At least four people, including a teen, were taken to the hospital after fireworks exploded and sparked a large fire at a warehouse in Orange County Thursday night, according to Orange County Fire Rescue.
The fire occurred at 901 Central Florida Parkway at around 7:10 p.m., fire officials said.
According to Battalion Chief Garrett Wienckowski, crews were told on the way to the fire that there were fireworks going off in the building, and people were still trapped inside.
Upon arrival, crews said they saw flames and began treating multiple patients. Officials on Thursday initially reported that five people were hurt in the incident, later clarifying there were four patients.
In a briefing, Wienckowski said the warehouse caught fire after the fireworks stored inside ignited — though the cause of ignition is still unknown.
WKMG-TV CBS 6 Orlando
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VIDEO: A Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue truck needed rescuing itself Friday morning.
It caught fire inside a fleet facility in the 500 block of Southwest 34th Street near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
Only one ladder truck in the service bay was damaged and it was moved outside the warehouse to be towed.
Authorities confirmed that the truck sustained serious damage, and there was also smoke and water damage to some equipment.
No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
WPLG-TV ABC 10 Miami
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First responders, particularly firefighters, are at a higher risk of getting cancer because of what they can be exposed to while doing their jobs.
Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center has a special program that helps them navigate treatment. So far, 21 first responders have gone through the program since it started less than two years ago.
Brooke Westerhoff has a lot of titles to list. She is a firefighter and EMT with Putnam County Fire Rescue, and a newlywed. Westerhoff is also a cancer survivor.
“It is a second chance at life because I look at everything differently now,” Westerhoff said.
Westerhoff has been cancer-free for 10 months now.
She was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkins Lymphoma in July 2021 while planning her wedding.
WJXT-TV 4 Jacksonville
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East Manatee Fire Rescue commissioners passed a five-year plan Nov. 22 that focuses on the infrastructure needed to accommodate additional firefighters.
The department is planning for expansion of its personnel to deal with the area's rapid growth.
The five-year plan also recommends adding an Advanced Life Support program.
“Chief (Lee Whitehurst) and staff did a heck of a job,” Fire Commissioner Derek Foss said of putting together the plan. “We’ve got a plan to expand, and hire more people, and (Advanced Life Support) is in there as well.”
Advanced Life Support refers to adding equipment and paramedic-certified firefighters, who can offer care beyond what regular firefighters can provide.
Whitehurst was pleased that commissioners showed unanimous support of the plan. He noted the plan is not a fixed path for the department, but a guide which the board has the ability to revise moving forward, if needed.
Your Observer
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VIDEO: Dozens of Martin County first responders spent the morning at the fairgrounds assembling bicycles for families in need for the holidays.
More than 150 bikes were put together by firefighters and paramedics to help spread holiday cheer for parents and families who wouldn’t be able to otherwise afford it.
“Knowing we can come here and help out, it’s a good feeling," said James Horton, with Martin County Fire Rescue.
The United Way Holiday Project is behind the yearly event and coordinates the Toys for Tots drive locally with the help of other organizations.
"We cry as staff as we watch families go through, and it’s the parents and the dignity we provide for them to pick out their toys for their children," Carol Howard Dietz, president and CEO at United Way Martin County, said.
WPBF-TV ABC 25 Tequesta
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