MARCH 21: OAKLAND, CA — Two men were killed and dozens were displaced by a three-alarm fire at a former armory building converted into apartments. The fire started in a large, two-story apartment building containing six units and spread to a rear, adjoining building with 35 units.
MARCH 21: BROOKLYN, NY — Seven children, ages 5-15, were killed in a raging fire that destroyed a home. A total of 25 FDNY engines and other units, along with 106 firefighters and other personnel, responded to the deadly blaze.
MARCH 21: NEW YORK, NY — Two people were killed and 19 others were injured after a building explosion led to a seven-alarm fire in Manhattan’s East Village. Four buildings were affected, including three that eventually collapsed. Evidence suggests it was a gas-related explosion.
MARCH 31: SAN BERNADINO VALLEY, CA — A fast-moving brush fire caused by a controlled burn got out of hand due to high winds, growing to about 60 acres within two hours. The blaze ignited during a controlled burn in Mojave Narrows Park by the county parks department to clear out cattails. About 200 firefighters, two bulldozers and four airships were used to fight the blaze.
APRIL 3: LOUISVILLE, KY — Nearly 200 firefighters battled a huge fire at General Electric's Appliance Park, which employs thousands of people. There were no injuries in the blaze, which broke out Friday morning and was still smoldering Saturday afternoon. A cause of the fire is still being determined, but it occurred as storms and lightning hit the area.
APRIL 4: CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — A 46-year-old man suffered first- and second-degree burns to his face, arm and back after he mistook a container full of gasoline for water while trying to extinguish a grass fire. The man, and at least two others, were working on a pickup truck in a carport when a discarded cigarette apparently started the fire.
APRIL 5: METHUEN, MA — Two members of the Methuen Fire Department rescued a 20-year-old snowmobiler who fell through the ice at Forest Lake. Firefighters also rescued a New Hampshire man who had dragged a canoe out onto the ice and pulled the snowmobiler out of the water, but could not bring him back to shore.
APRIL 6: CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD — More than 100 firefighters worked together to extinguish a massive fire at a commercial building that contained a roofing company in the 8700 block of Ashwood Drive. Pumpers from West Lanham Hill and Kentland were destroyed by the three-alarm fire.
APRIL 6: PRINCESS ANNE, MD — A single dad and his seven children were found dead in their one-story home. While the cause of death remains under investigation, an empty gas-powered generator was found inside the house, leading to questions of carbon monoxide poisoning.
APRIL 6: JACKSONVILLE, FL — Approximately 60 small businesses were destroyed in a four-alarm fire that raced through a football field-size row of the Pecan Park Flea & Farmers' Market off Interstate 95. More than 100 firefighters needed two hours to control the blaze. The origin and cause have not been determined. No injuries were reported at the market, which is only open on the weekends.
Thanks to contributors: Jay K. Bradish and Matthew Sosnowski
