Morton Fire Department hosts blood drive to honor former firefighter

VIDEO: Charles “Chuck” Robinson served the Morton Fire Department for more than 40 years. Robinson passed away from a heart attack at the end of 2021, and now his family and the entire Morton community honors his service with an annual April blood drive supporting the American Red Cross. “We kind of picked April because that’s his birth date, he was born in April so we picked that date and it was kind of a reason to kind of get people’s attention for the fire department in support and stuff like that and to get blood for the Red Cross,” said Fire Chief Tony Mages. Thursday will be the second year of the blood drive honoring Robinson, and the inaugural year maxed out their donation time slots. Service for the fire department runs in the family, as Robinson’s brothers and nephews currently serve the department, and his great-great-grandfather was Morton’s first fire chief in the late 1800s.
KEYC-TV CBS/FOX/NBC/CW+ 12 Mankato

No Injuries in St. Cloud House Fire

No one was injured in a house fire early Wednesday morning. The St. Cloud Fire Department says they responded to a house fire on the 200 block of 14th Avenue North at 12:34 a.m. Wednesday. Smoke and fire were coming from the home, but everyone was out by the time the firefighters arrived. The fire was limited to the first floor, primarily in the kitchen, and was quickly put out. The homeowner was helped by the Red Cross. While the fire is still under investigation, firefighters say that properly working smoke alarms gave the residents enough time to safely escape the home without being hurt.
KRFO-AM 1390 Owatonna

‘Suspicious’ fires in Brown County have officials seeking info

PHOTO: Several fires in Brown County throughout the last few months have authorities asking for any information regarding what might be starting them. According to the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, fire departments have responded to an "unusual number of wildfire" calls – 16 total – between March 1 and April 22, 2024. During the same timeframe, Brown County officials responded to only one fire call in 2023, and two in 2022. The fires usually occur on or near Wildlife Management Areas and other forested land, authorities have said. Although a specific pattern has not yet emerged, five of the 16 were started in Mulligan Township. Anyone with information regarding the fires is encouraged to contact the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
KMSP-TV FOX 9 Minneapolis

Garbage Can Fire Breaks Out at Rochester Apartment Complex

The Rochester Fire Department fought a fire that broke out at an apartment complex within the city Tuesday night. A news release says crews responded to the blaze around 7:20 p.m. The initial report indicated that garbage cans stationed near the complex’s office were on fire. Upon arrival, crews found what was described as “heavy fire and smoke” coming from the office building at the Innsbruck Apartments in the 1500 block of 50th St. Northwest. Materials behind the structure were also burning. All occupants were reported to have escaped the structure. Six engines responded to the blaze and crews quickly knocked down the majority of the fire, the news release says. Firefighters then began an overhaul, put out lingering hotspots and ensured the fire had not spread any further.
KROC-AM 1340/FM 96.9 Rochester