3 Fire Departments Visit MRH ECC for Smell of Smoke

It was only smoke, no fire, that triggered the alarm at the Early Childhood Center.

Fortunately, when Maplewood, Brentwood and Clayton fire departments arrived at the Maplewood Richmond Heights Early Childhood Center on Monday, here were no injuries or property damage reported. The smoke that caused the alarm, a little before 2 p.m., didn't come from within the ECC. A nearby neighbor's meat smoker reportedly triggered the alarm. Also on Patch: Join Maplewood-Brentwood Patch for more community news or join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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WATCH: Firefighters Contain Maplewood Fire to Chimney, Return Puppy to Owner

The owners were home, but there were no injuries. A wood-burning stove could have been the cause.

A fire at a two-and-a-half story home in the 7300 block of Maple Avenue Friday afternoon in Maplewood was contained to the chimney. No one was injured. Firefighters from Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Brentwood and Shrewsbury responded. When the firefighters arrived, owner Jeff Todisman was on the roof examining smoke pouring from the chimney, in places where it shouldn't have been. His wife, Cathy, said they have a wood burning stove, which she thought could have been the cause. She was working at home but didn't know about the fire. She said someone else called the fire department. Her Great Pyrenees puppy, Duchess, was on the first floor, and came running out while the firefighters were working. Maplewood firefighter Spencer Giles made …

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Maplewood, Richmond Heights Firefighters Extinguish Home Fire

A blogger reports on a fire near Maplewood.

A Tribute to our First Responders

We owe a deep debt to those who make our lives safer as they carry out their often dangerous jobs.

Maplewood Firefighter is Honored at Council Meeting

John Patterson is retiring after 34 1/2 years as a firefighter.

Maplewood firefighter John Patterson was honored at the Tuesday city council meeting on his retirement after 34 1/2 years of service. Patterson joined the Maplewood Fire Department on May 15, 1978. Mayor James White read a resolution that noted Patterson's "obvious dedication to getting the job done in an outstanding manner," and that he "worked constantly for the betterment of the Maplewood Fire Department." The resolution also stated Patterson "has demonstrated his unselfish dedication and personal commitment to the dedication of life and property to the citizens of the City of Maplewood ad to his fellow firefighters." See more photos on Maplewood-Brentwood Patch Facebook.

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Maplewood Enjoys Cool 'National Night Out'

Maplewood City Council switched the night out from August to October to avoid the heat.

Maplewood neighbors hit the streets Tuesday night for the 'National Night Out.' Twenty-two blocks held parties in the streets. That's up from 10 last year. The Maplewood Police Department provided hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and soda. Mayor Jim White and members of Maplewood police and fire departments made the rounds to each party. Brentwood neighborhoods had their night out on Aug. 7.

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Maplewood Firefighters Help Honor Ryan Hummert at Rockwood Summit HS

Ryan Hummert played football at Rockwood Summit, so every year Ryan Hummert Spirit Night honors Hummert, and a senior player is given a $1,000 scholarship.

Maplewood has a connection to Rockwood Summit High School. Ryan Hummert, the Maplewood firefighter killed in the line of duty played football there and graduated in the class of 2004. When Hummert was killed, Donna Woodland, president of the booster club, who's son, Joe, played with Hummert, spearheaded Ryan Hummert Spirit Night.  The 2012 Ryan Hummer Spirit Night was Sept. 14, and members of the Maplewood Fire Department took part. With money from special discounted tickets, the Falcon Football Boosters, and Coach Mike Bellers have been able to offer a $1,000 Ryan Hummert Scholarship each year for a senior Falcon football player who exemplifies the character traits that Hummert lived. "If you didn't have the privilege of knowing Ryan …

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Home Air Conditioner Burns Up; 3 Fire Departments Arrive

A family on Cambridge Avenue lost their air conditioning Tuesday night.

Fire trucks from Maplewood, Richmond Heights and Clayton responded to a call around 9:00 Tuesday night in the 3300 block of Cambridge Avenue, in Maplewood, for an over-heated air conditioner. Maplewood Fire Department chief Terry Merrell said the blower for the central air system heated up and started smoking. Firefighters opened windows and used a fan to clear smoke out of the house.

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Gas Main Break Detours Traffic, Kills Cousin Hugo's Lunch

A piece of construction equipment near the Mini Cooper development broke the 12-inch gas main in two places.

The gas main break that caused a detour off Hanley Road between Manchester Road and Deer Creek Park turned out to be from a 12-inch gas main, not an 8-inch, according to Maplewood fire chief Terry Merrell. It was a high-pressure line, and the noise from the escaping gas was loud enough to make talking in the area difficult. Merrell also said the line was ruptured in two places by a piece of construction equipment. The break was just south of where the railroad bridge crosses Hanley Road. A driver called at 11:34 to report that he smelled gas and dust was blowing into the air. He said Maplewood firefighters realized it was a significant problem when they arrived, since the break was next to Hanley Road and the railroad tracks, and the wind …

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8-Inch Gas Main Break Stops Hanley Road Traffic

A contractor at the Mini Cooper construction site broke the main with a back hoe.

Hanley Road between Manchester Road and Deer Creek Park is closed to all traffic because a contractor at the Mini Cooper construction site off Hanley Road broke an 8-inch natural gas main with a back hoe around 11:15 a.m. Crews are in the process of capping the break. The high-pressure escaping gas makes a hiss too loud to talk over in the area. Maplewood and Webster Groves fire departments are on the scene with dressed out firefighters standing by with charged hoses in case a fire is sparked. Maplewood fire chief Terry Merrell said a check of nearby neighborhoods shows that gas levels aren't dangerously high, though at the scene there is the smell of natural gas. Merrell had railroad traffic halted on the bridge next to the site to reduce…

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