SPANISH LAKE
KITCHEN FIRE CAUSES HEAVY DAMAGE TO HOME
November 9, 2009 - The resident at 12647 Meadowsale Avenue in Spanish Lake, stated that he had been cooking hamburgers and left the stove unattended, causing the fire. When firefighters arrived they found flames coming out the front and rear windows of the residence. The fire caused extensive damage to the residence. No one was injured.
BLACK JACK 
PICK-UP TRUCK BURNS AFTER BEING STRUCK BY AUTOMOBILE
November 1, 2009 - 1:33 p.m. - Firefighters from the Black Jack and Spanish Lake Fire Districts extinguished a pick-up truck that had burst into flames after being struck in the rear end by an automobile on north bound Highway 367 just north of Highway 270.
The pick-up truck had stopped in the fast lane, to pick up a ladder that was on the highway, when it was struck in the rear by the automobile. The driver of the truck was not in the vehicle at the time that it was struck and was not injured. The driver of the automobile received minor injuries. Both of the vehicles burned.
SPANISH LAKE 
SPANISH LAKE HOUSE FIRE INJURES FIREFIGHTER
October 18, 2009 - Firefighters encountered heavy fire showing from the roof of a residence at 1739 Bent Twig Lane in Spanish Lake at approximately 11 p.m.
The fire destroyed the second floor and roof of the residence and was brought under control in about 30 minutes with the assistance of neighboring departments.
There was no one home at the time of the fire. A fire captain from Spanish Lake received an ankle injury and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
SHREWSBURY 
DOZENS HOMELESS AFTER FIRE IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY APARTMENT COMPLEX
October 19, 2009 - (KMOV) About 50 residents of a St. Louis County apartment complex were left homeless after a three-alarm fire Sunday morning, officials said.
Shrewsbury Fire Chief Bill Fox said the fire broke out around 7:50 a.m. at River Crest Apartments in the 7000 block of Nottingham Avenue.
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YOU TUBE VIDEO
UNIVERSITY CITY 
U-CITY, WITH HELP OF GRANT, WILL BUILD FIRE STATION
October 14, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) After almost 80 years, the University City Fire Department is trading in a grand building attached to this city's historic City Hall for new quarters.
And with the help of a $2.6 million federal grant, there's virtually no charge to local taxpayers, officials say. Washington University is donating the land for the new station.
The city will close the existing Station No. 1 and headquarters in the City Hall Annex and move to the northwestern corner of Vernon and Westgate avenues next year.
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CHESTERFIELD 
LIGHTNING MAY HAVE SPARKED CHESTERFIELD HOUSE FIRE
October 1, 2009 - (KSDK) A lightning strike may have started a fire at a Chesterfield home.
Joan Arbuszweski said she was driving from a nearby business when she spotted the fire and black smoke coming from the chimney of the home at 4 Clarkson Farm Drive Thursday morning. She pulled over and ran up to look at the address for another person who was on the phone calling authorities.
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MISSOURI 
FALLEN MISSOURI FIREFIGHTERS TO BE HONORED AT MEMORIAL
October 1, 2009 - (KSDK) Seven Missouri firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2008 will be added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Maryland at a special nationwide event.
The 28th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will be observed October 2 to October 4 by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Fire Administration.
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SPANISH LAKE 
HEAD-ON ACCIDENT IN SPANISH LAKE INJURES 4
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 - Firefighters and paramedics treated 3 adults and 1 infant in a two car head-on accident in the 11700 block of Bellefontaine Road in Spanish Lake. Three people were transported to the hospital.
NORTH COUNTY 
FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE SIX PEOPLE FROM MISSOURI RIVER, IN TWO RECENT INCIDENTS
September 15, 2009 - Firefighters with the Spanish Lake Fire Protection District Boat Team rescued two people that were trapped when their boat ran into boulders in the Missouri River near Sioux Passage Park on September 2, 2009. Also, they rescued 4 people that were stranded on the Missouri River near the Columbia Bottoms Conservation area on the night of September 8, 2009. They were assisted by the Missouri Water Patrol in the first incident and the St. Louis Fire Department Marine Unit on the second incident. No one was injured in either incident.
