite the fire danger.

"The Army is supposed to protect the American public, but it for sure doesn't feel like we're being protected," said Samuel Saling, whose home was one of about 250 evacuated during the blaze.

"They should have all hands on deck, considering how many troops are stationed there that are trained to deal with this type of situation," he told the Colorado Springs Gazette.

The post commander said the Army needs to balance its training needs with the safety of its neighbors. Fort Carson previously said the March 16 training exercise was preparing soldiers for deployment.

The Army said residents could submit claims for reimbursement for property damage to Fort Carson.

The fire also ignited old tires that were fashioned into a fence on private land. Burning tires can release hazardous smoke, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was awaiting the results of tests on the tire debris to see if it needed to be taken to a hazardous waste dump.

 

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Army mum on whether live rounds were in use at Fort Carson when fire began


  Associated Press
March 20, 2018


FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) — The Army remained silent Monday on whether live ammunition was in use during a training exercise at Fort Carson three days ago, the same day a fire started on the post, spread to private land and destroyed three homes.

Fort Carson spokeswoman Brandy Gill said she did not yet have any information on the training.


Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire, or whether it was related to the training.

The fire started amid dry, windy weather and scorched five square miles (13 square kilometers).

Gill said she had no information on whether Fort Carson has restrictions on training on days like Friday, when wildfire danger is high, or whether training guidelines were under review.

Col. Ron Fitch, Fort Carson's garrison commander, said at a news conference Friday the training had to go on despite the conditions because the soldiers were preparing to deploy overseas.

"We have to train in order to prepare those soldiers," he said.

The training involved infantry and helicopters, Fitch said.

The fire was contained by Monday, although some trash piles and old tires continued to burn.

At least 250 homes were evacuated during the fire. Most residents have been told they can return, but five homes remained under evacuation orders Monday because they were near the remaining fires, El Paso County sheriff's spokeswoman Natalie Sosa said.

Sosa said firefighting crews discovered an illegal marijuana growing operation in the area Saturday.

Officers got a search warrant and seized more than 100 plants. No arrests have been made, she said.

59-yr old MTA employee struck and killed by an MTA bus driven by a 57-yr old female MTA driver at the College Point Bus Depot in Queens, NYC

COLLEGE POINT, Queens — An MTA employee is dead after being struck by a department bus Tuesday morning, police said.


The scene where an MTA employee was struck and killed by a bus in Queens on March 27, 2018, is pictured. (Narmeen Choudhury/ PIX11)

The MTA bus was reversing on 28th Avenue between Ulmer Street and College Point Boulevard around 10:21 a.m. when the incident happened, according to police. It happened at the MTA Bus College Point Depot, bordering College Point and Flushing.

An employee was struck by the reversing bus, and died at the scene, police said.

The man was described by officials as a 37-year veteran of the MTA, of which he was a valued member. His name was not released, pending family notification.

The woman driving the bus that hit him has worked for the MTA for 19 years, officials said.

Details about the crash are not yet known. As part of the investigation, police are reviewing video of the incident.

This is the second on-the-job death of an MTA employee in one week.

An MTA worker fell to his death while clearing subway tracks in Manhattan last Tuesday.



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A veteran MTA worker was killed at a Queens transit depot Tuesday when a bus driver inadvertently ran him over, police said.

The 59-year-old victim was directing traffic at the College Point Bus Depot about 10:20 a.m. when the driver backed into him while pulling out of the station, officials said.

The man, a 37-year veteran, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 57-year-old driver remained at the scene and was not immediately charged.

“As many of you know, the bus operation at the MTA is a very close-knit family and our entire team is mourning,” said MTA Bus President Darryl Irick.

The victim, whose official title was helper-maintainer, performed a variety of jobs, including directing bus traffic.

Officials did not release specifics on the accident but Irick said it took place a time when the bus depot is bustling with activity.

