ReportWire

Tag: cleveland fire

  • Fire destroys 150-year-old Cleveland church

    Fire destroys 150-year-old Cleveland church

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND (WJW) — A Cleveland congregation is asking for prayers and donations after a fire destroyed their more than 150-year old church. The church was a historic pillar in the mid-town community.

    For most of the day, investigators were sifting through what remains of the church, but Cleveland fire Lt. Mike Norman told us that arson has been ruled out.

    The recently renovated Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal served not only its Hispanic congregation, but also neighbors in the Asiantown community on East 36th Street near Superior Avenue.

    On Friday morning, investigators from the Cleveland Fire Department and ATF sifted through the burned-out shell that remains of the Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal.

    They are looking for evidence to figure out what caused a massive two-alarm fire on Thursday evening that destroyed the building and took nearly 50 firefighters to put out.

    “I went up. … It was smoke inside. I was using the extinguisher,” said pastor Ariel Santiago.

    Santiago, who has led the congregation for seven years, said he was inside at the time, but made it out safely. He said all he could do was helplessly watch the church burn.

    “I didn’t cry or anything until I went to my daughter’s house and they put the program again, then I was crying a lot,” said the pastor.

    The cornerstone on the building is dated 1868. Pastor Santiago said his denomination has called it home since the 1980s.

    He said the roughly 50-member congregation put a lot of work in renovating the church in recent months — installing new carpet, new pews, a new pulpit, a new piano and other equipment.

    “Like when you have a new house and your new house burning completely, you feel like your knees are going to be on the ground,” said Santiago.

    The church has been a pillar in this community, often providing food and other services for its neighbors.

    “It’s hard to see historic buildings come down. But I would hope, hopefully, they can still salvage, you know, maybe the cornerstone and possibly some other things that can kind of carry on the tradition of the church,” said Grayson Glass, who works a few blocks away.

    The verse below the church’s name translates to Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

    “Without our Lord, nothing that we can do,” added Santiago.

    Fire investigators said the church sustained about $100,000 in damage.

    Santiago said he was told that the steeple will probably have to be torn down.

    The building is insured and Santiago said he wants to rebuild, but he’s not sure exactly where.

    [ad_2]

    Kevin Freeman

    Source link

  • First responders hockey tournament supports families of fallen heroes

    First responders hockey tournament supports families of fallen heroes

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND (WJW) – Eight teams of first responders from Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Toledo and Columbus are competing in the Cleveland Fire Fighters Hockey Fest, a fundraiser in collaboration with the Hockey Helping Heroes Initiative.

    A portion of proceeds raised through ticket sales at the Cleveland Monsters game goes to the campaign.

    The event honors the memory of three late firefighters from Ohio: Michael M. Richardson of Euclid Fire Local 337, James M. Pero of Mentor Fire Local 1845, and Richard D. Richardson of Columbus Fire Local 67.

    Pero’s widow Helen said this event means the world to her.

    “It’s amazing,” Helen said. “It just feels like there’s such a brotherhood here and that everyone’s joining together. Just doesn’t surprise me about the firemen and even the police officers that are out there right now. Law enforcement sticks together, and you can’t words don’t express how much it means.”

    Jake Konys is the Secretary for the Association of Cleveland Fire Fighters Local 93. He’s one of the organizers for the event locally, something he takes great pride in because supporting the families of the fallen is crucial.

    “They say we’re a family on the fire department, in the public safety service, and that’s really what we are,” Konys said. “We’ve got family, friends all out here watching us today. Hockey is just one way that we’re able to bring each other together, have a good time, but also, most importantly, raise awareness for those that we’ve lost and help their families.”

    The fundraiser helps pay for the travel of the family members to go to Colorado Springs, Colorado in September to attend the IAFF Fallen Memorial where their late-loved ones will have their names added to the wall.

    “So humbling and overwhelming,” Richardson’s widow Patti Richardson said. “I know it’s going to be a beautiful event. So honored to participate. Participate in it and have my family participate as well.”

    All three fallen heroes died from different forms of cancer after long careers. Helen said she wants to see new legislation and more preventative care from occupational hazards to prevent others from dying from delayed illnesses.

    “If one family can be helped it’s worth it,” Helen said. “I don’t want any of these families to ever have to deal with this ever. It’s just a loss that’s unbearable.”

    If you would like to donate directly to the First Responder Faceoff, click here.

    [ad_2]

    Tino Bovenzi

    Source link

  • I-Team: Who does fire safety inspections in Cleveland?

    I-Team: Who does fire safety inspections in Cleveland?

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered more mystery surrounding regular fire safety inspections not getting done even in Cleveland’s tallest and busiest buildings.

    New questions surfaced as we investigated to find out who’s working in the Cleveland Fire Prevention Bureau.

    Last week, we revealed the city has no records of “general inspections” of “maximum risk buildings.” We checked for the last two years. So, we did more digging.

    The I-Team filed a records request for staffing in the Cleveland Fire Prevention Bureau. We asked for the number of positions and the number of openings. The city responded by telling us it had no records.

    So, we followed up by asking, “How can the city have no idea about staffing in the unit overseeing fire inspection?”

    The city then sent a 2022 annual report.

    It showed the Fire Prevention Bureau staffed with supervisors, 16 lieutenants and two captains, as well as one civilian.

