Melissa Cheely and Damion Collins returned to their Oquawka, Illinois, home Saturday evening to find it had been reduced to a charred frame. "It was all gone by the time I got there," Cheely said. The couple had planned to spend the day in Ottumwa helping Cheely's daughter with a bathroom remodel, but then Cheely got a phone call. "The kids called and I was just waiting for them to tell me they were joking," Cheely said, explaining it wasn't until she spoke to a Henderson County Sheriff's deputy who was on the scene that reality sunk in. "It was absolutely the worst call I've ever had in my life." Her 17-year-old son, Jonathan Westfall, and Collins' 13-year-old son, Konar Collins, had stayed home. The younger of the two accidentally set fire to leaves near their home. The day's windy and dry conditions caused that fire to spread to the house.  

In recognition of Arson Week, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is raising awareness about the seriousness of this crime and educating Illinois residents about the true cost of arson and its impact on individuals and communities. Arson Awareness Week 2021 (May 2-8), highlights critical actions that first responders must take to help ensure a safe response to arson fires during periods of civil unrest. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 210,300 fires are intentionally set each year. Losses resulting from these fires included approximately 375 civilian deaths, 1,300 civilian injuries, and $1 billion in direct property damage. The incidence of these fires typically peaks in March and April and again in July. In 2020, OSFM Arson Special Agents responded to 1,051 investigations and canine teams assisted in 230 investigations. In 2020, the OSFM's Arson Division closed 53 arson related cases with an arrest.  

It's the time of year when City officials are reappointed by the Clinton City Council and Monday night Clinton's Commissioner of Public Safety announced the resignation of its Fire Chief. Chief Jeff Hoke has accepted a job out of state and submitted his resignation over the weekend. Dan Ballenger informed the Council Monday at the City Council meeting and indicates he will need some time to get someone appointed to that post. Other appointments Monday night include Stephen Page as Assistant Fire Chief, Steve Myers as City Attorney, Tim Followell to the position of the sexton of the cemetery, Cheryl Van Valey as City Clerk, and Clint Lichtenwalter as City Treasurer.  

The mother of an infant killed in a Vermilion fire has been arrested after authorities determined two deaths in the fire were homicides. The people killed in the fire, which occurred on the early morning of March 1 at 102 Water Street, were 2-month-old Nettie L. Phipps and 35-year-old Michael J. Phipps. Michael Phipps was in the infant victim's father. Edgar County Coroner Scott Barrett pronounced the victims dead on the scene. Autopsy results found Nettie Phipps died from a combination of thermal exposure and carbon monoxide inhalation. Michael Phipps was found to have died from thermal exposure, carbon monoxide inhalation and smoke inhalation. A Monday update from authorities said Barrett has ruled both deaths to be homicides.  

The fire that caused $250,000 in damage to the Women's Care Center in North Peoria on Monday was intentionally set, investigators with the Peoria Fire Department ruled. It wasn't clear what led investigators to determine it was arson, but the fire department said the office of the state fire marshal as well as the Peoria Police Department were assisting in the investigation. A motive for the fire as well as details on how and where it was set have not been released. Peoria police spokeswoman Amy Dotson said Monday night that she had no information to release regarding the incident.. Firefighters were called to the location, 7319 N. University St., at about 2:40 a.m. on a report of structure fire. When they arrived, they found heavy fire coming from the windows in the front of the building.  

The Decatur Fire Department responded to a structure fire call late on Monday night. According to the Fire Department, crews arrived at 2070 N. Charles around 11:50 p.m. on Monday, to find smoke coming from the backside of the residence. Two occupants safely evacuated the structure and have been relocated. Crews performed an aggressive interior attack and were met with heavy smoke, high heat, and fire. There was one minor injury to a Decatur Fire Department member. The structure is believed to have suffered an estimated $10,000 worth of damage. The State Fire Marshal is currently investigating the fire and has yet to determine the cause.  

VIDEO: Three people were hospitalized late Monday after vehicles collided as a tornado crossed Interstate 35E near Waxahachie, authorities say. The incident involved a "possible fatality" and happened at I-35E and Johnston Road, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The drivers of three tractor-trailers involved in the crash were taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waxahachie. One of the drivers was seriously injured, a DPS spokesman said. Both sides of the interstate were closed for about five hours. All lanes were reopened shortly after 3 a.m. The crash came on a night in which severe weather moved across the southern half of North Texas. NBC 5 Meteorologist Grant Johnston said a tornado that was visible on the S-Band Radar was confirmed to have crossed I-35E at that location.  

PHOTOS: Arlington County firefighters answer the call when someone is in need of help in Arlington. This weekend they provided an assist to a group of legendary Rosslyn area residents cast in bronze. Friday's windstorm tangled the flag atop the Marine Corps War Memorial, also known as the Iwo Jima memorial. To help fix it, the fire department at neary Fort Myer requested the assistance of ACFD and its extra-long ladder truck. "Captain Shawn Pendo, officer in charge of Tower 104, was called on Sunday morning by the Fort Myer Fire Department requesting assistance to fix the flag at the Marine Corps Memorial in Rosslyn," fire department spokesman Taylor Blunt tells ARLnow. "Captain Pendo quickly rounded up his crew for the special mission." "Once they arrived, Firefighter Kristin Pardiny positioned the bucket for her crew to disentangle and inspect the flag's halyard," Blunt continued. "The operation was done in under 30 minutes with no damage found."  

Not long ago, many of the fire departments in the county relied heavily on volunteer firefighters to handle operations. The cost to train a firefighter even on a volunteer basis, however, isn't cheap. That has caused many departments in the county to drop their volunteer programs while their full-time staffs have grown along with the population. Officials with Sugar Creek Township Fire Department made the decision recently to no longer use volunteers or train them after figuring the practice was not cost-effective. "We got tired of paying thousands to train firefighters and watching them leave and go elsewhere around the state," Chief Brandon Kleine said. "I joked around at one point saying ‘we were the best farm system in the state of Indiana.'" Twenty years ago, the department, made up of mostly volunteers, had about 700 runs per year.  

VIDEO: A tool has landed at Miami-Dade and Broward Fire Rescue and it's proven to be a gamechanger for emergencies in South Florida. Drones have really proven to change the dynamic for firefighters in our area. It's something we could only see more of in the future. "It's been completely a blessing for the fire department," said Chief Andres Liriano with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. "It's a huge change, we're talking about an increase in accountability, they can track personnel throughout the scene. It also gives them another view of the scene they've never seen before," said Sean Quitoni, an engineer and drone operator for Broward Fire Rescue. It's a view of an emergency that includes 4K cameras, optical zoom, infrared capability and allows rescue crews both in Miami-Dade and Broward to get up close and personal. "Well, with remote areas we are huge for that. There have been cases where there have been missing jet skiers in the mangroves that air rescue can't get a view of because of the mangroves," said Miami-Dade Fire Captain Derek Foster.  

A bill that would help first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PSTD) is closer to becoming law in South Carolina. Unlike a physical injury, mental illnesses or mental injuries are not covered under workers' compensation. House bill 3939 will allow first responders like firefighters and law enforcement to receive workers compensation if diagnosed with a stress-related and mental illness caused by a traumatic event while on duty. State Rep. Tommy Pope of York County introduced the bill. He's a former law enforcement officer and prosecutor. Pope said his initial proposal focused on PTSD stemming from deadly force incidents. "From my experience in law enforcement, what often happens is several of us could be involved in the same incident, but it may affect you differently than it affects me," Pope said. "Some people could go right on and some people may never be able to work again."