MISSOURI 
NEW FIRE SPRINKLER LAW GOES INTO EFFECT FRIDAY
August 28, 2009 - (KTVI) This last Friday of the month is the first day for several new laws in Missouri. Among the new laws, home builders must now offer consumers the option of having fire sprinklers installed in their homes. To make a point about the new law, firefighters in Fenton, were 'burning down the house,' Friday morning. The firefighters at Engine House #1 demonstrated the value of an in home sprinkler system.
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SPANISH LAKE 
CAR INTO A POLE - DRIVER INJURED
August 20, 2009 - Firefighters and medics treated the driver of an automobile that struck a utility pole in the 11000 block of Liliac Avenue in Spanish Lake. The driver was transported to the hospital and electric was knocked out in the neighborhood.
 VIDEO
RICHMOND HEIGHTS 
ONE PERSON KILLED IN RICHMOND HEIGHTS FIRE
August 12, 2009 - (KMOV) One person is dead following an overnight fire in Richmond Heights, Mo.
It started around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday in the 1100 of Surrey Hills.
Neighbors thought there might have been at least two people inside, but investigators confirm that there was only one victim.
Right now there's no word on what caused this fire.
VIDEO AND PHOTOS
ST. LOUIS 
HOMEOWNER CHARGED IN SOUTH ST. LOUIS EXPLOSION
August 6, 2009 - (KMOV) Investigators say the home explosion in south St. Louis was no accident.
Homeowner Ellen Hakemeier-Taylor, 49, has been charged with second-degree arson in connection with Monday's house explosion. Police say Hekemeier-Taylor disconnected the gas line connected to the hot water heater of her house, causing the explosion.
This happened late Monday morning in the 3700 block of Salena, near Interstate 55.
Police say that they know where Hekemeier-Taylor is, but she is not in police custody.
VIDEO AND PHOTOS
RICHMOND HEIGHTS 
HOGAN NAMED FIRE CHIEF
July 21, 2009 - (SURBURBAN JOURNAL) Kerry Hogan, a 31-year veteran of the Richmond Heights Fire Department, has been promoted to chief.
Hogan, a lifelong resident of Richmond Heights, began his career as a firefighter with the city in 1978. In 1981, he completed studies to become a paramedic and was the city's first paramedic and medical officer.
He was promoted to captain in 1988 and battalion chief in 1997 and served in that capacity until being named chief.
"It is a great honor to continue to serve the citizens of Richmond Heights, who also happen to be my friends and neighbors," Hogan said. "The employees on my staff are second to none, and I am certain that in the days to come, our residents and other constituents will continue to receive the highest quality care possible from the RHFD."
Hogan and his wife, Terry, have been married for 30 years. They have two grown children, Kimberly and Kyle. Hogan succeeds Charles "Larry" Drexler, who retired in June.
Other promotions are: Capt. Tom Nuernberger to battalion chief; Steve Carman, firefighter-paramedic, to captain; and Greg Steffen, firefighter-paramedic, to captain.
MAPLEWOOD 
FATAL AMBUSH STILL HAUNTS MAPLEWOOD FIREFIGHTERS
July 21, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Around 5 a.m. on July 21, 2008, the B crew — Hummert, Chellis, Wisely, Neff and Bill Appel — sprang awake. A car was on fire in the 7400 block of Zephyr Avenue.
At the scene, Wisely handed Hummert the hose — it was his first real fire. Then an explosion erupted. They all hit the ground. Hummert fell into Wisely.
Wisely looked at Hummert and saw a massive head injury. He applied pressure to the wound. Neff ran to get medical gear. Hummert already was gone.
