VIDEO: A fertilizer plant in Williamson County was destroyed in a fire that burned overnight Sunday into early Monday morning. Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said a fire at the American Plant Food Corporation started around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The plant is located on Hwy 95 in Bartlett, near County Road 351. Bartlett Municipal Government said on social media it anticipated having to shut down Hwy 95 in the area Monday morning as crews worked to put out the fire. Drivers were asked to take alternate routes Monday morning. People within a quarter-mile of the plant were evacuated. Gravell said no one was hurt in the fire. The fire was contained, but crews were letting it burn overnight before starting to drop water on it Monday morning. Grass around the perimeter of the plant also burned.  

Fifty years ago, assistant fire chief Robert "Bob" Schwab suffered a heart attack hours after fighting a fire. While he died at work, it wasn't classified as a line-of-duty death. His death came up as part of recent research by the department. "We reviewed the facts and one of the facts is, number one he was on duty, number two Chief Schwab had responded to a structure fire hours before he had this heart attack," said Amarillo Fire Chief Jason Mays. "You know, to me looking at it now, to me it's a no brainer and we need to, we need to add him to our Line of Duty Death for Amarillo Fire Department." Mays said it's important that Schwab is honored for making the ultimate sacrifice. Mays appointed a family liaison to work with Schwab's wife and three sons. While he wants to properly honor his fallen brother, Mays wants to make sure the family is prepared.  

A new emergency grant application is now open for Texas volunteer fire departments. It's part of Gov. Abbott's Wildfire Disaster Declaration. On Thursday, Texas A&M Forest Services said they were accepting applications for the grant. It was created in response to the several wildfires this summer season. The Bluntzer Volunteer Fire Department is a small volunteer service that has about 18 active volunteers. A lot of their equipment is funded by grants, which is why they are hoping to receive the wildfire disaster grant. With the wildfire disaster grant, volunteer fire departments can apply for up to $15,000 to help replace essential equipment. "We have personal protective equipment that is damaged, but most of the stuff will be fire hoses and tools that were in the truck," Lt. Rene Guerra said. The grant said firefighters are responding daily to wildfires.  

A volunteer firefighter with the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department collapsed Friday while battling a structure fire, the department said. According to the department, they were dispatched to a structure fire at approximately 9:48 p.m. on Friday, August 18. The fire was on Stadium Drive. Engine 11 was the first to arrive at the scene and a crew of four firefighters made entry and worked to extinguish the fire. The department said a firefighter was actively fighting the fire, when he encountered a foreign object that caused the seal of his mask to separate from his face. The firefighter, with assistance from another firefighter, attempted to exit the building. Before they were able to exit, the firefighter collapsed and lost consciousness. Moments later, the words firefighter down were heard and all firefighters, Alvin EMS and Alvin PD began to work to assist the downed firefighter.  

Huge flames destroyed several businesses in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon. A massive plume of smoke could be seen rising from the 6-alarm fire on Lee Avenue in Williamsburg on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters arrived at the scene four minutes after the initial call just before noon Sunday. Officials say the flames appeared to start in a chocolate shop and spread to at least nine nearby retail stores. David Goldstein inherited the building from his father - it's been in his family since the 1960s. Now, as the landlord for nine longtime small businesses, he wonders what's next. "Yeah, they're all here - most of them took it like, what can you do? We'll make the best of it we'll work together," Goldstein said. A toy store and the kebab grill were among the places destroyed in a hub of commerce for Williamsburg's Hasidic community.  

Two Bridgeport firefighters, Necole Dundy Pittman and Montique Pettway-Moore, took a historic step forward together Friday - breaking a glass ceiling. Both are veteran lieutenants who are now captains — the first women captains in the department's history. "This is a moment to be proud of, and I understand the magnitude of my achievement," said Pettway-Moore. "We're working with our brothers who have never worked with female captains, so it's important just for our department to see us and to realize we are here, and we now manage firehouses now," said Dundy Pittman. Both captains thanked their mentor, Ina Anderson - the department's first woman lieutenant. "I'm grateful that I was the one that was called to open the door," said Anderson. The two women reflected on their lives and what brought them here today.  

Firefighters in San Bernardino County found themselves running to safety after encountering a massive, boulder-filled mudslide barreling towards them Sunday as heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Hilary battered the area. KTLA learned that crews at Fire Station 99 in the Forest Falls area heard a loud noise that they went to check out. Video then shows the fast-moving debris field racing down the hill, taking out trees and anything in its path as crew members turn and run back down the rocky terrain to safety. Fortunately, no one was injured but the mudslide, which can be seen winding its way down the hillside and across the road, stranded firefighters at the station until the road can be cleared.