Firefighters from 18 departments in four counties have put out the massive chemical plant fire at Sound Resource Solutions in Shepherd, Texas, the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management said. The fire on FM 1127, approximately 75 miles northeast of Houston, started with an explosion that happened at 8:17 a.m. and it burned for hours. There was a shelter-in-place for residents in a one-mile radius that was lifted nearly 7 hours after the explosion. Single northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 59 reopened by 6:30 p.m., TxDOT said, but expect delays until all lanes reopen. Sound Resource Solutions president Geoff Harfield said the explosion was caused by a "forklift incident." An individual working on a forklift noticed chemicals leaking from a container and when he went to lift the container up, he noticed a fire.  

Friday's collection of O positive blood, the universal donor, at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center's mobile unit in Kerrville's Walmart parking lot will be the first official "Heroes in Arms" program event in the state of Texas. Kerrville Fire Department Chief Eric Maloney and others who were tested and qualified to donate whole blood to be used on ambulances locally will roll up their sleeves during the event, which will last from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. "We're excited for the Heroes in Arms program to get started with local donors. With us now providing the whole blood on our ambulances, we told the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center that we wanted to help support the program within our own community, so they have honored our request," Maloney said.  

A couple of good samaritans helped fight an apartment fire on the South Side after noticing smoke coming from a mail slot. According to the San Antonio Fire Department, the incident happened Wednesday around 9:30 a.m. near the 500 block of West Hutchins Place at an apartment complex. Felix Quintero noticed smoke coming from the leasing office of the complex as he was dropping off a flyer. He then began alerting other people in the area. Quintero and a resident named Frank, jumped in to help, kicking down the door of the office. Thanks to their quick thinking, they prevented much worse from happening. After the fire was put out, one of the firefighters fell through the floor of the second story where the fire had burned through but caught himself and was not hurt.  

Two firefighters with the Mont Belvieu Fire Department were injured Wednesday morning during a floor collapse at a scene, according to officials. At about 5:15 a.m., crews responded to a two-story house fire in the Hunter's Chase Subdivision, where they were joined by the Baytown Fire Department Engine 6. Crews began fire suppression operations. During the operation, a section of the floor on the second story gave away, causing a firefighter to fall to the first floor and onto another firefighter. A mayday was called, and the injured firefighters were pulled from the home. They were taken to the hospital for treatment and expected to be OK. There were no additional reported injuries. The cause of the house fire remains under investigation.  

Firefighters from 18 departments in four counties have put out the massive chemical plant fire at Sound Resource Solutions in Shepherd, Texas, the San Jacinto County Office of Emergency Management said. The fire on FM 1127, approximately 75 miles northeast of Houston, started with an explosion that happened at 8:17 a.m. and it burned for hours. There was a shelter-in-place for residents in a one-mile radius that was lifted nearly 7 hours after the explosion. Single northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 59 reopened by 6:30 p.m., TxDOT said, but expect delays until all lanes reopen. Sound Resource Solutions president Geoff Harfield said the explosion was caused by a "forklift incident." An individual working on a forklift noticed chemicals leaking from a container and when he went to lift the container up, he noticed a fire.  

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Services (BFRS) is launching an in-house paramedic training program, which will be the first of its kind in the entire state. Birmingham Fire Chief Cory Moon said the inspiration for this program was born from the nationwide shortage of paramedics they feel the effects of locally. This will be a 7-month fast track program that starts early next year. The first group of 15 people will begin in February and will finish in October. Chief Moon said the training is free and personnel will be paid their full salary while in class. A $10,000 sign on bonus is included alongside an annual $5,000 bonus for paramedics assigned to rescue units.  

November 11 is Veterans Day, a celebration to honor America's veterans for their service, dedication, and sacrifice. The theme for Veterans Day 2023 is "Service." This week, consider how your department supports and recognizes your current and potential members who have served in the U.S. military. Joseph Danao is the deputy commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, a fire instructor, a volunteer firefighter/EMT, and a member of the National Volunteer Fire Council's SAFER Work Group, among other positions. He provided his insight on how volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel can recruit and retain veterans in their organization.  

VIDEO: A spicy challenge had Hall County firefighters laughing and gasping for air as they tackled insanely hot wings while answering questions. Like the YouTube series "Hot Ones," hosted by Sean Evans, where celebrities answer questions while enduring increasingly spicy wings, three Hall County Fire Rescue team members decided to try the idea themselves. In their show, "Too Hot to Handle," Lieutenant Brian Gregory, firefighters Gavin Berry and Coleman Lowenthal gave the audience some memorable moments between water and milk-drinking breaks. "The point of this exercise is to show that we can withstand the heat," Lowenthal said, laughing. While the firefighters may have been left reaching for milk and coughing, the show served as a unique opportunity for residents to connect with the local heroes who protect their community.