Another explosion felled Maplewood police officer Adam Fite. Neff left his comrades tending to Hummert and headed for Fite.
More explosions. A bullet hit Maplewood police Sgt. Mike Martin in the arm.
Chellis and Appel took cover behind the firetruck; Wisely refused to leave Hummert until Chellis ripped him away.
The three hid behind their pumper. An officer yelled to them to run. Wisely did.
A tactical team removed Chellis and Appel after almost 90 minutes. Six hours later, the alleged gunman, Mark Knobbe, set his house on fire and killed himself.
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FERGUSON
BODY FOUND IN LAKE APPEARS TO BE ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
July 13, 2009 - (KMOV) Ferguson police say that the body of a man that was found in a lake appears to be the victim of an accidental drowning.
The discovery was made around 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the January-Wabash Lake in Ferguson, Mo.
Authorities say the victim is an African-American male believed to be in his late 30's to early 40's and heavy set. He was wearing a pair of brown shorts. Park personnel found a pair of shoes and a shirt from the side of the lake earlier. Fishing gear was also found in another portion of the lake.
VIDEO AND PHOTOS
MAN FOUND IN LAKE IDENTIFIED
July 16, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) The man who died Monday in an apparent drowning at January-Wabash Lake has been identified by police as Gene W. Sutton, 45, of Normandy. Sutton likely was fishing when he went into the lake to retrieve a piece of fishing equipment, police said. Foul play is not suspected. An autopsy Tuesday confirmed Sutton's body did not suffer any outward trauma, such as bullet or stab wounds, authorities said.
NORMANDY 
FIREWORKS AT FIRE DISTRICT MEETING
July 8, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Left, Beverly Hills police officer A. McDaniel arrests Kris Boevingloh for third-degree assault on Beverly Hills Sgt. John Buchannan (right) before the start of the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District board meeting in Beverly Hills. Boevingloh was not allowed to enter the building because he was told he was violating dress code by wearing a shirt that said "Vote no on prop. Y."
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HAZELWOOD 
HAZELWOOD MAY BUY BOAT FOR WATER RESCUES
June 22, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) Hazelwood officials could decide tonight (Wednesday) about going nautical - at least when it comes to buying a new boat for the Fire Department.
The City Council is expected to consider in its annual budget a proposal by Fire Chief Jim Matthies to spend $20,000 for a boat to be used in emergency situations. They made no decision after debating the expenditure at a June 10 work session.
Matthies said at the work session that the expenditure would be for a boat up to 16 feet long that would be safe for trained fireman to operate.
The boat request stems from flooding last fall. On Sept. 13, remnant storms from Hurricane Ike dumped heavy rain on the St. Louis area, resulting in flash flooding from Cold Water Creek. Water inundated parts of the French Quarter, Chez Paree and other apartment complexes, prompting rescues of some residents using boats provided by nearby fire departments. The Hazelwood Fire Department has a small, shallow draft johnboat, but its use is limited, Matthies said.
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FLORISSANT 
INVESTIGATORS: FLORISSANT FIRE THAT KILLED TWO CONSIDERED SUSPICIOUS
June 30, 2009 - (KMOV) Two women were killed overnight in a fire at town house in the 1900 block of Woodridge Lane in Florissant, Mo.
Firefighters got a 911 call around 1:45 a.m. on Tuesday.
The victims were a 64-year-old mother and her 43-year-old daughter.
The two were reportedly trapped on the second floor of the home.
A man, the victims' 30-year-old son and brother, was sleeping in the basement of the home and was able to escape.
Witnesses say that he and some neighbors tried to get the women out of the home, but the smoke was too thick.
Investigators say that the fire is considered suspicious because they have not been able to determine the cause.
