Father and daughter dead, mother and son injured in Fulton County home explosion

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: Two people are dead and two others were injured when a home exploded in Fulton County Thursday morning. A home near the intersection of County Road K and County Road 12 near Wauseon exploded around 5:30 a.m. on May 16. According to authorities at the scene, a father and daughter were killed. A mother and son were taken to an area hospital for their injuries. A witness told 13 Action News he was on his way to work when he saw the house explode. The man and a few other Good Samaritans pulled the mother from the front of the house and the son was pulled from the back of the house. Officials have not yet identified the people killed in the explosion.
WTVG-TV ABC/CW 13 Toledo

New cancer-detecting blood test now available to Northeast Ohio fire departments at University Hospitals

VIDEO: In 2017, after four attempts, Ohio finally passed cancer presumption legislation for firefighters, recognizing cancer was indeed a risk of their profession and medical expenses should be covered by the Bureau of Workers Compensation. Senate Bill 27 was named the Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act, after the Beachwood Fire Captain who'd been battling occupational brain cancer. He died a month after the law went into effect. Since that time, 285 firefighters filed claims and 224 were approved, according to the Ohio BWC. Firefighters are known to be at much higher risk for cancer because of the many carcinogens they're exposed to during their jobs. On average in the United States, one in two men and one and three women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, and many will be diagnosed in later stages when it is more difficult to treat.
WKYC-TV NBC 3 Cleveland

Explosion at Royal Chemical Company injures 3 in Macedonia

VIDEOS/PHOTOS: One person suffered life-threatening burns but is expected to survive after what a fire official called “a tragic industrial accident” at a Macedonia chemical plant late Wednesday morning. Macedonia firefighters responded at about 11:40 a.m. to at Royal Chemical Company along South Freeway Drive — near Interstate 271 — for a report of a tanker truck explosion, Macedonia Fire Chief Brian Ripley told reporters Wednesday afternoon. The cause of the blast is under investigation. “We know it involves sodium hydroxide,” which is highly corrosive but not flammable, Ripley said. “We’re not exactly sure what happened yet.” Sodium hydroxide is a caustic chemical made of solid white crystals, which can burn eyes and skin, according to the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety.
WKBN-TV CBS 27 Youngstown

Ashtabula County dispatcher saves lives, brings others into the world

VIDEO: Every time the phone rings at the Ashtabula County 911 Center, dispatchers have no idea who may be calling or the nature of the emergency. But Ashtabula County Sheriff Dispatch Supervisor Shannon Mellin tells us the department has assembled a great team. “When the pressure is on they step up,” Mellin told the Fox 8 I-Team. “They execute at a very high rate.” Mellin says she is confident that the highly-trained dispatchers can help you get through any emergency. Including the good ones, and the tough ones. The Ashtabula County sheriff says he is extremely proud of all the dispatchers and the work they do every day helping those in need. Dispatcher Shayla Terry, who in the past year helped save a life and also assisted in bringing a life into the world, says she treats every call like she is talking to a family member.
WJW-TV FOX 8 Cleveland

Northeast Ohio fire departments rescue baby animals from wall, drain

Two fire departments in Northeast Ohio performed some lifesaving rescues for animals in need recently. The Cleveland Fire Department rescued a frequent flier after its owner called saying her kitten was stuck in a wall. Fire officials say this is the second time this cat has needed rescuing since being adopted. Firefighters tore through drywall to rescue the kitten and return it to its owner. In Twinsburg, a small bird stuck in a storm drain was saved by fire crews Wednesday night. Twinsburg fire officials say a Kildare chick was rescued from harm’s way after firefighters access the drain and quickly remove the chick. The bird was them placed within eyesight of its concerned, onlooking parents, firefighters say. Officials warn residents to watch out for young wildlife around homes and neighborhoods as the Spring season continues.
WOIO-TV CBS 19 Cleveland