    We also requested some daily assignments and daily activities for workers in fire prevention. But again, there were no “responsive records.”

    Last week, we approached the mayor after a public event and he wouldn’t answer questions from us about this.

    He promised City Hall would follow up with us, but that never happened.

    We’ve seen fire inspections tied to construction projects and issues found during emergencies.

    But again, there are no records of regular, fire safety inspections.

    The issue will likely come up before City Council within days during budget hearings. Now, more questions.

    [ad_2]

    Ed Gallek

    Source link

  • Colleagues, friends share cherished memories about Cleveland Firefighter Johnny Tetrick

    Colleagues, friends share cherished memories about Cleveland Firefighter Johnny Tetrick

    [ad_1]

    CLEVELAND — Hearts were heavy at Cleveland Fire Station 22 where the firefighter Johnny Tetrick worked for more than two decades before his death over the weekend.

    “I’m a better person from working with Johnny Tetrick,” said firefighter Dan Zudic.

    His colleagues, friends and family shared their most cherished memories of Tetrick, from his strong work ethic to his advice.

    “When I was told I was going to be assigned here, I didn’t know what to think,” said Zudic.

    No one was a stranger to Tetrick, not even when Zudic was the new guy at Station 22, affectionately called “Double Deuces.”

    “And you saw that Johnny Tetrick was on the schedule, you know it was going to be a good day,” said Zudic.

    Tetrick had a larger-than-life presence at the firehouse.

    “His smile every day coming into work was infectious. When you left you wanted to be the best you had to give,” said firefighter Ray Wacker.

    Tetrick was known to always be ready for any call.

    On this day, his helmet sat on the kitchen table where any downtime meant good laughs over good food.

    “It’s not often you get a good Korean dish at a firehouse, but he could whip up a great dish,” said Firefighter Robert Schwind.

    Tetrick died last weekend in a hit-and-run. He was on duty trying to save lives after a crash on I-90.

    Tetrick’s father is a retired Cleveland firefighter, a career Tetrick’s daughters say he always wanted.

    “I begged him to retire because it was such a dangerous occupation,” said his father, Kris Tetrick.

    Throughout the station, there are memories from that fateful night, including the board with his name and duty, his life as a firefighter and what mattered to him the most.

    Tara Morgan

    “It was about guiding them through life, that was it,” said his best friend, Greg Juratic.

    Tetrick’s love for his daughters was evident from one look at his station locker. Pictures decorated both doors.

    “This is our family. We grew up here, we came here for birthdays, Christmases and everything, so this is where he was at, this is our family too,” said Tetrick’s daughter, Falon.

    “Twenty-five years he stayed here and I think a big part of that is he is fiercely loyal,” said his daughter, Eden.

    “They lost a brother and we lost a dad,” said his daughter, Regan.

    “These girls are now my girls and I hope I do it right,” said Juratic.

    Juratic described his relationship with Tetrick as inseparable.

    “My day revolved around what his day was a lot of times and vice versa,” said Juratic.

    Greg has two girls of his own and looked to Tetrick for advice.

    “His advice is paramount, you can’t get better advice,” said Juratic.

    That sentiment was felt by his colleagues, both the veterans and the younger crew.

    “That helped make you a better person because you wouldn’t want to let Johnny down,” said Zudic.

    Tetrick’s daughters say their dad worked four jobs, that he loved to help people and would always put others first.

    His colleagues say Tetrick deserves a full arena this weekend as a tribute for his final goodbye and welcome anyone to come out to pay respects.

    Details on Tetrick’s funeral service, from a Cleveland Fire Department news release, are below:

    A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse at 1 Center Court in Cleveland. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and the Gateway complex are uniquely equipped and prepared to be the site of the funeral service.

    The service is open to the public.

    The processional route to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday is below:

    • Rt. 91 NB – Rt. 6 WB – Euclid WB – Dille/Nottingham NB – St. Clair WB – E. 79th SB – Superior WB – E. 9th NB – Erieside WB – Al Lerner Way WB – W. 3rd SB – St. Clair WB – W. 9th SB – W. Huron SE – Ontario SB – Carnegie EB – E. 9th NB – Bolivar WB – Under Garage Parking.

    General parking for attendees is available at the East Garage.

    Gates of entry for the general public include the Sherwin Williams entrance and the Cliffs entrance located on the corners of Huron Rd. and Ontario St. / Huron Rd and E. 6th St., respectively.

    Road closures surrounding the arena

    • Ontario/Huron Eastbound
    • Ontario/Carnegie
    • E. 9th / Carnegie
    • E. 9th / Sumner
    • E. 9th / Erie Court
    • E. 9th @ Cemetery
    • E. 9th / Bolivar – E/B Bolivar open from E. 9th 
    • E. 9th / Prospect
    • Huron / Prospect
    • E. 9th Pl / Huron
    • E. 8th / Huron
    • E. 7th / Huron
    • E. 6th / Huron
    • E. 4th / High St

    Cleveland Police will be on site to direct and assist with the flow of traffic.

    Those who do not plan to attend in person may view a live stream of the event via the Cleveland Division of Fire Facebook page.

    Watch live and local news any time:

    Holiday Programming

    Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, plus alerts on major news, the latest weather forecast, traffic information and much more. Download now on your Apple device here, and your Android device here.

    You can also catch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live and more. We’re also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.

    [ad_2]

    Source link