VIDEO AND PHOTOS
SPANISH LAKE 
Photo courtesy of Jason Isrigg
HOT FIRE - HOT DAY, GARAGE BURNS ON FATHERS DAY
June 21, 2009 - Firefighters extinguished a fully involved garage fire on a hot Father's Day afternoon with temps in the mid 90s in the 1900 block of Ashboro in north St. Louis County Missouri. The attached garage was fully involved with fire showing through the roof when the fire department arrived. The firefighters made a quick knock down with a deck gun, which kept the fire from entering the living space of the residence. Cause of the fire is undetermined. One firefighter was treated on the scene for heat exhaustion.
VIDEO
SPANISH LAKE 
APARTMENT FIRE INJURES THREE
June 5, 2009 - A one alarm fire in an apartment building the Oak Park Village Apartments, 11202 Ruesta Drive, injured two civilians and one firefighter. The fire originated in the buildings stairwell and trapped several people on the second and third floors. The fire was quickly extinguished by several north county fire departments that were dispatched to the scene.
The St. Louis County Police Bomb and Arson Unit is investigating the cause of the fire.
DASH CAM VIDEO
NORMANDY 
NORTHEAST FIRE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS HIT JACKPOT
June 15, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) A north St. Louis County fire district that spent at least $227,925 last year in legal fees has approved a new contract to pay its lawyers a minimum of $180,000 a year for the next two years.
The board of the Northeast Ambulance and Fire Protection District last month agreed to pay lawyer Elbert Walton Jr. a $120,000-a-year retainer and a $60,000 annual retainer to his associate, Bernard Edwards Jr., for two years.
Walton's previous fee agreement included an $18,000 annual retainer, an additional $25,000 as the district's lobbyist and his billings for hourly work.
On June 1, a subpoena issued by the Missouri auditor showed that in 2008, Walton's firm, Metro Law Firm, was paid $143,365 and Edwards $84,560. It could not be determined whether the total, $227,925, comprised all of that year's legal fees. The Northeast district has disclosed some legal fees to the Post-Dispatch, but the records provided to the newspaper have been incomplete.
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RICHMOND HEIGHTS
RETIRED CHIEF IS LAUDED AS MENTOR, FRIEND
June 16, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) There were enough firefighters at The Heights one night last week to put out a four-alarm blaze. Instead they were there to roast one of their own.
Or at least try. One speaker Thursday night admitted the most dirt he could dig up on former Richmond Heights Fire Chief Larry Drexler was a poor showing at basketball in his youth.
So more praise than abuse was heaped on Drexler as he celebrated more than four decades with the fire department. Drexler, who joined the department in 1966, retired at the end of May.
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BRENTWOOD 
FIRE AT KV PHARMACEUTICAL DAMAGES FIVE BUILDINGS
June 2, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) A fire at KV Pharmaceutical, which houses several flammable items, caused massive damage to about five businesses Monday, said Brentwood Fire Chief Bob Niemeyer.
Two employees reported the fire about 6:15 p.m. In the building just north of the intersection of Hanley and Manchester roads.
One firefighter was taken to an area hospital after being overcome by heat, and others required treatment at the scene. No one else was hurt.
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ST. GEORGE 
MOTHER MOURNS TODDLER KILLED IN ST. GEORGE FIRE
June 1, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Angel Evans sat in the grass Sunday staring in disbelief at the blackened patch of pavement where her daughter died in a car fire the day before.
"I'm going through hell," said Evans, 26, of St. George, wiping tears from her cheeks. "She was a precious girl. A good girl. A beautiful girl."
Evans' daughter, Faith Miller, 2, died shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday when the car she was riding in struck a sign or metal pole that apparently ruptured the gas tank and caught fire.
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O'FALLON 
O'FALLON FIREFIGHTERS TO BREATH FRESH AIR WITH NEW TANKS
May 12, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) Firefighters with the O’Fallon Fire Protection District say they are better equipped to do their jobs, thanks to a federal grant that helped pay for 41 new high-pressure air tanks.