“It’s right after rush hour,” Irick added. “Buses coming in. Maintenance operations are taking place. There is quite a bit of activity at that point in time.”

Toll attendant, 77-year-old Stacy Doris, was injured after a Waste Management garbage truck driven by 20-year-old Michael Stelline, of Lebanon, Maine, struck the tollbooth at the Spaulding Turnpike in Rochester, NH

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) -- New Hampshire State Police say an operator was injured when a garbage truck crashed into a highway tollbooth.

Foster's Daily Democrat reports the crash happened Thursday morning on the southbound side of the Spaulding Turnpike in Rochester.

State police say a Waste Management garbage truck driven by 20-year-old Michael Stelline, of Lebanon, Maine, struck the tollbooth in Lane 1.

Authorities say the toll attendant, 77-year-old Stacy Doris, of Rochester, was taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital and treated for minor injuries. Police say Stelline wasn't injured in the crash.

No charges have been filed.

The Lane 1 southbound tollbooth at the Rochester station will be closed until repairs are finished.



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ROCHESTER, NH — 

A Waste Management garbage truck collided with an occupied Rochester tollbooth at Lane 1 southbound on the Spaulding Turnpike just at approximately 6:47 on Thursday morning.

The tollbooth operator suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital to be evaluated. The accident caused a significant slow-down in southbound traffic during the morning commute as Lane 1 was closed. Traffic was moving after the crash, but very slowly.

Heavy damage was visible to the Lane 1 tollbooth.

Troopers from the NH State Police Troop-A barracks responded to the toll plaza after receiving reports that the garbage truck had struck the occupied tollbooth on the southbound side of the Spaulding Turnpike. The on-scene investigation revealed that the side loading door of the truck had been left open, and as the truck traveled through Lane 1, the door struck the booth.

State Police identified the operator of the truck as Michael Stelline, 29, of Lebanon, Maine. Stelline was not injured, police said.


State Police identified the toll attendant as Stacy Doris, 77, of Rochester. Following the accident, Doris was transported to the Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester where she was evaluated and released with minor injuries.

Lane 1 of the Rochester toll plaza will be closed indefinitely until repairs can be made to the tollbooth.

N.H. State Police were assisted at the scene by the Rochester Fire Department and the N.H. Department of Transportation.

A malfunctioning wood stove was the cause of the fire that killed a 69-year-old Mary Lou Buschor in the town of Marshall, NY on Sunday

Fire officials say a malfunctioning wood stove was the cause of the fire that killed a 69-year-old woman in the town of Marshall on Sunday.
Posted: Mar. 26, 2018 3:47 PM
Updated: Mar. 26, 2018 3:53 PM
Posted By: WKTV


MARSHALL – Fire officials say a malfunctioning wood stove was the cause of the fire that killed a 69-year-old woman in the town of Marshall on Sunday.




Just before 7 a.m. Sunday, crews responded to a house fire at 2282 Brothertown Road in Marshall, and upon arrival they found a father and son trying to get inside to save their wife and mother. Deansboro Fire Chief Chris Steinmann says the fire was initially reported as a barn fire, but upon arrival crews found that it was a house and more backup was called.

When crews arrived the first floor of the home was fully involved with flames and they were unable to get inside to save Mary Lou Buschor, who died from her injuries. Buschor’s husband is currently being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family pay for funeral and medical expenses, and clothing donations are also being solicited as well. For more information about how you can help, click here.



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Marshall, N.Y. - Deansboro Fire Chief Chris Steinmann says a 911 call came in at 6:48 a.m. Sunday morning for the report of a barn fire on Brothertown Rd. in Marshall, but it turned out to be a house fire, and when he arrived three minutes later, he says a husband and son were in the doorway of the burning home, but couldn't get inside to save their wife and mother inside.



Steinmann says that woman, whose name is not yet being released, died inside the home. "Upon arrival, I have seen two of the occupants trying to get their mother and wife out of the house with the first story fully involved at that time. They were just trying to gain access, they were just in the doorway hanging in the window trying to get in there."

