Martin County Sheriff Brad Ingram confirmed with NewsWest 9 that one person has died and three were injured in an explosion at a water management company building off of Farm-to-Market 846. The company is called Junction Resources, according to residents who own the land. Crews got the call about the explosion around 9:36 a.m. Thursday morning. According to NewsWest 9 on scene, the fire has been put out at the site. One of the three injured in the explosion was airlifted, the others were taken to a hospital by ground. FM 846 is back open after the scene was released back to the company. Ackerly, Lenorah, Stanton, Howard County Volunteer Fire Department and Martin County Volunteer Fire Department were on scene for hours putting out the fire.  

VIDEO: The Leon Valley Fire Department and Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 4 are officially merging on Tuesday in an effort to reduce response times and retain personnel. In 2007, a public vote established ESD 4 to provide first responder services to more than 40,000 residents in northwest Bexar County. ESD 4 provides equipment and funding for Leon Springs Fire Department to operate. "Over the years we were able to do things that the volunteer fire department couldn't do because we're a government entity," said Ron Haygood, ESD 4 Commissioners President. The collection of property and sales tax has led to recent major expenses including two new fire engines, three ambulances, a new ladder truck and purchase of property for a new fire station.  

Ten first responders hospitalized Wednesday after a large warehouse fire in Frisco are now out of the hospital. According to city officials, the seven police officers and three firefighters who were under evaluation after being exposed to burning chemicals on Wednesday morning have been sent home. Frisco Fire Department's Fire Marshal and Public Information Officer Kelly Kistner said Wednesday the fire likely started from a chemical reaction on a pallet of materials outside the building, which spread to a truck and then to the warehouse. Kistner said Wednesday afternoon that 10 first responders, including three firefighters and seven police officers, suffered a range of symptoms "that they didn't come to work with" after being exposed to the burning chemicals and that out of an abundance of caution, they transported them to hospitals to be evaluated.  

VIDEO: On average, seven people die in the U.S. every day due to home fires. As fire prevention week approaches, the San Antonio Fire Department is working to get the message out to prevent tragedy in our community. "Our public outreach ramps up. Our public education efforts really ramp up in October. That moves us into the early winter stages where we get those first cold snaps, where we do see an increase in residential fires. So making sure those places have working smoke alarms, it really could save your life," says Joe Arrington, Public Information Officer for SAFD. Not having a working smoke alarm could be deadly. "Unfortunately we see that three out of five fire fatalities around the country are usually a result of not having a working smoke alarm," says Arrington.  

First responders in Florida came across an active house fire while navigating Hurricane Helene floodwaters by boat. Crews from the South Pasadena Fire Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office found the scene while responding to water rescues. The area was completely flooded when they found a home that was fully involved in a fire. Firefighters said large objects, including dumpsters, were floating through the water and causing additional hazards. Crews said they have been responding to as many emergency calls as possible.  

VIDEO: The Oklahoma State Firefighters Association is banning energy drinks at any and all class sites where there is hands-on training. "With the trend of energy drinks, we've seen that some firefighters are drinking a four pack of Red Bull before lunchtime," said Sheri Nickel, Deputy Director for the association. Firefighters who have graduated from school might be able to get away with that, but now it's a different story for students in training. Nickel says trainees seen with or are drinking an energy drink of any kind are not allowed to participate in hands on training or hot class. Nickel says the changes come after a pair of recent deaths. "The chairman of our NVFC (National Volunteer Fire Council) is from Kansas, and there have been two recent line of duty deaths in Kansas of firefighters, and they're attributing their deaths to energy drinks," she said.  

VIDEO: History was made in New London when New London Fire Headquarters was staffed by an all-black crew. The fire headquarters is about 80 years old. After 80 years, it was manned by an all-black crew for the first time earlier this month. New London firefighters are proud of their work. "We're a busy fire department, I'm proud of all the members I work with, I love this job and am proud to be a part of it," said Al Mayo, New London Fire Department Lieutenant. September 12 was a fairly slow shift. Crews responded to a crash on the Gold Star Bridge. "On Engine 1, it was all three of us," Lt. Mayo said. All three including cousins Al and Ralph Mayo and their co-worker Markeno Grant. Grant is the one who made it happen. "I saw the roster and saw the lineup. Lt. Mayo as Lt. and Ralph as the rider. It would be the perfect time," Grant said.  

VIDEO: Firefighters with the Sanger Fire Department were surprised to find a pair of boots during remodeling construction at the fire station. "Nobody knew that he would do that, and he clearly left them behind for us to find," said Sanger Fire Captain Greg Tarascou. Nobody knew, and retired Fire Captain David Gee kept his little secret for 28 years. That's until... "Construction crews came across a gift that was left behind," said Tarascou. A "gift" that was left inside the ceiling of the captain's office. A place no one would have looked at unless they were remodeling the building. And that special "gift" was worn-out leather boots with a note saying... "Captain David Gee... began his career on October 1st, 1964, and finished his last shift on July 29th, 1996. "Very likable guy, very funny guy," said Tarascou.