Archive for March 12th, 2021

Double fatal fire in Chicago, 2-28-21 (more)

Excerpts from wttw.com:

63-year-old Reginald Brown was held without bail during a court hearing Thursday, one day after he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of arson for allegedly starting the fire that killed Ieashia Ford, 34, and her daughter Porche Ford, 10, in their home in the 8600 block of South Hermitage Avenue.

“There are multiple witnesses to the defendant’s multiple threats to burn the house down, all because he thought (Ieashia Ford) took his wallet and his cellphone,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said during the hearing. “Because of that, two people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl who does not get to grow up.”

According to prosecutors, Brown and Ieashia Ford, who were in a relationship, were hanging out at Brown’s home on Feb. 27 when he grabbed Ford and accused her of taking his phone and wallet. She and another man left that scene, but Brown allegedly followed them to Ford’s home where he repeatedly threatened to burn the house down in front of a group of onlookers.

Brown called Ieashia Ford a short time later and again threatened to burn her house down, Murphy said during the hearing Thursday. That call was overheard not only by people at Ford’s home, but also Brown’s roommate, who told investigators that Brown had told him he’d filled a bleach bottle with gasoline, and shortly before he went to sleep that night, he overheard Brown muttering to himself “they should be by now.”

Early the next morning, a man prosecutors believe to be Brown was seen on surveillance footage walking near Ford’s home and carrying a bag. That person then took something out of the bag, walked toward Ford’s home, and soon after, the orange glow of the fire could be seen coming from the house. The fire was started around 4 a.m. and engulfed the home within minutes. One resident happened to be awake at the time and saw smoke coming from the porch area. He woke two other residents and got them outside before attempting to put out the flames. He re-entered the home and tried to locate Ford and her daughter, but was unable to do so. Both Ieashia Ford and Porche Ford died of smoke inhalation.

The resident who attempted to save the Fords suffered third-degree burns and is expected to recover.

One of the surviving victims and Brown’s roommate both positively identified the man in the surveillance footage as Brown, and investigators recovered a bleach bottle filled with gasoline in a nearby dumpster.

Brown is due back in court for a hearing March 31.

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Of interest … Aurora Regional Fire Museum

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Aurora Regional Fire Museum officials say that although the pandemic is lingering, there are signs of things getting more like normal at the facility at 53 N. Broadway in Aurora that reopened in January based on the state’s COVID-19 mitigation plan.

Executive director of the museum Brian Failing said “We’ve been open normal hours which are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and have seen people mostly in the afternoons. We’re seeing up to about 30 people a week and are hoping that as the weather improves and spring and summer arrive, our numbers will grow.”

The museum operates under the current COVID-19 guidelines which include having visitors wear masks as well as maintaining social distancing. Exhibits that include hands-on components and other touching elements have been taken out as well as having touch points reduced.

In the meantime, work to provide exhibits and attractions for visitors has continued, with the installation of new exhibits in the past two months including half a dozen pictures depicting fire department-related subjects as well as a new exhibit on loan from the national Emergency Medical Service. The installation covers the topic of innovation in emergency medical services from battlefield medicine to modern civilian techniques, and will be on loan for a number of months.

Looking ahead, more exhibits are planned including work on a Safety in the Home exhibit which would roll out this summer as well as a new fall initiative which would honor two events.

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Cherry Valley FPD ambulance for sale

Found at Govdeals.com:

Cherry Valley FPD ambulance for sale

2006 International Series 4300LP 4×2/ Medic Type 1 ambulance

Auction Ends 3/19/21 1:00 PM ET
Remaining 7 Days 1 Hr
This item is subject to an auto
extension of the auction end time.
Refresh Bid & Time
Reserve Not Met
Tax See Payment Instructions
Buyer’s Premium 12.50%
Starting Bid $500.00
Bids 8
High Bidder g***********g
Current Bid $3,000.00
Bid Increment $50.00
Minimum Bid $3,050.00

2006 International Series 4300LP 4x2/ Medic Type 1 ambulance for sale

2006 International Series 4300LP 4x2/ Medic Type 1 ambulance for sale

thanks Martin

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New engine for South Beloit

From Randy Buttliere:

2021 Saber pumper, 1500-GPM Waterous, 750-gallon tank, 450 Cummins
Stock engine = Quick delivery
Roof was wrapped black and extra emergency lights and brow lights were added
2021 Pierce Saber fire engine

Randy Buttliere photo

2021 Pierce Saber fire engine

Randy Buttliere photo

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