The district’s firetrucks will be outfitted with the 41 new tanks starting Wednesday morning, said district spokesman Scott Avery. The new high-pressure tanks contain more air, allowing firefighters to breathe for up to about 45 minutes at a time. They replace the district’s fleet of low-pressure tanks provided just 30 minutes of breathable air.
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ST. CHARLES COUNTY 
METH EXPLODES IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY GARAGE; MAN, 29, IN CRITICAL CONDITION
May 20, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Two neighbors check out the damage Wednesday at a St. Charles County home where authorities say a meth lab explosion critically injured a 29-year-old man. The neighbors did not want to provide their names.
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MOLINE
FORMER FIRE CHIEF GETS PROBATION FOR THEFT
May 20, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) The former chief of the Metro North Fire Protection District was sentenced to probation and six months house arrest Tuesday for stealing more than $30,000 of district funds.
David P. Jetton, 54, of Dellwood, charged personal expenses on district credit cards, received payroll checks he was not due, used district checks for personal auto repairs and added family members' cell phones to his district account, authorities said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Schelp said that the "criminal loss" was between $30,000 and $70,000, although a district civil suit claimed that he had taken more than $200,000. Jetton lawyer Chet Pleban said that district records could not back up the district's claims, and the suit settled for $100,000.
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MEHLVILLE 
MEHLVILLE FIRE CAPTAIN NAMED TO SUCCEED SILVERNAIL
April 28, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) A lifelong Oakville resident who grew up among firefighters and fire equipment will take the reins next year in the Mehlville Fire Protection District.
Tim White, 49, was named recently to succeed Fire Chief Jim Silvernail when Silvernail's contract expires in April 2010.
The fire district's board of directors created the new post of administrative chief fire officer to accommodate White's promotion.
Silvernail will continue to be in command at fire scenes. White will be in charge of all administrative duties as well as fire scenes and other operations when Silvernail is not on duty.
Silvernail. 64, was hired as Mehlville's chief in 2005 and his contract expires April 25, 2010.
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ARNOLD 
TRAILER FIRE CLAIMS WOMAN
April 15, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) An April 15 mobile home fire claimed the life of an Arnold woman, despite heroic measures from firefighters.
Sandra Mattox-Mikulait, 58, was pronounced dead at the scene of a fast-burning house fire that engulfed her trailer.
Ron Harder, spokesman for the Rock Community Fire Protection District, said the victim's body was so badly burned that fire officials and the coroner's office could not immediately establish the victim's gender.
Firefighters from the Rock Community and Mehlville fire protection districts were called to the scene about 7:30 p.m.
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BLACK JACK 
NEW FIREHOUSE COMING SOON
April 15, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) Micheal Gantner Fire Chief, Black Jack Fire Protection District , Ken Schmallenbeick, Director, Black Jack Fire Protection District and Sylvester Taylor ll, Director-Secretary of the Black Jack Fire Protection District posses with a redering of the New Fire House Saturday.
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ST. LOUIS 
HOUSE EXPLODES IN SOUTH ST. LOUIS; NO BODIES FOUND
April 5, 2009 - (KSDK) St. Louis firefighters had to bring in digging equipment to look for bodies at the scene of a house explosion Sunday morning, but no bodies were found.
According to Bob Keuss, a spokesman with the St. Louis Fire Department, the explosion took place around 10:50 p.m. Saturday in the 3900 block of Ohio Avenue, near Keokuk Street.
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ST. LOUIS COUNTY 
FIREFIGHTER INJURED IN 2006 BLAZE SUES DEPARTMENTS, OTHER FIREFIGHTERS
Friday, April 3, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Cindy Schuenke, the firefighter-paramedic who was severely burned in a fire three years ago in north St. Louis County, has filed suit against three fire agencies and numerous firefighters who responded to the blaze with her.
Schuenke, 44, suffered severe burns March 29, 2006, while searching for the mother of a fellow firefighter in a burning house in Vinita Terrace. Her suit, filed last week in St. Louis County Circuit Court, alleges that firefighters at the scene, and their commander there, made mistake after mistake. The suit also alleged that two fire chiefs had failed to train their fire personnel to properly handle such situations.
