Saturday, February 9, 2013
Clearwater Fire and Rescue spent about 20 minutes working to put out a fire at an unoccupied house at 6792 297th Ave in unincorporated Clearwater at 5:04 a.m Saturday.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue spent about 20 minutes working to put out a fire at an unoccupied house in unincorporated Clearwater early Saturday morning. Eight fire apparatus were called to the blaze at 6792 297th Ave at 5:04 a.m. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Officer Karl Wassmer was honored for bravery during a fire fight with an armed suspect during the 36th annual Joseph F. Cornelius Family Foundation's Outstanding Police Officer of the Year award presentation.
A Clearwater Police officer who shot back at a suspect who opened fire during a foot chase was honored for bravery during a ceremony this week. Officer Karl Wassmer, a 13-year veteran, shot Julius Larrance during a foot chase at the Palmetto Park Apartments July 25. Wassmer and another officer were trying to apprehend Larrance for outstanding warrants when he fired at Wassmer. Wassmer fired back despite being hit by a bullet fragment in his foot from the suspect's gun. Wassmer was not seriously hurt. The actions saved Wassmer and the other officer and is the reason Wassmer was honored for bravery as the Outstanding Officer of the Year at the 36th annual Joseph F. Cornelius Family Foundation ceremony Wednesday. It is Clearwater Police's …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Clearwater Fire and Rescue workers rescued six ducklings near the 1400 block of Court Street Monday afternoon.
Ducklings in distress? Not to worry, Clearwater Fire and Rescue is on the scene. A resident called the fire department at 12:30 p.m. Monday after seeing a duck standing over a drain near 1401 Court St. making noises of distress, Elizabeth Watts, public safety spokeswoman, said in a release. When firefighters arrived, they found the duck hovering over the drain where her ducklings were trapped below, Watts said. A crew including Lt. Stephen Coward, Thomas Knobl, Steven Peters and David Sowers worked to free the six ducklings from the drain. Sign up for the Clearwater Patch email newsletter to get more news about your community.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
A two vehicle crash at the intersection of Sunset Point and Belcher roads sent two drivers to the hospital, one with serious injuries Sunday evening.
UPDATE: Two Injured in Head-On Crash on Belcher Rd. (Jan. 28) A two vehicle crash at the intersection of Sunset Point and Belcher roads sent two drivers to the hospital, one with serious injuries Sunday evening. A preliminary investigation determined a van crossed the median at 6:58 p.m., according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue. Firefighters worked to extricate the driver, who was transported with serious injuries. The driver of the second vehicle was transported with non-life-threatening injuries, according to investigators. More details will be reported as they become available.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Firefighters, paramedics and a citizen will be recognized at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 at the Clearwater Fire and Rescue Training Facility, 1716 N Belcher Road.
The firefighter and paramedic of the year will be honored as well as a citizen and other fire personnel for their life-saving actions at the Clearwater Fire and Rescue annual Employee Recognition Ceremony Friday. The ceremony is open to the public. Here is a run down of the honorees: Lt. William Fry "Fry was instrumental in organizing and performing the department-wide Bayflite classes training personnel about the policies and procedures in assisting with air transport. Fry also provided the idea, construction and training of the Medical Intervention Team bag which is designed to begin the initial treatment, stabilization and rapid removal of injured firefighters. Fry joined the department in 1999," according to a release. Fire Medic …
An ashtray fell off the arm of a couch and into a trash can, sparking an early morning fire on Orange Avenue, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigators Thursday.
An ashtray fell off the arm of a couch and into a trash can sparking an early morning fire Jan. 15 on Orange Avenue, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue investigators Thursday. A live Christmas tree was near the trash can, which helped fuel the blaze, according to investigators. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to battle the fire at the two story home at 614 Orange Ave. The fire caused an estimated $20,000 in damage. Related coverage:
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The cause of an early morning fire at a two-story house on Orange Avenue is under investigation, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue.
Clearwater Fire and Rescue is investigating the cause of an early morning fire at a home on Orange Avenue. Firefighters responded to a call at 2:41 a.m. at 614 Orange Ave., according to Elizabeth Watts, public safety spokeswoman. It took firefighters about 20 minutes to battle the blaze at the two story home. The only occupant of the home was outside when firefighters arrived and refused medical treatment, Watts said in an email. Get updates to this story and more breaking news by signing up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A house on the 1300 block of North Madison Avenue caught on fire because of the water heater Wednesday morning, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue officials.
A house on the 1300 block of North Madison Avenue caught fire because of the water heater Wednesday morning, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue officials. Neighbors in the Fairmont subdivision noticed smoke coming from the roof at the rear of the duplex at 1308 N Madison Ave at 9:56 a.m. and called 911. It took firefighters 10 minutes to get the blaze under control. The front unit of the duplex sustained minor smoke damage, according to investigators. A 53-year-old woman and three-year old boy were home sleeping when the fire started, according to investigators. They were able to evacuate uninjured. They were at a neighbors house when fire crews got to the scene. They were checked out but refused medical treatment, officials said. Red…
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
An elderly woman died after falling from a small boat near the north end of Clearwater Beach, close to Caladesi Island, Tuesday afternoon.
An elderly woman died after falling from a small boat near the north end of Clearwater Beach, close to Caladesi Island, Tuesday afternoon. Beverly and Norman Barnes were in a small john boat when Beverly, 81, fell into the water. Norman, 81, pulled her from the brine and started CPR, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue. The emergency call came in at 12:38 p.m. from a cell phone. After a 20 minute search, rescue workers found the Barnes' boat in the mangroves at the north end of Clearwater Beach through a GPS tracking device on the phone. Both Barnes were taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where Beverly was pronounced dead, according to investigators. Norman was taken to the hospital with distress from the incident. There is nothing to …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Three Jack Russell terriers were rescued from a house fire on the 2300 block of Nash Street Friday afternoon, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue.
Three Jack Russell terriers were rescued from a house fire on the 2300 block of Nash Street Friday afternoon, according to Clearwater Fire and Rescue. Neighbors in the Gulf to Bay Acres subdivision noticed smoke coming from the home at 2398 Nash Street and called 911 at 3:38 p.m., according to Elizabeth Watts, public safety spokeswoman. When firefighters arrived to the scene, neighbors already had removed two dogs. Firefighters went into the unoccupied home and removed one more Jack Russell. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Watts said. "The dogs are all doing fine," Watts said. The cause of the fire is under investigation, Watts said.
Kerryn Ellson
10:06 am on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Officer Wassmer, thank you for your service!!! Keep up the good work. The law obiding citizens of Clearwater applaud your work! more ›