Bells of Notre Dame sound in Paris for the first time since 2019 fire
April 2019 saw the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burn, with the iconic spire collapsing as the metal roof fell. Now, a little over five years later, the cathedral is about to reopen to the public.
French President Emmanuel Macron set an ambitious goal to have the building reopened in five years back in 2019. Now, just a little over five years later, the renovated cathedral’s bells rang for the first time on Friday, Nov. 8.
Notre Dame’s eight bells did not fall during the original disaster, which could have caused much further structural collapse. Experts say the bells could have acted like wrecking balls, destroying both towers, and the entire cathedral with them.
Old bells were replaced in 2013, due to some older bronze bells becoming discordant with time. One new bell joined older survivors of the fire for use during the Paris Olympics in July 2024.
Reuters
Onlookers and residents of Paris heard the bells on Friday ring one at a time, until they all chimed in harmony for around five minutes. The cathedral will be fully reopened to the public on Dec. 8. Macron will speak to mark the occasion on Dec. 7.
The bells of Notre Dame in Paris rang out together on Friday for the first time since a 2019 fire that devastated the historic cathedral, AFP reporters said.https://t.co/P7BQwDtrLZpic.twitter.com/zvjTbnlvsP
Now that the bells are back, the next thing to be finished is the famous organ, which did not sustain fire damage. The organ did have water damage due to firefighters putting out the flames, but it was saved and restored. Every piece was dismantled and cleaned or decontaminated. The organ will be played at the reopening ceremony later this year.
Malibu, Ventura County fires grow amid strong winds and dry conditions
Homes were threatened in California’s Malibu area on Wednesday, Nov. 6, as wildfires moved quickly, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. The so-called Broad Fire has spread to at least 50 acres at the time of the publishing of this article, and firefighters were warning residents in mountain and foothill communities to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Meanwhile, authorities closed the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu as firefighters fought to contain the fire.
The National Weather Service of Los Angeles reported winds of more than 50 miles per hour and said drought conditions are contributing to the fire’s growth.
The service cautioned high winds could persist into Thursday, Nov. 7, making the area prone to “extreme and life-threatening” fire behavior.
Northwest of Los Angeles, the rapidly spreading Mountain Fire grew to 250 acres Wednesday, forcing multiple communities to evacuate in Ventura County.
So far, there are no reports of any deaths or injuries.
Massive fire at US base in South Korea extinguished after 19 hours
Firefighters fully extinguished a fire at the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) warehouse in the South Korean port city of Busan on Friday, Oct. 25. The fire burned for nearly 19 hours, according to local officials, and no injuries were reported.
The blaze broke out around 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the USFK facility, located about 320 kilometers (199 miles) southeast of Seoul.
Firefighters managed to bring the major flames under control by early Friday morning and lifted the emergency fire response system at 7:34 a.m. The fire was fully extinguished by 1:34 p.m., the Busan Metropolitan City Fire Disaster Headquarters stated.
Over 160 personnel and 51 pieces of fire equipment were mobilized to the site. Officials reported that the fire started in a cold storage area inside the warehouse, which was under construction.
An official from U.S. Army Garrison Daegu told Yonhap News Agency that the warehouse was empty due to ongoing renovations.
The U.S. Army received no reports of hazardous material leaks resulting from the fire. The official also confirmed that no South Korean workers were present when the fire began, and the Army had no plans to investigate local employees.
According to the Status of Forces Agreement between South Korea and the United States, the U.S. Army maintains jurisdiction over investigations at its military facilities.
The USFK and local firefighting authorities said they would jointly investigate the cause of the fire, though they would not release the investigation’s results to the public under a relevant treaty.
Firefighters reported that the building’s sandwich panel structures and significant stock of construction and combustible materials posed difficulties in extinguishing the flames.
The warehouse manages distribution of USFK equipment brought through Busan’s port to units stationed across South Korea.
Officials raising awareness after dog starts house fire by biting phone charger
Oklahoma fire officials have released footage of a house fire that occurred in May, revealing an unusual cause: a dog chewing through a phone charger. Fortunately, all residents and pets escaped the home safely and without injury.