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AFFTON 
GRAVEDIGGER WHO FELL INTO PIT IS RESCUE
TUESDAY, March 31, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) First responders from Mehville and Affton remove an injured man from a gravesite at Our Redeemer Cemetery on Mackenzie Road Tuesday morning.
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BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS 
2 PEOPLE KILLED IN FIRE IN BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS
March 5, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) An elderly couple was killed this morning in a house fire in Bellefontaine Neighbors.
The couple -- Casey and Marie Waller -- died in the house fire at 1170 Ashford in the north St. Louis County town.
Riverview Fire District Chief Joe Bommarito said that firefighters got a call at 9:11 a.m. today. By the time the firefighters got near the area "they could see heavy, dark smoke a half mile away," he said. "When we got here, heavy fire could be seen in the front glass, picture window."
Firefighters tried to rescue the couple but, when they pulled them out, they were already dead, Bommarito said.
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SPANISH LAKE 
FIREFIGHTERS STABILIZE VEHICLE TO REMOVE DRIVER
March 14, 2009 - Firefighters used air bags and stabilizing struts to keep an automobile from tipping over while the driver was removed from the vehicle. The driver lost control and went up the embankment on Coal Bank Road near Liliac Avenue. The driver, who was not injured, attempted to climb out of the vehicle through the drivers window and was grabbed by two firefighers to keep him from falling.
OVERLAND 
Luck o' the Irish: Fire chief to march in St. Pat's parade as Firefighter of the Year
March 10, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) Anyone looking for Community Fire District Chief Chuck Coyne on March 17 will find him in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dogtown.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is honoring Coyne as the St. Louis County 2009 Firefighter of the Year. Other honorees include two St. Louis city and county police officers, and a St. Louis firefighter.
For Coyne, an Irish-American, it's a special honor.
"It kind of caught me by surprise," said Coyne, 50. "I didn't know they were voting on it. They just came up to me and said I was chosen. It's going to be fun."
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PINE LAWN 
WIDOW KILLED IN PINE LAWN HOUSE FIRE
March 11, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) A widow died in a house fire early today despite efforts by her son and a boarder to rescue her.
The victim was identified by relatives as Mattie "Dorothy" Brown, 64. The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but officials say it likely started in the kitchen.
About 2 a.m. today, heavy smoke and flames were pouring from the single-story home at 4120 Cedarwood Avenue in Pine Lawn. It was a two-alarm fire fought by the Northeast Fire Protection District.
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SAINT LOUIS 
FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE MAN FROM ST. LOUIS MANHOLE
March 5, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2009 - St. Louis firefighters tend to a man after he was rescued from falling in a manhole by members of the collapse rescue unit Thursday afternoon near the intersection of W. Florissant and Alcott Avenues.
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LEMAY 
FAMILY ESCAPES HOUSE FIRE IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY
March 2, 2009 - (KMOV TV) (KMOV) -- Investigators are trying to figure out what sparked a fire in a house in south St. Louis County.
It started around 5:30 a.m. on Monday in the 100 block of West Cartwright in Lemay.
There were people in the house at the time.
News 4 is told that everyone inside was able to make it out unharmed.
MORE ON STORY AND RAW VIDEO FROM SCENE
MOLINE ACRES
FORMER METRO-NORTH FIRE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY OF MISUSING CREDIT CARDS
February 25, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) The former chief of the Metro North Fire Protection District admitted Tuesday that, unhappy about a pay cut, he struck back by charging tens of thousands of dollars of personal expenses on three district credit cards.
David P. Jetton, 53, of Dellwood, said that after the firefighters' union went to the district board and said that he was paid too much, and the board agreed, he began trying to get back what he felt was an "unjust" cut.
