Hot Shots 6/25

    June 15, 2025
    The Northampton Fire Department responded to a call for a fire at a garage that was attached to a dwelling. First-arriving units found the garage and most of the 2½-story house well involved.
    Photo by Thomas Kohler
    The Northampton Fire Department responded to a call for a fire at a garage that was attached to a dwelling. First-arriving units found the garage and most of the 2½-story house well involved. The operation was defensive from the start. Shortly after that order was given, the roof and second floor collapsed. Firefighters encountered a heavy fire load amid temperatures that were in the low teens. Mutual aid from departments from the municipalities of Easton, Nazareth, Palmer, Tatamy and Wilson responded.
    The Northampton Fire Department responded to a call for a fire at a garage that was attached to a dwelling. First-arriving units found the garage and most of the 2½-story house well involved. The operation was defensive from the start. Shortly after that order was given, the roof and second floor collapsed. Firefighters encountered a heavy fire load amid temperatures that were in the low teens. Mutual aid from departments from the municipalities of Easton, Nazareth, Palmer, Tatamy and Wilson responded.

    Forks Township, PA, Jan. 21 - The Northampton Fire Department responded to a call for a fire at a garage that was attached to a dwelling. First-arriving units found the garage and most of the 2½-story house well involved. The operation was defensive from the start. Shortly after that order was given, the roof and second floor collapsed. Firefighters encountered a heavy fire load amid temperatures that were in the low teens. Mutual aid from departments from the municipalities of Easton, Nazareth, Palmer, Tatamy and Wilson responded. Photo by Thomas Kohler.

    Photo by Dan Gonska
    Following numerous calls that reported a vehicle on fire in a yard, Drexel Heights Fire District Battalion 415 arrived and immediately upgraded the fire to a structure fire because of the heavy fire load that was around a recreational vehicle. When crews from Engine 423 arrived, members stretched a 1¾-inch handline to extinguish the blaze. Additional crews arrived to assist with the extensive overhaul that was needed because of the amount of trash that was on scene.
    Following numerous calls that reported a vehicle on fire in a yard, Drexel Heights Fire District Battalion 415 arrived and immediately upgraded the fire to a structure fire because of the heavy fire load that was around a recreational vehicle. When crews from Engine 423 arrived, members stretched a 1¾-inch handline to extinguish the blaze. Additional crews arrived to assist with the extensive overhaul that was needed because of the amount of trash that was on scene.

    Drexel Heights, AZ, March 17 - Following numerous calls by citizens that reported a vehicle on fire in a yard, Drexel Heights Fire District Battalion 415 arrived and immediately upgraded the fire to a structure fire because of the heavy fire load that was located around a recreational vehicle. When the crew from Engine 423 arrived, members stretched a 1¾-inch handline to extinguish the blaze. Additional crews arrived to assist with the extensive overhaul that was needed because of the abundant amount of trash that was on scene. Photo by Dan Gonska.

    Photo by Howard Meile III
    Special operations teams from the Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore County Fire Department and Howard County Fire and Rescue Services worked at the site of a trench collapse alongside a 10 x 15-foot stone wall. Two workers were in an 8-foot deep trench to reinforce a basement wall of a house when the wall fell outward and onto them. At least 50 rescue technicians worked for about seven hours to extricate the victims, who were pronounced dead on scene.
    Special operations teams from the Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore County Fire Department and Howard County Fire and Rescue Services worked at the site of a trench collapse alongside a 10 x 15-foot stone wall. Two workers were in an 8-foot deep trench to reinforce a basement wall of a house when the wall fell outward and onto them. At least 50 rescue technicians worked for about seven hours to extricate the victims, who were pronounced dead on scene.

    Catonsville, MD, Feb. 28 - Special operations teams from the Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore County Fire Department and Howard County Fire and Rescue Services worked at the site of a trench collapse alongside a 10 x 15-foot stone wall. Two workers were in an 8-foot deep trench to reinforce a basement wall of a house when the wall fell outward and onto them. At least 50 rescue technicians worked for about seven hours to extricate the victims, who were pronounced dead on scene. Photo by Howard Meile III.

    Photo by Tim Snopek
    Members of the Brookfield Fire Department (BFD) and 14 other fire departments worked for about three-and-a-half hours to bring under control a grass/marsh fire during strong wind conditions that blew embers from burning trees. Limited access to areas of the marsh also hampered firefighting efforts. At the height of the fire, two subdivisions that contained multimillion-dollar houses were evacuated as a precaution. Crews and apparatus from an additional four fire departments backfilled BFD fire stations.
    Members of the Brookfield Fire Department (BFD) and 14 other fire departments worked for about three-and-a-half hours to bring under control a grass/marsh fire during strong wind conditions that blew embers from burning trees. Limited access to areas of the marsh also hampered firefighting efforts. At the height of the fire, two subdivisions that contained multimillion-dollar houses were evacuated as a precaution. Crews and apparatus from an additional four fire departments backfilled BFD fire stations.

    Brookfield, WI, March 9 - Members of the Brookfield Fire Department (BFD) and 14 other fire departments worked for about three-and-a-half hours to bring under control a grass/marsh fire during strong wind conditions that blew embers from burning trees. Limited access to areas of the marsh also hampered firefighting efforts. At the height of the fire, two subdivisions that contained multimillion-dollar houses were evacuated as a precaution. Crews and apparatus from an additional four fire departments backfilled BFD fire stations. Photo by Tim Snopek.

    About the Author

    Rich Dzierwa | Managing Editor, Firehouse Magazine

    Rich Dzierwa joined Firehouse Magazine in 2019 after four tenures with other publications. He was editor-in-chief of Consumers Digest/ConsumersDigest.com and of trade magazine Cutting Tool Engineering. He served as the consumer products reporter for BridgeNews and began his publishing career with an 11-year tenure at Appliance magazine, where he rose to managing editor after serving in other roles. Dzierwa's experience with consumer products, including furnishings, appliances, electronics and space design, has transferred to his Firehouse work regarding the magazine's Station Design columns and the Station Design Awards. Previous work also has contributed to his supervision of several surveys of fire service/EMS members, to produce unique reporting for Firehouse's audience. Dzierwa earned a bachelor's degree in English from Columbia College Chicago.

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