The Tulsa Fire Department is using the accident to highlight the potential dangers associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly found in many everyday devices. According to the department, these batteries can pose significant risks when an uncontrolled release of energy occurs, which can produce flammable and toxic gases, and, in some cases, lead to explosions.
“Be careful, you may have items in your home that can lead to a disaster if not properly handled,” the department said. “We want the public to learn about usage, safe storage and proper disposal of these potentially dangerous batteries.”
This incident is part of a broader pattern, as fire departments across the country have increasingly encountered issues related to lithium-ion batteries. The Tulsa Fire Department is urging the public to be aware of the potential hazards and to take precautions to ensure the safe handling of these batteries.
New probe alleges staff kept migrants locked up during deadly Juarez fire
On March 26, 2023, a fire engulfed a migrant detention center in Juarez, Mexico, claiming the lives of 40 individuals and leaving 27 others injured. Nearly a year later, a new report suggests that staff may have knowingly kept detainees locked inside a holding cell as the fire burned.
Immediately following the fire, officials asserted that the keys to the cell couldn’t be found to release the trapped migrants. However, an investigation by Lighthouse Reports, in collaboration with La Verdad and El Paso Matters, found that the key to the detainees’ cell remained inside the facility until moments before the blaze.
Surveillance footage allegedly captures a staff member refusing to unlock the cell. The report indicates that a security guard passed the key to a colleague, who pocketed it.
Audio recordings purportedly capture a uniformed National Migration Institute member stating, “We are not going to open [the cell] for them, I already told those guys.”
Despite mounting evidence, the National Migration Institute has yet to issue a statement regarding the report.
Nine individuals, including federal and state agents, are facing charges in connection to the incident. The commissioner at the time remains in his position despite the criminal charges against him.
Industrial fire causes massive, deadly explosions in Michigan
One person is dead after an industrial fire and hundreds of explosions north of Detroit sent “fireballs” and “shrapnel” into neighborhoods as far as a mile away. The fire burned for hours Monday night, March 4, launching nitrous-oxide and butane canisters into the air.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, the Clinton Township fire chief said that a 19-year-old was fatally struck by a projectile from the explosion while he was a quarter mile down the road.
“Just a tremendous amount of fire,” Clinton Fire Chief Tim Duncan said. “In my 25 years, I’ve been on a few big fires – This by far was the biggest one I’ve ever seen.”
Police reported that the fire occurred at a building shared by Goo and Select Distributors — these businesses list smoke shop products such as nitrous oxide, CBD and electronic vapes.
“We did find out that it was this company called ‘Goo,’” Duncan said. “They are a distributor to the vaping community in the area. They received a truckload of butane within the past week and they still had over half of that left. This is what you’re seeing strewn throughout the area. You had nitrous, you had butane and they had some other products in there.”
Four people were inside the building when the fire started, but they managed to escape without injuries. Emergency management has sent hazmat units to test air quality. It’s still not clear what caused the fire.
Biden, Trump make separate visits to southern border: March 1, 2024
In competing visits, President Biden and former President Trump address the crisis at the southern border. And, at least two people are dead in the largest fire in Texas history. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, March 1, 2024.
Biden, Trump make separates stops at Southern border to address immigration
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump made competing visits to the southern border on Thursday, Feb. 29, each addressing the migrant crisis, a pivotal issue for voters as the two frontrunners for their parties gear up for a potential presidential face-off in November.
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Positioned 300 miles apart, both surveyed the U.S.-Mexico border and discussed the record number of migrants illegally crossing into the United States. During his visit to Brownsville, Biden called on Trump to support the Senate’s bipartisan border security bill, which Trump has opposed.
“Here’s what I would say to Mr. Trump,” Biden said. “Instead of playing politics with this issue, instead of telling members of Congress to block this legislation, join me, or I’ll join you, in telling the Congress to pass this bipartisan security bill. We can do it together. You know, and I know is the toughest, most efficient, most effective border security bill this country has ever seen.”
Meanwhile, in Eagle Pass, Trump, accompanied by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, blamed Biden for the crisis.
“Now the United States is being overrun by the Biden migrant crime,” Trump said. “It’s a new form of a vicious violation to our country. It’s migrant crime. We call it Biden migrant crime but that’s a little bit long, so we’ll just leave it. But every time you hear the term migrant crime, you know where that comes from.”
