Two children are recovering in the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center after withstanding life-threatening burns from attempting a challenge from social medial platform TikTok that involves fire and rubbing alcohol. Palmer Fire and Rescue said that it responded to the two burn victims and transported them to the hospital, according to a Facebook post by the department on Wednesday. The department said the challenge the two children were attempting involved rubbing alcohol and fire. The announcement also reminded folks about the potential dangers of online challenges. "On television, you often hear, ‘don't try this at home,'" officials stated in the Facebook post. "This is because most often, professional stuntmen and stuntwomen conducting the stunt or ‘challenge' are trained, have conducted plenty of research and have plans and professionals in place in the event something goes wrong."  

VIDEO: After an hours-long battle on Thursday, a massive 3-alarm fire at a distribution center in Carson is under control, according to fire officials. It took about 200 firefighters to get the blaze under control. According to an employee, a barrel of hand sanitizer exploded and prompted the fire. It started around 2 p.m. near S Avalon and E Alondra boulevards. An employee told ABC7 a barrel of hand sanitizer exploded and believes it prompted the fire. The official cause of the fire has not been released. Video from above the fire at its peak showed the flames being fueled by hundreds of burning pallets. Fire officials confirmed to Eyewitness News that some of those pallets were packed with a variety of items, including products made with rubbing alcohol. They say the distribution center consists of several floors, all stocked with different items.  

Cancer is a serious health threat facing today's firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters have an increased risk of developing several types of cancers, due to the occupational hazards they face. However, there are steps firefighters can take to protect themselves and their crew. The National Volunteer Fire Council and International Association of Fire Chiefs' Volunteer and Combination Officers Section released the Lavender Ribbon Report to present 11 specific actions firefighters need to take to lessen their risk of occupational cancer. Make these standard operating procedures in your department. The Lavender Ribbon Report Update, released in September 2021, takes things a step further by sharing personal stories, examples of how departments are implementing the best practices, and other information to reinforce the actions firefighters need to take to lessen their exposure risks.  

PHOTOS: You could say Winter Park Firefighter-Paramedic Alfredo Escalera Jr. is a little bit of an adrenaline junkie. Born in Puerto Rico, Escalera moved to Casselberry with his mother when he was a small child. Later, he followed in his father's footsteps, becoming a boxer. His father, also named Alfredo Escalera, was a professional boxer with 70 bouts between 1970 and 1983. "He was a Super Featherweight World Champion from 1975 to 1978. So boxing was something that I grew up with, whenever I would visit him back in Puerto Rico. Boxing has kind of always been in my life," Escalera said. Escalera himself turned pro in 2005, with 24 bouts until his last fight in 2013. "I finished my record at 19-4-1. I made it as high as number 15 in the world," Escalera said.  

VIDEO: Entertainment One (eOne) today shared the first trailer and poster for family animated feature Fireheart, coming to cinemas early next year. The CG-animated movie centers on a girl who finds a way to follow her dream of becoming a firefighter and crack a mysterious case of serial arson across jazz age Broadway. The second feature film produced by Montreal's L'Atelier Animation (Leap!), Fireheart is directed by Laurent Zeitoun & Théodore Ty. Ever since she was a child, Georgia Nolan has had only one dream: to become a fireman, just like her father. Unfortunately, in New York City in 1930, women are not allowed to be firefighters. But, when the city's firemen begin to disappear in a series of mysterious fires at Broadway theaters, Georgia sees a golden opportunity.  

VIDEO: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to recognize this vital period of information and education, we've kicked off a new project — TODAY Paints the Town Pink. To get things started, on Friday, that meant turning a bright pink spotlight on three people whose lives have been impacted by the disease. These heroes each found their own ways to turn pain and fear into hope and help. We turned the spotlight to Marshall Moneymaker, a retired firefighter from Rockville, Maryland, who still suits up and gets behind the wheel of a pink firetruck every day. But he's no longer battling blazes. Instead, he's raising awareness about the disease that took the lives of all three of his sisters, and he's offering outreach to others with his nonprofit For 3 Sisters. "We help people get products, services, financial aid," he said.