Steinmann says firefighters couldn't get inside because the structure was fully engulfed in flames, "We could only get in about 3 to 4 feet until the water got here. It was the best we could do. The husband is being treated for burns and smoke inhalation and the wife did not make it."

Being such a rural area, water had to be pumped in from a creek about 4 miles away.

Steinmann says the turnout from other neighboring fire departments, including Vernon Center, Oriskany Falls and Waterville was amazing, "There was such a turnout of firefighters here, it’s a brotherhood that really showed itself today."

Steinmann says counselors were being made available for any firefighters that may need to talk to someone, as is always the case after fighting a fatal fire.

The Red Cross was also on scene to assist the family.

Steinmann says the only thing known right now about the fire itself is that it started somewhere on the first floor.

The Oneida County Sheriff's Department is assisting in the investigation.

Two homes caught fire Friday afternoon in Orange County, Florida

Bill Harr thought his neighbor was joking when he told him his house was on fire.

He was working at the U.S. Postal Service when his neighbor called Friday afternoon to alert him.

“I said ‘Yeah, right,’ ” Harr said.

But he realized it was no laughing matter when he drove up to his home on Melwood Avenue. Half his roof was destroyed, and firefighters were just dousing the last flames.   
 
His next-door neighbor’s roof was almost entirely gone.

The fire started at one house and — aided by the strong winds — blew to the next house. Both were destroyed.

“There’s a brand-new, $50,000 truck in there,” Harr said, pointing to his garage. “It’s a complete loss. I can’t think straight right now.”

No one was hurt in the fire. Firefighters rescued several pets.

Orange County Fire Rescue said the fire started at Harr’s neighbor’s house, but some neighbors first on scene said they saw Harr’s air conditioning unit on fire.

The blaze remains under investigation, and the State Fire Marshall will determine the cause.

The neighborhood is off Econlockhatchee Trail near Lake Underhill Road.



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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Two homes caught fire Friday afternoon, Orange County Fire Rescue said.

Firefighters said they were called at about 3 p.m. to Mellowood Avenue near Lake Underhill Road and South Econlockhatchee Trail.

One home was fully engulfed in flames, and half of the other home was on fire, officials said.

"When we arrived on scene, there was a ball of fire in between two homes, so we can't determine which one it was," Orange County Battalion Chief Carollee Burrell said.

Resident Bill Haar, 70, was at work when his neighbor called him to tell him that his home of 20 years was on fire.

"'Bill: Both of our houses are on fire,' and I just really broke down," he said. "It took me about a half hour to get here."

Neighbor Lynne Bahre said she and her husband Gary Gionne had left their home 10 minutes before the flames sparked.

"When we crossed (East) Colonial (Drive), we saw smoke and said 'that can't be our house,'" she said. "It went all through the roof and everything."

"There's not much left of anything," Gionne said.

Firefighters said they rescued a dog from one of the burning homes.

No one was inured.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Cullman County, Alabama could be looking at more than $10 million in damages due to last week's hail storms

Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs believes his city could be looking at more than $10 million in damages due to last week's storms.

By Bob Gathany

bgathany@al.com


Monday night's severe storms did major damage at Mitch Smith Chevrolet in Cullman as baseball-sized hail severely damaged 380 new vehicles. Security camera video shows the large hail taking out car windows and exploding as it hits the pavement.

According to owner Sharon Smith, only three or four vehicles on the lot out of nearly 400 did not have any damage. Some of the most expensive vehicles, such as Corvettes, were stored in the company's service bays but there was not room for many other vehicles.

The hail started about 7:10 p.m. and lasted almost 20 minutes. The dealership had closed early for the day due to the storm warnings so there were no employees at the property during the storm.

The company cannot sell any of the vehicles until after insurance appraisers make their assessment but they are already getting calls asking about purchasing vehicles at discounted prices due to the damage.



