VIDEO/PHOTO: Twenty people, most of them from the same family, are doing fine after they escaped a fire in Tazewell County late Tuesday night. The fire was at Amanda and Josh Hart's home on Cypress Point in Country Club Estates, between Pekin and Groveland. Amanda Hart's sister, Samantha Besco, said she saw smoke in the front foyer, the lights flickered, and then heard popping sounds and explosions. The attached garage was destroyed and a sport utility vehicle that was parked outside. Besco said seven adults and 13 children, ages eight-months to 17-years-old, made it out safely. With the help of Pekin firefighters, four dogs and six cats also escaped. Four of the cats were week-and-a-half old kittens. She said another sister, Sumer Besco, performed CPR and saved one of the kittens.  

PHOTOS: The Makanda Township Fire Department will soon build upon its crew's skills when it comes to entering locked buildings. The department posted on Facebook Wednesday morning to inform the community of a new piece of equipment donated to the department for training purposes. Deemed a "forcible entry door," the new training piece resembles a locked door that firefighters may have to break through to rescue residents trapped inside a building. The Makanda department noted the door was delivered thanks to the Fire Props Unlimited in Belleville. Active, working firemen built the door, and one of its creators led the Makanda team through a class regarding forced door entry. "This door is very solidly built and will serve our training needs for many years to come," wrote Chief Lipe.  

Firefighters have contained a fast-moving fire that left someone hurt near Peoria Thursday morning. Several pets are also missing. According to Rural Metro firefighters, the blaze started around 9:30 a.m. as a barbecue fire outside spread to the home near 88th Avenue and Williams Road. The house is located on an unincorporated county island surrounded by the City of Peoria. Crews from Peoria Fire-Medical were first on the scene as the fire quickly spread through the home. Officials say fire hydrants are scarce in the neighborhood because unincorporated areas don't have the same building code requirements as most cities and areas covered by fire districts. Because of the water delay, Peoria firefighters took a defensive position and called for a first-alarm response.  

VIDEOS: An Oklahoma City firefighter has carved the Fourth of July and patriotism into his yard this year, and he plans to go even bigger in the future. Jared Kesler started painting stars on his grass and even carved an eagle into his front yard at his Edmond home. He told KOCO 5 that he just wants to share his pride in our country with his neighbors. "I kind of always am out in the yard working," Kesler said. "All the neighbors probably thought I was crazy with spray paint at nine o'clock at night." Stars and stripes usually go on the flag. But sometimes, they're also on lawns. "The kids and I, we got out there with permanent markers and traced it and they helped me cut it out," Kesler said. The Oklahoma City firefighter told KOCO 5 that the Fourth of July is his favorite holiday, so he's spreading some cheer with a Christmas-like display carved into his lawn.  

VIDEO: What began in the waning hours of July 5, 2023, carried over to the next morning – and days and days to come. A cargo ship packed with more than 1,000 vehicles burst into flames at Port Newark. Firefighters rushed on board, but two would never make it out alive. Augusto "Auggie" Acabou and Wayne Brooks Jr. both died battling the cargo ship fire. A lengthy investigation revealed the fire aboard the Grimaldi Grande Costa d'Avorio originated from a Jeep Wrangler used by crew members to push other vehicles on board. As the beloved men were laid to rest, their loved ones grieved and pushed for answers. In the wake of the tragedy, lawsuits were filed, hearings were held and there was a determination to find out – why. Acabou and Brooks were both promoted to the rank of captain following the tragedy.  

PHOTOS: One of Travis's most well-known spots is Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, which has been serving the community for more than 143 years. "The Oceanic Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 of Travis, Staten Island, was established in 1881. At that time, the town was known as Linoleumville, home of the first linoleum factory in America. The Oceanic Hook & Ladder still occupies its historic fire station at 4010 Victory Boulevard," according to the Historic Richmond Town website. According to an article in the Advance/SILive.com, only 10 volunteer companies remain citywide with two of them on the Island: Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 and Richmond Engine Co 1. Originally known as the Travisville Fire Company, Oceanic Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 started operating from a building on Meredith Avenue. In 1902, the original building was relocated to its current location on Victory Boulevard, where it continues to serve the community.  

VIDEO: Calallen grad Valerie Perez is a member of Corpus Christi Fire Station 7, but when she's not protecting the Coastal Bend she's putting out fires on the baseball diamond with the Firefighters. "Three years ago I think I picked up a baseball for the first time in 19 years," Perez said. "A ball competitively was about 10 years, so three years ago until now just between USA Baseball which opened the door to this kind of opportunity." A rare opportunity through Savannah Banana Ball that named Perez the first manager for the Firefighters baseball team."Firefighting also is what brought these two worlds together," Perez said. "I never would have guessed this is the place I'd be." The season started May 30, and since then Perez has knocked a base hit and even fielded a trick play.