As part of a plea deal in federal court in St. Louis, Jetton admitted misusing the cards, receiving unauthorized payroll checks, using district checks for personal auto repairs and adding family members' cell phones to his district account.
In all, he admitted defrauding the district of $30,000 to $70,000 from 2000-06 and pleaded guilty to a single felony charge of fraudulent use of a credit card. He faces 10 to 16 months in prison but may argue for less at his sentencing hearing, set for May 19.
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ST. PETERS 
DRIVER, MONITOR GET KIDS SAFELY OFF BURNING BUS
February 21, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) The quick thinking of two women saved the lives of three children when their bus caught fire Feb. 11.
"Thank God we had people that did the right thing," said Mike Clemens, assistant superintendent of administrative services for the Fort Zumwalt School District.
Driver Tonya Bauer and bus monitor Judy Lew were picking up children in the 300 block of Bristol Place for special education at United Services in St. Peters.
Bauer and Lew smelled smoke coming from under the hood of the bus, No. 313.
Lew said initially it smelled like burning leaves. Bauer parked at the nearest stop, a student's home, got out and checked under the hood, she said. Bauer saw smoke rising from the wheel well, said Scott Avery, a spokesman for the O'Fallon Fire Protection District.
Bauer and Lew evacuated the children from the bus as flames became visible. It took three minutes to get the children out, they said.
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WEST OVERLAND 
FIREFIGHTERS TRAIN DOG FOR DISABLED
February 17, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) Firefighter Michelle Hookland leaned down with a smile and gave Indy, a 13-month-old black Labrador retriever, a pat on the head.
"We're going to miss him a lot," she said. "It's been good having him around here."
For the past six months, Indy has been staying with West Overland Fire Protection District firefighters at their firehouse in Overland. The firefighters, under the supervision of Support Dogs Inc., are training Indy to be a service dog for a person with disabilities.
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PONTOON BEACH 
LEGAL BATTLE SURROUNDS EXPLODING HOME
February 13, 2009 - (KSDK) The house that exploded early Friday morning was at the center of a long running legal battle involving the woman who lives there and one of her neighbors.
Legal records at the Madison County Courthouse in Edwardsville explain the details.
Laura Williams owns the house, but it's been in danger of being seized ever since a couple living nearby won a lawsuit against Williams and her now deceased husband, Thomas E. Williams Jr.
The Williams' lost a suit alleging breach of trust for a house sale that went awry. A jury heard the case and awarded the plaintiff $215,000.
But court records indicate the Williams' never paid that amount and the winner of the suit went after the house on Emerald Way to satisfy the debt.
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UPDATE:
CHIEF: PONTOON BEACH HOUSE EXPLOSION SUSPICIOUS
There are new developments in the case of a house that exploded in a Pontoon Beach, Illinois subdivision Friday.
"Suspicious" - that's the way the Long Lake Fire Chief says investigators are now looking at the explosion that leveled one home and damaged at least 15 others early Friday.
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ST. PETERS 
HOUSE DESTROYED BY FIRE IN ST. PETERS
February 17, 2009 - (KSDK) A St. Peters home is a total loss after an overnight house fire.
The fire started just after midnight at the home on Shadowridge drive in St. Peters.
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ARNOLD 
8-YEAR OLD HONORED FOR ALERTING PARENTS TO HOUSE FIRE
February 10, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNALS) Cade Thomas is the most famous 8-year-old in town.
The pint-sized hero from Fox Elementary in Arnold has garnered national acclaim for his life-saving heroics Jan. 23.
While upstairs watching television, Cade noticed smoke and embers drifting by the window of his Arnold home on River Bluff Drive.
Thanks to fire safety training he received at school, he knew to immediately alert his parents.
"He yelled for everyone to get out of the house," said Rock Community Fire Protection District spokesman Ron Harder. "His parents opened the front door and saw a wall of fire."
Because the family had practiced a home safety drill Cade learned at school, they located a second means of escape at the rear of the home.
