Fire tears through Caroline County garage

PHOTOS: A Tuesday evening fire in the Ladysmith Village subdivision in Caroline County did serious damage to a garage. According to Caroline Fire Rescue & Emergency Management, firefighters responded to the subdivision just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14, for report of a structure fire. When they arrived at the home, they found a garage fully involved in fire, with thick smoke pouring from the front of the structure. Firefighters were able to put out the fire, which did not spread beyond the garage. According to fire officials, the occupant and their pets were not injured. They were able to escape safely because neighbors made them aware of the fire.
WRIC-TV ABC 8 Petersburg

Three injured in Appomattox County crash

Three people were injured in a Tuesday crash in Appomattox County, according to the Appomattox Volunteer Fire Department. According to firefighters, crews were dispatched shortly before 4 p.m. to reports of a crash in the 5000 block of Red House Rd. Deputies from the Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office extricated one person from the crash and performed first aid until the Appomattox County Rescue Squad arrived. Two additional people were extricated from the crash by firefighters. Firefighters say one of the cars caught fire, but flames were extinguished by a bystander before crews arrived. Firefighters thank the bystander, Appomattox Rescue, Delta Response Team, Appomattox Sheriff’s Office, Red House Volunteer Fire Department, Public Safety Dispatchers, Virginia State Police, and VDOT for their assistance.
WDBJ-TV CBS 7 Roanoke

Fire damages vacant Chesapeake home

A vacant two-story home in the Deep Creek area of Chesapeake sustained “significant” damage as the result of a fire Tuesday evening, a city fire official said. Firefighters got the call at 8:29 p.m. in the 2900 block of S. Military Hwy., and when Engine Company 28 arrived six minutes later, they found visible smoke and flames coming from the home, Chesapeake Fire Lt. Shaun Williams said. Crews used multiple hoselines and were able to put out the fire by 8:51 p.m. No firefighters were injured. Fire investigators are working to determine the fire’s cause.
WAVY-TV NBC 10 Portsmouth

Richmond finalizes labor deals with unions for police, firefighters and other city employees

The Richmond City Council approved collective bargaining agreements between the city and unions representing police, firefighters, emergency workers and other city employees. The city’s three-year labor deals with the unions — the Richmond Coalition of Police, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 995 and the Service Employees International Union, Virginia 512 – take effect on July 1 through June 30, 2027. Each contract has different provisions, including pay increases and covering issues such as working conditions, hours, safety and health, disciplinary actions, grievances, leave and other benefits. City Council President Kristen Nye, representing the city’s 4th district, called Richmond “trailblazers in the commonwealth in terms of collective bargaining” before the council voted Monday to approve the three labor contracts.
WRIC-TV ABC 8 Petersburg

She survived a bear attack; now she’s able to thank the Lunenburg County first responders who saved her

VIDEO: A black bear attacked Wendy Cowan while she walked her dog Ripley near her parents' Lunenburg County home last fall. Eight months later, Cowan finally got the chance to thank the first responders who helped save her. "I'm so glad you're OK," Victoria Fire & Rescue EMT Chelsea Mayton said while hugging Cowan during their meeting on Tuesday. "They're just wonderful. I mean, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for these guys," Cowan said about the first responders. "I just knew I was going to be okay. I didn't have any doubts about that." Cowan was in much better shape Tuesday than when she last met the first responders. It was October 2023 when Ripley ran ahead of Cowan during a walk near the woods. When the dog came out of the woods running toward Cowan, a black bear was hot on its trail.
WTVR-TV CBS 6 Richmond