November 2011

Incident Type: Reported Residential Structure Fire Date/Time of Incident: November 13, 2011 / 1038 to 1127 hours Incident Location: 1500 block of Carnation Ave. Cause: Toaster-oven left operating while occupants were away Injuries: None Damage Assessment: Damage to toaster-oven, kitchen counter-top & remanence of smoke residue throughout residence Fire Protection Systems: Working smoke detectors and [...]

Twelve-year firefighter Grant Stephens, recently named Firefighter of the Year, said he just likes helping people. “That may sound cliché, but it’s truly what we do,” said Stephens, 40. “It’s been a great short time,” he added, noting that careers in fire can last 30 years or longer.

Two Berkeley fire engines were in attendance at around 8:00pm Wednesday in the 2900 block of Piedmont Avenue in Berkeley’s Elmwood neighborhood due to a report that smoke was pouring out of the windows of a white van parked at the corner of Piedmont and Ashby.

A call was received by the Kern County Fire Department at about 6:45 a.m. regarding a house fire in the 2100 block of Bedford Avenue in Oildale. Fire crews said they were faced with a fire in the attic and garage of a 1,500 square-foot duplex home.