(02/04/13) - Freezing temperatures gave Flint firefighters a major headache over the weekend. Hydrants near a motel fire were so frozen, firefighters couldn't use them.
Flames ripped through a Dort Highway motel Saturday night. The America Inn is gutted, and firefighters were on the scene for six hours.
"From time to time, we run into situations where the stem, which is the part inside the fire hydrant that opens the flow of water, that gets so cold and brittle it actually breaks when a firefighter tries to open it," said Flint Battalion Chief Andy Graves.
They say the recent cold snap is likely to blame. While the motel burned, crews had trouble with fire hydrants freezing and breaking.
"They looked farther down the block for other hydrants that were accessible, used the ones that were available and called for tankers to support the operation from there," Graves said.
They say this is something firefighters everywhere deal with when it gets too cold. Even the healthiest hydrant is no match for mother nature.
"It's just the nature of the beast, when the weather gets really really cold, occasionally we run into problems, fire hydrants do freeze, they are inspected and maintained, but it's just one of those situation that happens in cold weather," he said.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:05 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:05:13 GMT
(06/19/13) - Thousands of teachers, administrators, and parents are rallying for public education at the state capitol in Lansing. The Save Michigan's Public School Rally is expected to last a couple
Some say a plan to dissolve struggling school districts, including one in Mid-Michigan, is an attack on public schools.
Thursday, June 20 2013 7:08 AM EDT2013-06-20 11:08:12 GMT
(6/19/13) Residents of a mid-Michigan neighborhood are worried that a favorite park will go downhill now that a church is no longer maintaining it. They don't believe the city will do a good job of keeping
Residents of a Mid-Michigan neighborhood are worried that a favorite park will go downhill now that a church is no longer maintaining it.
Thursday, June 20 2013 12:04 AM EDT2013-06-20 04:04:51 GMT
(6/19/13) - Recovering cancer patients in Flint are going to have a brand new place to call home. McLaren held a housewarming party for their newly-built Hospitality House. Cancer patients will be able
(6/19/13) - Recovering cancer patients in Flint are going to have a brand new place to call home. McLaren held a housewarming party for their newly-built Hospitality House. Cancer patients will be able
Thursday, June 20 2013 12:03 AM EDT2013-06-20 04:03:04 GMT
(06/19/2012) The Republican-led Michigan Senate has given the green light to bills that will allow the state to selectively dissolve troubled school districts and send the students to neighboring schools. The
(06/19/2012) The Republican-led Michigan Senate has given the green light to bills that will allow the state to selectively dissolve troubled school districts and send the students to neighboring schools. The
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:49 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:49:51 GMT
(6/19/13) - We are getting our very first look inside of the new and improved 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint. The restaurant took over the space next door, previously occupied by Wizeguys Pizza and
(6/19/13) - We are getting our very first look inside of the new and improved 501 Bar and Grill in downtown Flint. The restaurant took over the space next door, previously occupied by Wizeguys Pizza and
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:44:03 GMT
(6/19/13) - The Saginaw School board votes YES tonight on the next part of their 5-year deficit elimination plan which includes school closures and 31 teacher layoffs. As we've reported, the district
(6/19/13) - The Saginaw School board votes YES tonight on the next part of their 5-year deficit elimination plan which includes school closures and 31 teacher layoffs. As we've reported, the district
