An FDNY firefighter who spent over a year recovering from injuries he suffered fighting a house fire returned to work Monday.
Robert Velazquez was greeted as he walked back into Engine 257, Ladder 170 in Canarsie, Brooklyn.
In a Facebook post, the FDNY said in part, "With the support of his family, friends, and his FDNY family, and through sheer determination and grit, Firefighter Velazquez is back at his second home, his firehouse. We are glad to have him back and the City thanks him for his continued service."
Fellow firefighter Timothy Klein died in the April 2022 blaze when part of the home collapsed. A 21-year-old resident was also killed.
A total of eight firefighters were hurt battling the fire.
WCBS-TV CBS 2 New York
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VIDEO: The Dunkirk Fire Department is looking into a fire that displaced 10 people.
Several people contacted 911 to report the first just after 6:30 a.m. Monday.
When firefighters arrived, they found 535 Columbus and 533 Columbus with heavy fire conditions. Officials say 535 Columbus was vacant. All of the occupants at 533 Columbus were able to escape without injury.
Firefighters worked to prevent the fires from spreading to other nearby structures. Officials have ordered an emergency demolition of both structures.
Three other nearby homes suffered some heat damage to the exterior.
The American Red Cross is assisting the four adults and six children who lived at 533 Columbus. No one was injured.
WGRZ-TV NBC 2 Buffalo
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Charlie Bergstrom, the former chief of the Chappaqua Fire Department, died on Monday, Dec. 4, the department announced in a post on social media.
In their memorial post, the department wrote that Bergstrom was a "quiet unassuming leader and mentor to many of us."
"We will all miss Charlie’s quiet and calm cadence on the radio, unrushed management of a scene, witticisms, and nicknames," the department added, also continuing, "There’s a reason so many people have been affected by his loss."
According to the department, Bergstrom was known for easily working with others and building relationships not only with those within his organization but with people in other neighboring departments as well.
He was also known for often recounting stories and never failing to make those around him laugh.
Armonk Daily Voice
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VIDEO/PHOTOS: The West Albany Fire Department was called to 112 Frederick Avenue in the Town of Colonie at 4:34 p.m. for reports of a 2nd alarm house fire.
The WAFD said people were living inside the home at the time of the fire, but they were able to evacuate before sustaining any severe injuries.
According to the West Albany Fire Department, firefighters were just arriving back at the station around 8:15 p.m., and the fire took a few hours to completely extinguish.
The WAFD said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
WRGB-TV CBS 6 Schenectady
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