Arson Suspected After 4 Fires At Same Abandoned Waltham Campus: ‘We’re Deeply Concerned' Arson Suspected After 4 Fires At Same Abandoned Waltham Campus: ‘We’re Deeply Concerned'
Arson Suspected After 4 Fires At Same Abandoned Waltham Campus: ‘We’re Deeply Concerned' Two more fires have torn through the long-abandoned Fernald School campus in Waltham, and officials believe they may be connected to a troubling pattern of arson dating back to last year. Waltham Fire Chief Andrew Mullin, Police Chief Kevin O’Connell, and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine confirmed that the recent fires, which happened in April, are now under investigation. They say the blazes appear to have been set on purpose and are likely linked to two others that happened in January and December. “There have been four fires in that area since December,” said Chief O’Connell. “These inci…
9/11 Responder, Retired Greenwich Firefighter Has Big Plans After Winning $500K In CT Lottery 9/11 Responder, Retired Greenwich Firefighter Has Big Plans After Winning $500K In CT Lottery
9/11 Responder, Retired Greenwich Firefighter Has Big Plans After Winning $500K In CT Lottery A retired firefighter and 9/11 responder plans to take a well-earned vacation with his wife after landing a $500,000 jackpot playing the CT Lottery.  Patrick Gordiski struck it rich playing the '$500,000 CA$HWORD' game, which challenges players to complete crossword-style puzzles. Fittingly, it was the letter V, the final piece in spelling "victory," that clinched him the grand prize. He bought the ticket at Byram Smoke Shop on Mill Street in Greenwich. The store will get a $5,000 bonus for the sale.  Gordiski was a member of the Greenwich Fire Department for nearl…
Firefighters Help Resident Escape House Blaze In Port Chester Firefighters Help Resident Escape House Blaze In Port Chester
Firefighters Help Resident Escape House Blaze In Port Chester A resident was safely assisted out of a burning home Friday morning, May 2, thanks to the swift actions of firefighters who responded to a house fire in Westchester. The blaze began at around 10:30 a.m. on Friday when fire crews raced to 12 Bush Ave. in Port Chester for a reported basement fire, according to the Port Chester Fire Department.  Arriving crews found smoke coming from the side of the house, and a worker on the scene confirmed there was an active fire.   A 10-75 working fire signal was transmitted to bring more help to the scene. Firefighters quickly f…
Navy Sailor Gets 50 Years For Killing Wife, Setting New London Home On Fire With Baby Inside Navy Sailor Gets 50 Years For Killing Wife, Setting New London Home On Fire With Baby Inside
Navy Sailor Gets 50 Years For Killing Wife, Setting New London Home On Fire With Baby Inside A New London Navy sailor who admitted to starting the fire that killed his wife and nearly killed his 13-month-old baby was ordered to spend 50 years in prison, authorities said.  George Dodson, 26, was sentenced to half a century behind bars for the brutal murder of his wife, 23-year-old Shelby Dodson, during a horrifying attack in 2022, the Division of Criminal Justice said on Wednesday, April 30. He pleaded guilty to murder, arson, and risk of injury to a minor earlier this year in New London Superior Court. New London police and firefighters responded to a 911 call in July 202…
Basement Blaze Proves Too Much For Homeowner’s Fire Extinguisher In Port Chester Basement Blaze Proves Too Much For Homeowner’s Fire Extinguisher In Port Chester
Basement Blaze Proves Too Much For Homeowner’s Fire Extinguisher In Port Chester A quick-thinking homeowner tried to stop a basement fire with a portable extinguisher Wednesday night, April 23—but the flames proved too much, prompting a full-scale response from firefighters, officials said. The blaze broke out around 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at a two-story residence on Putnam Avenue, the Port Chester Fire Department said on Thursday, April 24. Crews arrived within one minute of dispatch to find smoke showing from the home and were met by the homeowner, who reported an active fire in the basement.  Before firefighters arrived, the homeowner had already attempted to f…
Waretown Man, 19, Charged In Jones Road Wildfire Over Improper Bonfire: Prosecutor Waretown Man, 19, Charged In Jones Road Wildfire Over Improper Bonfire: Prosecutor
Waretown Man, 19, Charged In Jones Road Wildfire Over Improper Bonfire: Prosecutor A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with setting the massive wildfire that scorched 15,000 acres and destroyed a commercial building this week, officials announced. Joseph Kling, of Ocean Township (Waretown), was charged with Aggravated Arson and Arson in connection with the Tuesday, April 22 blaze, according to a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, NJ DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, and Ocean Township Police Chief Michal Rogalski. The fire was first spotted at 9:45 a.m. by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower, which reported seeing smoke near Jones Roa…
Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires
Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert on Wednesday, April 23, for parts of Southern New Jersey following the devastating wildfires in eastern Ocean County. The air quality alert was issued for Ocean-Atlantic-Cape May-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-Southeastern Burlington and includes the cities of Jackson, Hammonton, Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island and Wharton State Forest. The massive wildfire has burned through 11,500 acres — threatening homes, destroying property, and leaving thousands without power as o…
NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service
NJ Wildfire Explodes To 12,500 Acres: Latest From Forest Fire Service An otherwise idyllic spring day along the New Jersey coast was darkened by thick plumes of smoke as a massive wildfire scorched through 12,500 acres — threatening homes, destroying property, and leaving thousands without power Wednesday, April 23. 🚨 A massive wildfire, dubbed the Jones Road Wildfire, is tearing through 1,200 acres in Barnegat Township’s Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area, Ocean County, NJ, as of April 22, 2025, with 0% containment. Mandatory evacuations are underway for Wells Mills Road from Bryant… pic.twitter.com/61nPv8YRcH — Laszlo Varga (@LaszloRealtor) April 2…
Car Blaze Closes Road, Fills Air With Smoke In Mahopac Car Blaze Closes Road, Fills Air With Smoke In Mahopac
Car Blaze Closes Road, Fills Air With Smoke In Mahopac A vehicle blaze temporarily closed a busy Putnam County road and sent smoke up in the air on Tuesday morning, April 22.  The fire happened around 9:09 a.m. on Tuesday at the intersection of Croton Falls Road and Mud Pond Road in Mahopac, according to the Mahopac Volunteer Fire Department. Firefighters responded alongside the Carmel Police Department and found a vehicle engulfed in flames. The driver was not injured.   Traffic was diverted for about 30 minutes while crews worked to extinguish the fire and safely reopen the roadway. Firefighters did not reveal the cause of the…
Quick-Thinking Son Rescues Family From Smoke-Filled Hamden House Fire Quick-Thinking Son Rescues Family From Smoke-Filled Hamden House Fire
Quick-Thinking Son Rescues Family From Smoke-Filled Hamden House Fire A quick-thinking son helped his family escape an overnight house fire in Hamden, Connecticut, that could have turned deadly, according to authorities. Firefighters were called to a residence on Troiano Road in Hamden at approximately 11:30 p.m. Monday, April 2. A family of four lived at the home. Their son detected smoke early and managed to lead everyone out of the smoke-filled home to safety without injuries, Hamden firefighters said. The extent of the damage has not been determined, but the blaze displaced the family. The American Red Cross is assisting them. Hamden fire officials are …
Dump Truck's Load Catches Fire On I-684 Off-Ramp In Katonah, Prompts Firefighter Escort Dump Truck's Load Catches Fire On I-684 Off-Ramp In Katonah, Prompts Firefighter Escort
Dump Truck's Load Catches Fire On I-684 Off-Ramp In Katonah, Prompts Firefighter Escort Firefighters in Westchester County were called to an unusual roadside fire after debris in a dump truck ignited near a busy highway exit. The fire broke out around 9 a.m. on Monday, April 21 on the Interstate 684 Exit 6 off-ramp in Katonah, according to the Katonah Fire Department.  There, a load of construction debris caught fire inside a dump truck, prompting the driver to pull off the road and call for help. Fire crews, who had just cleared from a separate emergency involving a stuck elevator at the Katonah Metro-North train station, raced to the scene and used a hose lin…
Wind-Whipped Blaze Scorches 19 Acres In Putnam Valley Wind-Whipped Blaze Scorches 19 Acres In Putnam Valley
Wind-Whipped Blaze Scorches 19 Acres In Putnam Valley A fast-moving brush fire fueled by wind and dry conditions scorched nearly 20 acres of wooded land in Putnam County, firefighters said.  The fire broke out around 1:15 p.m. on Friday, April 18 near 926 Peekskill Hollow Rd. in Putnam Valley, the Putnam Valley Volunteer Fire Department said on Monday, April 21. When firefighters arrived, they found a large brush fire burning under the power lines and spreading quickly through dry leaves and thick vegetation.   Steep, rocky terrain made access difficult, prompting a mutual aid response from several surrounding fire departments.…