3 fallen Michigan firefighters to be honored during national ceremony

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) will host the 43rd National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (Memorial Weekend) on May 4-5, 2024 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s national tribute will honor 89 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2023 and 137 firefighters who died in previous years. The honorees will include three lower Michigan firefighters. No U.P. firefighters died in the line of duty in 2023. Firefighter Ronald Cassada, age 66, of the Ottawa Lake Whiteford Fire Department, died on 9/27/2021 due to complications of COVID-19. Firefighter/Apparatus Operator Ricky Hill Jr., age 49, of the Flint Fire Department, collapsed at the scene of a structure fire on 2/25/23. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital due to a heart attack.
WLUC-TV NBC/FOX 6 Marquette

Wayland Fire Chief Jim Stoddard in critical care unit following cardiac emergency

Wayland Fire Chief Jim Stoddard is in the critical care unit at Butterworth Hospital after he had a cardiac emergency on April 26, the Wayland Fire Department announced in a Facebook post. The department said Stoddard has always cared for the community and now needs the community's care in return. "We understand that our community is incredibly generous and supportive, so the question 'what can we do to help?' will inevitably arise. At this time, we request all to uplift Chief Stoddard, his family and his medical team in your prayers," the post said. The department said it will share more information, as well as any physical needs that may arise, on its Facebook page.
WZZM-TV ABC 13 Grand Rapids

Fire engulfs barn at St. Joseph County fairgrounds

PHOTOS: On Saturday afternoon, a fire broke out at Barn 42 on the St. Joseph County fairgrounds. Firefighters and police were notified just after 4 p.m., and several fire departments, including Centreville Fire Department, Three Rivers Fire Department, Fabius-Park Fire Department, Colon Fire Department, Mendon Fire Department, Tri-Township Fire Department, and Burr Oak Fire Department, responded to the fire. The fire caused significant damage, and excavators came in around 6:30 p.m. to bring down the remaining parts of the building that had not been burned up. Due to the fire, electricity on the fairgrounds was cut. The fairgrounds have been temporarily closed until all inspections have been completed and the area is deemed safe to re-enter. The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and an investigation is ongoing.
WSBT-TV CBS 22 South Bend

Nightingale Lanes fire in Burton sends cloud of smoke over Flint area

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A major fire in Burton is sending a massive column of smoke over the Flint area Friday morning. The fire was reported around 6:30 a.m. at the former Nightingale Lanes in the 4400 block of Davison Road. The fire is located across from the GM Davison Road Processing Center. Reports from 911 indicate that people driving by have observed flames shooting out of the building. The Burton Fire Department requested mutual aid from several Genesee County fire departments. The roof appeared to collapse by 7:30 a.m. and the walls were starting to cave in. Davison Road was closed to all traffic between Center and Genesee roads while fire crews responded to the blaze, according to the Genesee County 911 Communications Center. Nightingale Lanes permanently closed its doors back in 2012.
WJRT-TV ABC 12 Flint

59-year-old woman found dead after house fire in Flushing Township

A 59-year-old woman was found dead inside her residence in Flushing Township after a fire Wednesday evening. Flushing Fire Chief Jim Michael said neighbors reported the fire around 5:55 p.m. in the 8000 block of Dunham Street, which runs north of Mt. Morris Road east of Nichols Road. The first fire crews on the scene found smoke and flames. Firefighters found the woman's body in the kitchen, which is where they believe the fire started. However, a specific cause of the fire remained under investigation Thursday morning. Fire crews brought the flames under control within an hour, but they remained on the scene well into Wednesday evening to douse hot spots and start the investigation. Authorities did not identify the woman who died.
WJRT-TV ABC 12 Flint

Grand Blanc Township Fire Department plans centennial celebrations

On Dec. 9, 1920, a grease spill on a kerosene stove ignited a fire in the basement of the Grand Blanc consolidated school. The blaze proved to be too much for the neighbors who formed a bucket brigade, and the building burned to the ground. It was then that a group of Grand Blanc business owners decided the community needed its own fire department. And, some time in 1924, they purchased a new Ford Model T fire truck and the volunteer fire department was officially formed to serve Grand Blanc, Atlas and Mundy townships. This year, the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department will celebrate its centennial with two major events starting with the Firefighter for a Day 5K Run/Walk and festivities on International Firefighters Day, Saturday, May 4, at Creasey Bicentennial Park.
Swartz Creek View