Merry Christmas to all. Some of you have the day off with the family. Enjoy it. Others are on duty or on call. Be safe.
There have been a number of deadly fires, including five people killed in an early morning house fire in Unna, Germany and two people dead in a East Bay Township, Michigan house fire.
As usual, there have been stories all week of firefighters doing their best to make sure the holiday is still special for those less fortunate. And in many instances they try to even salvage the day for those who lost a home due to fire.
Such was the case yesterday afternoon following a house fire on Carter Lane in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Prince William County Public Safety Communication Center put the call out to county fire stations to see if there were any late arriving toys from the annual Toys for Tots collection at local firehouses that could be gathered for the three young girls who live in the damaged home. As O.W.L. VFD Assistant Chief Jim McAllister and Battalion Chief Lance McClintock wrote in emails that Santa forwarded to STATter911.com (where we always want to know whose naughty and nice) everyone came through, showing a great cooperation between career, volunteer and 911 crews.
And while we are doing our little roundup, let’s not forget the Ghost of Christmas past. We leave that to FossilMedic Mike Ward, who recalls a Christmas on duty in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Below are a few videos of firefighters in action around the world today. We will add to it as the videos arrive.
Columbus, Indiana: Firefighters were still on the scene Christmas Day for a fire that was reported around 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve at a building that houses the United Way. Read more.
Pikesville, Maryland: Michael “Firepix1075” Schwartzberg shot this video of a house fire on Cliffedge Road around 2:00 AM. Read more about the fire.
Longford, Ireland: Just hours after Midnight Mass, St. Mel’s Cathedral was reported on fire. The roof collapsed and historic stained glass windows crumbled. More details and fire video can be found here.
Vancouver, British Columbia: A vitamin store burned at 1:30 AM at East Broadway and Kingsway. Nine-year-old Elaine Austin shot the video.
