San Angelo Fire Chief Brian Dunn retired Friday, February 25th, after serving the community of San Angelo for the past 32 years. Many people from the community of San Angelo and the surrounding areas gathered at the McNease Convention Center in celebration of the work that Dunn had done during his time as Fire Chief. Dunn has accomplished many things during his 21 years working as chief for the SAFD. Some of those accomplishments include reducing the San Angelo's Insurance Services Office fire rating from class 4 to class 1, establishing an ongoing mutual aid agreement with Goodfellow Air Force Base for hazmat and firefighters, and hiring 217 new firefighters. "I am happy," Dunn shared after the event. "I have loved my job all these years, but I am ready for a rest. Mentally, I am 54 years old but I am about 90 mileage wise."  

According to the Amarillo Fire Department, a four-year-old child was killed in a Sunday morning house fire caused by a gas stove being used for heat. At around 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, the Amarillo Fire Department said crews were dispatched to a single-story house fire in the 1400 block of North Lincoln. Although the home was not showing fire when crews arrived, firefighters found an occupant standing in the driveway. After entering the home, firefighters reported finding one other adult, and the four-year-old victim undergoing CPR in the backyard. No active fire was found in the search, with the flames appearing to have mostly burned themselves out before crews arrived, according to the department. The home had taken severe fire damage and still held smoke in all areas, and firefighters used a small amount of water to cool down where the fire had started.  

VIDEO: A large fire caused damage to several businesses at a strip mall on Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena around 2 a.m. Monday morning. When the Pasadena Fire Department crews arrived, they say they saw several businesses in flames. Pasadena's fire chief says they were able to stop the fire from spreading to other parts of the strip mall, but unfortunately could not save three businesses. Property owners got word of the awful news. "I mean it's pretty devastating," said Pasadena Fire Chief Lanny Armstrong. "Two o'clock in the morning you get here and your business is on fire." Armstrong says the age and size of the building made fighting the fire more difficult, with one roof on the brink of collapsing. Pasadena FD called for help early during the fire.  

Two people were taken to a hospital after a fire broke out on Seymour Road over the weekend. The fire broke out at The Maverick apartments early Saturday morning. According to Wichita Falls Fire Department, the fire started at the fireplace of one of the apartments and spread into the attic. When crews got there, they heard a woman yelling from inside the apartment. She and one other person were rescued. Both were taken to a hospital for smoke inhalation. Eleven fire units and 25 firefighters responded to the fire and were eventually able to get it under control in about an hour. The Red Cross was called in to help those displaced.  

A family is displaced after flames tore through their North Side home overnight, according to the San Antonio Fire Department. The fire happened around 10:27 p.m. Saturday in the 19000 block of Encino Brook. According to SAFD, the fire started in the garage before it quickly spread to the attic. Eventually, the flames broke through the roof as fire crews continued their efforts to extinguish the fire. Firefighters were able to contain the flames, but the damages to the home were significant, estimated at $150K, according to fire officials. The family was able to safely escape the fire and no injuries were reported. SAFD said they had another place to stay in town. The investigation into what caused the fire continues.  

A fire at an apartment complex in southwest Houston is now under investigation. Flames were first reported at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon in the 10000 block of Club Creek Drive. Investigators said seven units were damaged by the fire and nine others were damaged by smoke and water. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The Red Cross has been notified and officials said they will try and help residents find a warm place to stay.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A raging six-alarm blaze spread to three multi-family homes in East Boston early Monday morning, leaving dozens of people displaced. Firefighters responding to a reported fire on Maverick Street around 3:30 a.m. found heavy flames on all three floors of one building and discovered that the fire had spread to two adjacent buildings, according to the Boston Fire Department. The flames could be seen shooting out of the roof of one of the homes as more than 100 firefighters worked to battle the blaze. Residents living in those buildings recalled hearing their windows cracking before firefighters knocked on their doors, asking them to evacuate. "I can't describe it. I just, just seeing all your things, imagine, watching all the stuff that you own just like burn down, you can't really put words into it," one person said.  

VIDEO: An Oakland hook-and-ladder fire truck crashed into a building Saturday near Lake Merritt, and it was all caught on camera. The video shows one fire engine speed through the intersection. Then, a car tries to make a left turn, right in front of the ladder truck following closely behind. That ladder truck swerves to avoid the car, and goes straight into the storefront of a ground floor business at Grand Ave. and Perkins St. Fire officials say the truck is considered totaled. Three of the five firefighters onboard were taken to Highland Hospital, and are expected to be okay. The truck was headed to a fire- its lights and sirens were on- when the crash happened. A city building inspector is now on scene, evaluating the damage.  

Big crowds can also create big emergencies in Mobile. First responders are ready. A 14 hour day on Sunday starts with a meeting. Crews get their gear and start wheeling it out. All Mardi Gras Emergency calls are routed through a command center at the fire station on Francis Street. It creates a city within the city for greater speed. "Efficiency, certainly our ability to be able to respond in a crowded area, that would be impossible otherwise," said EMS Chief Jim Cox. Sure they have traditional ambulances–but also a fleet of pedal-powered bicycles loaded with gear. "If there's a medical emergency or any emergency it's difficult for an ambulance to navigate or maneuver through a crowd so we use our bikes to quickly and easily access someone in a medical emergency," said Steven Millhouse with MFRD. Other lifesavers include specially modified golf carts, used by MFRD as mini ambulances.  

If you're wondering what the community level of COVID-19 is in your area, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an updated map that makes the latest data easy to see. The U.S. COVID-19 Community Levels by County map covers all U.S. States and territories and breaks down the level of spread on a per-county basis. Under the CDC's newest framework—announced on Friday—the COVID-19 community level is determined by looking at the total number of COVID-19 cases in the area as well as hospital admissions and hospital bed occupancy. The interactive map lets you click on any state to see all its counties. You can then click on any county to see its COVID-19 community level. Additionally, the page has a dropdown menu that lets you select your state and county to quickly see your community level as well as a list of precautions you should take.