1 hospitalized after apparent gas explosion in Richfield, officer says

VIDEO/PHOTOS: A home explosion just south of Minneapolis sent one woman to the hospital Tuesday morning. A dispatcher with the Richfield Department of Public Safety said crews were responding to a fire on the 6400 block of Oliver Avenue South. Fire crews say reports of the explosions came in just before 9 a.m. Hennepin County deputies, who just happened to be in the area, heard the blast and acted quickly. "They found a woman inside who was screaming for help. They were able to get that woman out," Richfield Fire Department Chief Mike Dobesh said. First responders say she was the only person inside. She was taken to HCMC for observation and is expected to recover. "The first responders in our community are amazing," Chief Dobesh said.
WCCO-TV CBS 4 Minneapolis

Follow Up: Golden Valley makes history naming the state’s third female fire chief

VIDEO: For the first time, a woman is leading the Golden Valley Fire Department. Chief Bethany Brunsell was sworn in and her promotion is quite rare. Across the country, women make up only 9% of all firefighters — and even fewer become chiefs. "I taught kids how to play the violin and recorder and never imagined that years later I would be a firefighter, much less the fire chief," said Chief Brunsell. The 47-year-old was a middle school music teacher before making what she calls a second career change, despite never seeing a female firefighter when she was growing up. It helped that she got started in her hometown that had been asking for more on-call firefighters nearly 15 years ago. "I really didn't think I'd get hired as a firefighter, I didn't think I fit the mold of what my own stereotype of what a firefighter was," said Chief Brunsell.
KARE-TV NBC 11 Minneapolis

VIDEO: Good Samaritan helps pull driver from fiery crash on I-94 in St. Paul

Kadir Tolla says he was on his way to visit a couple of clients in St. Paul when he came across a crash, moments after it happened. "I saw a car on fire. Then I said somebody is probably in there," Tolla told FOX 9. The Minnesota State Patrol says a Honda ran off the road on I-94 near Snelling Avenue, hit a light pole and burst into flames around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Tolla was one of several Good Samaritans who pulled over and ran to help. "That could be me one day. What would happen if I was in that situation and my life was in the hands of strangers that I don't even know," said Tolla. Tolla says the bystanders tried frantically to get the driver out. "He was awake. He was saying pull me out, pull me out, pull me out," said Tolla. But the door was blocked by the guardrail. "We could crack the door a bit and give him a little air," said Tolla.
KMSP-TV FOX 9 Minneapolis

St. Cloud Fire Department Welcomes Eight Members to New Roles in Promotion Ceremony

Eight St. Cloud Fire Department members were officially welcomed into new roles during a promotion ceremony on Friday. Fire Chief Matt Love spoke with KNSI News moments after the event to highlight those who stepping into new positions. “It just takes a special person to want to take on more. And for all of them, it’s been about service to the community. It’s been about how can I take care of our firefighters better? How can I take care of people?” Deputy Fire Chief Anthony Lorenz was one of those sworn in. “I never imagined that I would reach the role of Deputy Chief, but I am happy to do it and proud to serve.” He’s spent about 15 years with the department. Despite already having the title for a few months, he says holding the ceremony lets it sink in.
KNSI-AM 1450/FM 99.3 St. Cloud