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CULLMAN COUNTY, AL (WBRC) -

Assessments are still being done, but Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs believes his city could be looking at more than $10 million in damages due to last week's storms.

Jacobs says the damage stretches from one end of the city to the other, with the southern end getting the worst of it. He says it’s likely the hail did more damage than the tornadoes, especially to roofs and cars.

The good news is there weren't any reports of any serious injuries. Still, some of those hailstones that fell were baseball size or larger. That was a surprise to most who live there.

"Just talking to some of the adjusters, one I met with yesterday, was from Fort Worth, Texas and from what they've said, this is the worst hail storm east of the Mississippi, ever,” Jacobs said. “This is uncommon for this area to get this widespread of hail.”

Jacobs says on Tuesday, EMA officials will get with county and city officials to, again, go over what they're seeing and really assess how widespread this damage is, how much it will cost. He says there's certainly quite a way to go before they get back to normal.

Several businesses along Cullman’s busy Cherokee Avenue remained closed Monday due to the storm damage.

That included several stores in the Marketplatz Shopping Center, like TJ Maxx, Cato's and the AMC Movie Theatre.

At the Golden Corral down the street, crews are hard at work repairing the roof, which was severely damaged with baseball-sized hail.

The holes allowed rain to pour inside, and that damaged the carpet, tiles, and lights.

When asked to rate the severity of damage on a scale of one to 10, Kitchen Manager Donna Smith didn’t hesitate to give an answer.

"A 10. We've never been closed this long. We've had some freezers pop and been closed for a day, but this has been pretty bad,” Smith said.

But being closed hasn’t mean a break for employees.

"We've had some employees who've helped clean. Other stores have taken employees in so they don't lose money, so it's been a team effort from all of us."

Smith says they hope to reopen by Wednesday night, Thursday at the latest.

The crumbling 11,000 square foot Ebo Hill mansion was gutted by a fire in the town of Smithtown in Suffolk County as it was being restored

 

SMITHTOWN, Long Island (WABC) --

Flames swept through a historical mansion on Long Island on Monday night.



The 11,000 square foot Ebo Hill mansion was gutted by a fire in the town of Smithtown in Suffolk County.

The mansion dates back to 1843 when it was built for the Smith family, who are the founders of Smithtown.

It was recently purchased and was in the process of being restored.

The cause of the fire is still unknown. Would not be surprised if it was set on-fire to collect the insurance money.




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While a prospective buyer for the maligned Ebo Hill property in Smithtown has already begun landscaping around the ramshackle historic mansion this week, the property's owner said the sale is not exactly a done deal.

"I did sell it, or I would like to say 'yes, I sold it,'" said building owner Richard Longobardi, who also owns All Towne Realty Group in Smithtown. "Until the fat lady sings, I haven't sold it."

According to Longobardi, prospective buyer Frederick Greaves has not entered into a contract with him yet, though as a sign of good faith Greaves has been paying for certain rehabilitation costs related to the property, including landscaping.

"He wants to buy the house; we're very serious about selling the house," Longobardi said. Though he would not comment on the asking price, the owner told Patch in July 2012 that he wouldn't take less than $1 million.




The Ebo Hill property has been asn eyesore for years, a crumbling mansion that many people told us they'd love to see restored.

Originally, the land was owned by Obadiah Smith, the great-grandson of Smithtown founder Richard Smyth. The property passed through later generations of the Smith family, with the house that stands there now being built in 1856.

Greaves, a Lindenhurst man, has been emailing Patch for months about his intentions to restore Ebo Hill after learning about the state of decay at the house through one of our articles. He confirmed that a deal is in the works to buy the mansion.




Landscapers on the property on Wednesday said they have been working there for two days, mostly clearing a host of downed trees in the backyard that were toppled by recent storms.

"I'm really interested to see how it all turns out," said one worker.