A recent Gallup poll indicates immigration has surged to the forefront of American concerns, followed by the government and the economy. The poll found a record high 55 percent of adults view the influx of immigrants entering the U.S. illegally as a critical threat to the nation.
Airman accused of leaking defense info expected to plead guilty
Teixeira faced a potential maximum sentence of 60 years for charges related to the improper handling and public disclosure of national defense secrets. The classified documents he leaked included sensitive information about Ukraine’s air defenses and a foreign plot targeting U.S. troops overseas.
Prosecutors said there was no evidence of espionage, rather, Teixeira wanted to impress people on the site with his insider information. The 22-year-old, who was stationed at an air base in Cape Cod, has been in custody since his arrest last spring at his mother’s home in Massachusetts.
Congress passes stop-gap spending bill to avert government shutdown
Congress passed a short-term funding deal Feb. 29, to prevent a partial government shutdown that was set to begin Friday, March 1. The bill now awaits President Biden’s signature.
The Senate approved the stop-gap measure with a vote of 77 to 13, setting new funding deadlines for government agencies to March 8th and March 22nd. Earlier in the day, the House passed the measure by a vote of 320 to 99.
Investigations are underway to determine if a gas leak or a stove ignited the fire on the first floor of a restaurant, leading to rapid spread throughout the building.
Dozens of firefighters fought for over two hours to bring the blaze under control. Some survivors made their escape by heading to the building’s roof.
Officials warn that the death toll may increase as emergency services have taken around 20 people with critical injuries to local hospitals.
Following this incident, the government has formed a panel to investigate the cause and to develop strategies to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Texas battles Smokehouse Creek Fire, largest in state history
Texas A&M Forest Service Chief Wes Moorehead stated, “As firefighters continue to suppress active fires, we urge Texans to be cautious with any outdoor activity that may cause a spark.”
The Texas Agriculture Commissioner has noted a significant impact on livestock, with thousands of cattle dead and concerns that the numbers could rise.
During his visit to the U.S.-Mexico border, President Joe Biden announced he has directed federal officials to do “everything possible” to assist communities affected by the fires. This includes sending more firefighters and equipment.
The cause of the wildfires remains unknown.
Phillies end dollar dog nights after unruly fan behavior
For baseball enthusiasts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an era is coming to an end, but not for reasons like player retirements or stadium demolitions. Rather, it’s about hot dogs.
After 27 years, Philadelphia Phillies fans will no longer enjoy their cherished Dollar Dog Nights, a tradition where hot dogs were sold for just one dollar a few times during the baseball season. The decision to end this beloved promotion comes in the wake of unruly behavior from fans last season, which included throwing hot dogs and led to several ejections from the stands.
Moving forward, the Phillies will replace Dollar Dog Nights with a buy one, get one deal. However, fans looking for budget-friendly hot dog nights can still find them with another Pennsylvania team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who continue to offer Dollar Dog Nights.
Gas truck explosion sparks inferno, kills several, injures hundreds in Kenya
An explosion from a truck loaded with liquified petroleum gas caused an inferno, killing at least three people and injuring nearly 300 individuals in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Feb. 1, according to authorities and first responders. The Kenya Red Cross confirmed that 24 of the individuals injured were in critical condition.
The Associated Press reported that the truck was inside a gas cylinder storage and filling site. The site had multiple applications to operate there rejected in 2023. Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said it rejected three applications for construction permits because of the high population density around the facility.
Reuters found that EPRA asked the applicant to submit a risk assessment including a document called a “blast profile,” which would show the nearby areas impacted if an explosion were to occur. The agency said the applicants never submitted the documents. Right now, it’s unclear who owns the facility.
During the explosion, residents in a nearby building screamed as a plume of smoke and flames went hundreds of feet into the air. Witnesses posted the video to social media.
“The fire caught up with me from almost a kilometer away as I was escaping,” Edwin Machio, a survivor, told Reuters.
According to the AP, a flying gas cylinder from the truck set off the fire that burned down a nearby garment and textile warehouse. Reuters reported several vehicles and homes were also scorched.
On Friday morning, police moved into the area and removed people from the vicinity while preventing others from returning to their homes.
