Two people died within 24 hours in Skagway over the weekend. Illicit drug overdoses are suspected in both cases. On Friday night, shortly before midnight, Skagway Police Officer James Michels responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive male. "Upon arriving on scene, there was evidence of possible illicit drug use," Michels said. Michels says Narcan, used to reverse the effects of opiates, was administered by EMS who arrived within seconds of police. "Life-saving measures were in progress. I was doing chest compressions, While EMS was pushing Narcan. And we continued to roll that way until the on-duty provider showed up and took over," Michels said. Those efforts were unsuccessful. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by the on-duty medical provider at the victim's residence.  

A three-story building that stood for more than a century in downtown Laurel was being taken down Wednesday afternoon following an early morning fire that damaged the brick structure beyond repair. No injuries were reported, and the State Fire Marshal's Office continues to investigate the blaze that destroyed the 113-year-old building located at 130 E. Market St. Martin Torbert, who was staying at his girlfriend's place, said he walked out to smoke when he noticed what he thought was a thick fog. The Seaford resident then realized the fog was, in fact, smoke from the fire. "The whole building was just engulfed in smoke," he told Delaware Online/The News Journal. "You can hear the window panes cracking from the heat, and as soon as those window panes came out, it was an inferno."  

VIDEO: A former firefighter who was badly burned on the job is turning his pain into purpose. Jake LaFerriere helped set up a first-of-its kind facility for families facing the same struggles. It was in 2010 when LaFerriere's life changed forever when he was on duty as a Minneapolis firefighter. "I was on fire and I jumped from the third floor, and by the grace of God I survived this experience because there was a porch overhand down here that caught me," LaFerriere said. "I knew my career as a firefighter was over. I was really struggling to want to live at this point." But he says he was inspired by kids he met in the burn unit, and he took his second chance at life to help others. He started a nonprofit called "Firefighters for Healing," and created a burn survivor camp.  

PHOTO: REV Fire Group has partnered with Daytona International Speedway to provide four firefighting trucks to the track ahead of the 2023 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and Daytona 500. While these include standard pumpers, one will be an electric model called the Vector. "We are excited to provide the all-electric Vector for our Florida neighbor, Daytona International Speedway, to protect its employees, NASCAR drivers, and the many fans and spectators who attend The Great American Race and other events," commented REV Fire Group Vice President Mike Virnig. "Vector also protects the environment, making this a perfect collaboration with DIS and NASCAR and their many green initiatives designed to reduce the track and sport's carbon footprint and promote sustainability."  

Firefighters across the world risk their lives every day to protect citizen lives, properties and the environment from disasters. Rescue missions and other duties — such as saving a family from a burning building or pulling an injured person out of a vehicle after a collision — can prove to be extremely challenging, especially paired with the grueling schedules they are required to work. Often referred to as "tactical athletes," firefighters and other first responders encounter much of the same types of injuries that traditional sport athletes do. But, while the average professional athletic career in sports lasts five to seven years, professional firefighters end up exerting themselves physically and mentally for 25 years or more, with no "off-season" to recover from injuries and exertion.