VIDEO/PHOTOS: The McAllen fire department, along with other local fire and law enforcement agencies, came together to grant four-year-old Justin Perez's wish to become one of his favorite superheroes, a firefighter. Fire Chief Jim Schultz said it was heartwarming to know that Perez looks up to front line workers. "When we got this call and were made aware of his situation and his request, we were willing to do everything we could for this young man," he said. Schultz said when it comes to giving back to the community it is important to go above and beyond. Throughout the day, Perez was not only able to wear a firefighter suit but also experience what it was like to do day-to-day firefighter duties. Laura Moreno who is Justin's mom says she knew the community was planning something big for her son but was amazed to see that it was bigger than what she expected.  

Several Cedar Creek area fire departments joined forces to battle a house fire in Log Cabin Saturday night. According to a post on the Payne Springs Fire Rescue Facebook page, the Log Cabin Volunteer Fire Department requested mutual aid from other Henderson County fire departments regarding a structure fire. Payne Springs Fire Rescue responded with two fire engines, a tanker, a brush truck, and the PSFR chief. The Malakoff and Eustace volunteer fire departments also sent fire crews to help fight the fire. UT Health EMS was also on scene, and they treated one firefighter for some minor heat-related issues, the Facebook post stated. There were no other injuries. "The cause of the fire is under investigation," the Facebook post stated.  

With the cut of a ribbon, the new Kilgore College Fire Academy burn house is officially open for use. The firefighter training facility, which costs in the range of $260,000 was funded by grants. With help from Drover Energy of Kilgore doing the concrete slab, it replaced the 30-year-old brick and mortar structure that still stands. The burn house will have the latest capabilites for training firefighters. "When we are done, the building will be a full 7-story high rise structure. We will have full training capability from aerial apparatus operation to high rise fire fighting to residential fire fighting operation, technical rescue operation, elevator operation. When were finished with all four phases, there will be no training we cannot do for fire fighters in Texas." said Director of the Kilgore College Fire Academy Michael Simmons. They are currently in the process of putting in a grant for the next phase of expansion.  

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center continues to struggle to keep their shelves stocked with blood donations. The center provides services in more than 100 hospitals and clinics in South and Central Texas. In Windcrest, the community is coming together to host a blood drive after one of their own friends was affected by the shortage. On Sunday morning, Carol Hobaugh drove through the parking lot of Windcrest United Methodist Church to drop off homemade cookies in gratitude for the community's support. "All I did was put in a prayer request, and they ran with it," Hobaugh said. The blood drive is in honor of Dr. Don Hobaugh, who suffers from severe anemia and kidney disease. As of Sunday morning, at least 30 people had committed to donate blood in the parking lot of the church; however, more donors are needed.  

Construction crews boring in Frisco cut into a six-inch gas line forcing the evacuation of a nearby neighborhood for nearly seven hours Friday. The line break was initially reported at about 9:10 a.m. The Little Elm Fire Department responded and was soon joined by the Frisco Fire Department, a hazmat team and Coserv utility crews who monitored levels while working to shut off and repair the gas line. Residents in the Grayhawk subdivision were asked to evacuate and drivers were urged to avoid Farm-to-Market Road 423 near Eldorado Parkway until the gas leak was cleared. According to Coserv, the gas was shut off around 2:06 p.m. and after the gas dissipated, about two hours later, the "all clear" was given and residents were allowed to return to their homes.  

A UPS driver is being hailed as a hero for saving a resident's life during a house fire in Longview. According to the Longview Fire Department, on May 3, around 8:10 p.m., officials responded to 106 W. Primrose Ln., just north of Pine Tree Primary School, on reports of a house fire. When crews arrived on scene, they found fire coming from the roof. The LFD was able to get into the attic to extinguish the blaze. The fire is believed to have started in the wall of the laundry room and traveled into the attic. There was one person at home at the time of the fire. The LFD says a UPS driver broke down the door ad rescued the occupant who was asleep. No injuries were reported.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A massive fire destroyed a historic church in Philadelphia's Tacony neighborhood. Firefighters were able to bring the flames under control around 7 p.m. Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said the building was a total loss. Built in 1884, St. Leo had been a community landmark in Tacony for more than 135 years. It became a worship site in 2013 after merging with Our Lady of Consolation Parish and it permanently closed in January 2019, according to a report by the Northeast Times. Maureen Nemchik joined St. Leo's in 1980 and fought back tears as she watched the fire. "It's really hard for all the people who've gone to St. Leo's for births, christenings, weddings, funerals and you know everything in between," Nemchik said. "I was married here. My daughter was married here."  

Fires in Fresno are up 50% compared to this time last year, and with the hottest months still ahead, officials say that percentage is expected to rise. Firefighters are expecting 2021 to be a record-breaking year. Crews have already put out 2,500 fires this year. That's nearly half of last year's total in just over four months. "Pretty incredible pace we are on. Most of the veteran firefighters in the department with 20 to 25 years on the job said they have never seen it like this," said Shane Brown with the Fresno Fire Department. In just the first nine days of May, crews have already responded to nearly 200 fire calls. "The numbers we are seeing now are completely unprecedented," Brown said. Brown says homeless-involved fires are up 100% from 2020. Vegetation fires are also on the rise, with an increase of 128% year over year. "Seeing these red flag warnings this early in the season, that is something that for several years has not happened," Brown said.  

A lawsuit filed by 10 Jacksonville firefighters who were injured last year while fighting a cargo ship fire at Blount Island has been transferred to federal court, News4Jax learned Friday. The lawsuit, filed by the Pajcic & Pajcic law firm, holds Hoegh Autoliners and several other companies responsible for the firefighters' injuries stemming from the cargo ship fire and resulting explosion. The 15-floor cargo ship caught fire June 4, 2020, while it was docked at Blount Island. As fire crews fought the flames, an explosion occurred on the eighth deck. Despite wearing protective gear, several firefighters suffered severe burns. None died, but several were hospitalized. In the end, it took more than 150 firefighters over a week to put out the fire, an effort that cost the city of Jacksonville millions of dollars. Among other things, the lawsuit claims the cargo ship was loaded with 2,400 junked and wrecked cars that didn't have their batteries and electrical systems disconnected.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: The McAllen fire department, along with other local fire and law enforcement agencies, came together to grant four-year-old Justin Perez's wish to become one of his favorite superheroes, a firefighter. Fire Chief Jim Schultz said it was heartwarming to know that Perez looks up to front line workers. "When we got this call and were made aware of his situation and his request, we were willing to do everything we could for this young man," he said. Schultz said when it comes to giving back to the community it is important to go above and beyond. Throughout the day, Perez was not only able to wear a firefighter suit but also experience what it was like to do day-to-day firefighter duties. Laura Moreno who is Justin's mom says she knew the community was planning something big for her son but was amazed to see that it was bigger than what she expected. "He doesn't even miss me," she said.  

The rate of average daily new COVID cases in the U.S. fell to below 41,000 over the weekend, down 30% from two weeks ago and the lowest level since September, Johns Hopkins University data showed. The country has reported an average of 2 million vaccinations per day over the past week, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, down 40% from its peak level. The U.S. is reporting 40,800 daily new infections, based on a seven-day average of data compiled by Johns Hopkins. That figure is down 30% over the past 14 days and 43% from the most recent high point, when the country was seeing about 71,000 daily cases in mid-April. It is also the lowest average since Sept. 19. The latest seven-day average of daily U.S. COVID deaths is 667, Johns Hopkins data shows, far below the winter highs.