The operation of the facility reportedly without legal permits is likely to put the government’s enforcement of regulations under the microscope. The AP found that local government officials have been accused of taking bribes to overlook building codes and other regulations.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Multiple fires destroy military manufacturing plants deep inside Russia
Video shared online depicts the latest fire at a Russian military-industrial manufacturing plant. Information from Ukrainian sources on Telegram and Russia’s Ministry of Transportation Telegram indicates the fire started on Sunday, Dec. 3, and burned through the night.
Russian reports say the cause of the fire is under investigation. The Moscow Special-Purpose Vehicles Factory manufactures truck trailers and holds Russian government contracts for a “specialized car for a transportable pressure chamber.”
Traditionally, heavy vehicle factories in Russia also produce armored vehicles for the Russian Armed Forces.
This recent fire, covering an area of 21,000 square feet and located just 10 miles from the Kremlin, has not been claimed by Ukrainian forces or partisans. Nevertheless, two fires at manufacturing plants were reported in late November.
On Sunday Nov. 26, an explosion at the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant in Russia resulted in a severe fire. The plant produces engines for T-72 and T-90 tanks, Terminator armored fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery. The plant faced sanctions in 2023 from the U.S. and Ukraine for supplying engines to Russian troops.
Ukraine has not commented on the alleged attack; however, if it is responsible, this would mark its most distant attack behind enemy lines during the ongoing war. Chelyabinsk is located over 1,100 miles from the current front line.
Similarly, on Sunday, at the Smolensk Aviation Factory, located 200 miles from the front lines, Russia’s state media reported the downing of dozens of drones during an alleged terrorist attack in the region.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) promptly claimed responsibility for the explosion at the Smolensk Aviation Factory, where the plant produces Kh-59 cruise missiles.
According to The Telegraph, this attack was part of a retaliatory wave of 35 drones launched by Ukraine in response to a Saturday, Nov. 25, attack involving 70 Russian Shahed drones.
This attack wasn’t the first on the Smolensk Aviation Factory. During an October attack, also claimed by Ukrainian intelligence, three of the four UAVs hit the target, causing significant damage to the production facilities.
Massive blimp hangar fire shuts down schools, parks due to toxic chemicals
In California, the Orange Countydeclared a local emergency on Thursday, Nov. 9, in response to the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station’s north hangar fire. The fire ignited around 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and destroyed the facility.
AP Images
The fire prompted a three-alarm response from fire crews. Both Tustin and the Orange County Fire Authority stated that the only viable approach to combat the fire was to allow the structure to collapse.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) found asbestos, lead, arsenic and nickel in air and ash samples. Authorities advise residents to exercise caution during the cleanup to minimize exposure to these toxic chemicals. Crews also collected samples in nearby neighborhoods to assess the potential presence of airborne toxins such as benzene.
“Everyone should be aware of the recommended precautions to reduce the health effects of smoke and ash from building fires,” said County Health Officer and OC Health Care Agency’s Director of Public Health Services Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong. “Extra measures may be needed for those with pre-existing medical conditions like heart or lung disease, those with disabilities, older adults, children and those who may be working outdoors.”
AP Images
Teams took three bulk samples from debris at Veterans Sports Park in Tustin. Laboratory testing revealed asbestos in the samples, with percentages of 25%, 27% and 17%.
Burning or damaging building materials can release airborne asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral commonly used in construction before 1960, which poses an inhalation risk.
Orange County Declares Emergency Due to Former Tustin Marine Corps Air Station Hangar Fire
“The city has contracted with certified asbestos contractors to further assess and remediate hazards to the public,” the City of Tustin announced on Thursday evening. “The contractor will provide a report to the city and more information will be shared with the community once complete.”
The base was established in 1942 as the Santa Ana Naval Air Station. It housed blimps primarily used for patrolling America’s coastline to detect enemy submarines, according to the Tustin Area Historical Society.
The twin blimp hangars are recognized as two of the world’s largest freestanding wooden structures and have stood since World War II.
The north hangar served as a film location for several World War II period dramas, including “Pearl Harbor” in 2001, “The Hindenburg” in 1975 and “The Man’s Navy” in 1945.