Within minutes, the entire house was engulfed in flames.
"Without a doubt he saved our lives," said Cade's father, Jerry Thomas.
The blaze was so intense the home was a total loss and threatened homes on adjacent land.
The family intends to rebuild on the same plot of land as soon as possible.
As for Cade, he's been the subject of much attention. Rock Community awarded him a "lifesaving" plaque and will honor him again Feb. 10 at school.
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RIVERVIEW
DRIVER OF PICK-UP TRUCK KILLED ON I-270 RAMP
February 5, 2009 - Firefighters extricate the driver of a pick-up truck that struck the rear of a construction vehicle on the west bound Interstate 270 ramp to Liliac Avenue in North St. Louis County, Missouri. The driver later died from injuries at a nearby hospital.
UNIVERSITY CITY
ST. LOUIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES STUDYING FIRE SERVICES
February 4, 2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Five St. Louis County communities whose fire departments are already working closely together will pay $80,000 for a study on streamlining emergency services and consolidating some operations.
The departments — in Clayton, Maplewood, Olivette, Richmond Heights and University City — frequently respond together to emergencies under a mutual aid agreement. And all but University City already share a dispatching office, the East Central Dispatch Center in Richmond Heights.
The sputtering economy led University City officials to contact the other municipalities about enhancing their partnerships.
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SAINT CHARLES 
FAMILY LOSES HOME IN FIRE
January 27, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) A family of three lost everything when their home caught fire Tuesday in unincorporated St. Charles County.
At 8 a.m., Jackie Richardson said she awoke to a popping noise coming from the home’s attached garage.
"I got up and went to the garage to check to see what it was," Richardson said. "It was on fire. I thought it was my son in the driveway."
Richardson said she then alerted her 27-year-old son Rashad Richardson, who was in the basement. The two were able to get out of the house without injury.
Richardson’s husband Robert Richardson was not home at the time of the fire, she said.
Firefighters from the Cottleville Fire Protection District, Central County Fire and Rescue, the St. Charles and O’Fallon fire departments responded to the two-alarm fire, in the 4100 block of Hobnail Drive near St. Peters.
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ALTON 
FIRE DAMAGES BOATS AT ALTON MARINA
January 23,2009 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) Firefighters battled a major fire at the marina in Alton this morning, but were able to get it under control within 30 minutes, a fire official said.
It broke out about 11 a.m.
A fire truck carrying foam from Wood River helped extinguish the blaze. Two or three boats appeared to have been damaged by fire. Godfrey firefighters came to Alton to serve as backup at the stations in case another fire broke out while crews were at the marina.
Assistant Alton Fire Chief Brad Sweetman said that there were no injuries to firefighters or anyone else.
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SAINT CHARLES 
NEIGHBORS RESCUE TWO NEW TOWN GIRLS
January 19, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) Two children fell through the ice in a New Town lake Sunday and were rescued by bystanders, said Capt. Dan Casey of the St. Charles Fire Department.
The two girls were walking across the frozen lake around 4:30 p.m. Sunday when they fell through the ice about 100 feet from the shore.
Tom Green, who lives in a house facing the lake, saw the girls from his window struggling to get out of the water. Green ran outside after yelling to his wife, who called 911.
In the meantime, another bystander walked out onto the ice with a branch and tried to reach the girls. Green tied an electrical cord around the waist of another person who went out to help, he said.
The three people were able to bring the girls to the shore just as the fire department arrived, said Green’s wife, Alicia Green.
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CHESTERFIELD 
FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC AND DOG HONORED FOR RESCUE
January 12, 2009 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) The Monarch Fire Protection District Board of Directors recently recognized firefighter/paramedic Brian Towsley and his dog, Rebel, for their actions in rescuing a lost child in Lincoln County. Pictured from left are Monarch director Kim Evans; Towsley and Rebel; director Dr. David Terschluse; and director Richard Gans.
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