A retired San Francisco firefighter with stage 4 lung cancer is seeking city intervention after Blue Shield denied his treatment, raising concerns about insurance practices and access to lifesaving care.
A firefighter, Engineer Danny Cook, died after responding to a house fire in Nuevo, Riverside County, where a man and woman inside the house sustained minor injuries; the cause of the fire is under investigation.
A Massachusetts firefighter, Hugh McEleney, is charged with sending lewd messages and a video to an undercover officer he believed was a 14-year-old, leading to his arrest and bail conditions that restrict his internet access and contact with minors.
A fire at the Llanerch Place Apartments in Drexel Hill resulted in the death of Tony Rowley, a longtime firefighter and community volunteer, who was at his home dealing with medical issues. Several others, including his wife and a firefighter, were injured, and about 75 people were displaced. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
A former Colorado fire captain, Kamron Barnaby, was found guilty of sexually assaulting five women, including minors, over four years, using his position of power to abuse victims who feared coming forward. The trial revealed emotional testimonies and highlighted issues of workplace harassment and abuse of trust, with Barnaby scheduled for sentencing in February 2026.
A Chicago firefighter was seriously injured while battling a house fire on the Far South Side, suffering a lower leg injury and taken to hospital; the fire is now under control with no other injuries reported.
After a helicopter crash on a California highway, a firefighter led a spontaneous rescue effort with bystanders to lift the wreckage and free a trapped paramedic, all while emergency services responded swiftly; no injuries were reported on the highway, and investigations are ongoing.
A longtime Oregon firefighter assisting with a wildfire was unlawfully detained by US border agents despite being on track for legal status due to a pending U-visa application, with lawyers demanding his immediate release and criticizing the detention as a violation of DHS policies and due process rights.
A firefighter from Oregon involved in battling a wildfire in Washington was detained by U.S. Border Patrol while on duty, with his whereabouts currently unknown, sparking political criticism and concerns over the circumstances of his arrest.
In Mt. Morris, Illinois, 27-year-old Melissa Lamesch was found dead in a house fire, initially thought to be accidental but later determined to be arson. Investigators discovered she was strangled before the fire, and suspicion fell on Matthew Plote, a firefighter-paramedic and the father of Lamesch's unborn child. Plote, who had kept the pregnancy a secret, was arrested in 2022 on charges including murder and arson. Prosecutors allege he set the fire to cover up the murder, while Plote claims he left Lamesch alive after discussing their future.
A massive wildfire, known as the Jennings Creek Wildfire, has expanded to 3,000 acres on the border of Northern New Jersey and Orange County, New York, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old firefighter, Dariel Vasquez. The fire, which is only 10% contained, threatens several buildings but has not prompted evacuations. Efforts to control the blaze are hindered by inaccessibility and ongoing drought conditions, with only minimal rain expected to alleviate the situation.
Former President Trump called Helen Comperatore, the widow of volunteer firefighter Corey Comperatore, who was killed while protecting his family during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. Helen described Trump as "very kind" and mentioned that he promised to continue calling her. Corey, a former fire chief, was hailed as a hero by his family and community. Helen also noted that President Biden attempted to contact her, but she declined to speak with him, respecting her late husband's political beliefs.
Helen Comperatore, widow of firefighter Corey Comperatore who was killed during a failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump, revealed that Trump called her to offer his condolences and promised to stay in touch. Corey was shot while shielding his family at a Trump rally in Butler, PA. Helen declined a call from President Biden, citing her husband's Republican beliefs.
Corey Comperatore, a volunteer firefighter, died shielding his family during a shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. His last words were "get down!" as he protected his wife and children. Comperatore, who was close to celebrating his 29th wedding anniversary, is remembered as a devoted family man and community hero. The shooter, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, injured Trump and two other rallygoers. President Biden extended condolences, though Comperatore's wife declined to speak with him, citing her husband's political beliefs.
Southern Germany is experiencing severe flooding, particularly in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, leading to the evacuation of thousands and the death of a firefighter. The heavy rains have caused a state of emergency in several communities, with some areas receiving a month's worth of rainfall in just 24 hours. A long-distance train derailed due to ground collapse and was subsequently hit by a landslide, though no passengers were injured. Authorities praise the cooperation between emergency services and the support from the German Armed Forces and federal government.