Not to be all Smokey the Bear about it, but since deadly fires happen most often in the winter months, now is a good time to brush up on some fire safety. We talked to FDNY spokesperson Frank Dwyer recently, and got tips on dealing with fires in different types of city dwellings. After all, how you deal with a fire in your home all depends on what type of home you live in. more ›

An off-duty Staten Island firefighter saved an elderly couple—and their cat—on Christmas night from a blaze that started after their Christmas tree caught on fire. "My instinct just kicked in,"37-year-old Ladder Company 81 member Steven Carl told the Daily News. "I just did what I was trained to do." more ›

Earlier this month, federal officials announced a plan to revitalize the campgrounds at Floyd Bennett Field, promising $10 million worth of developments to create the nation's largest urban campground, which may someday hold up to 600 campsites. But today comes word that all the new plans may be overlooking some basic safety concerns, like whether or not the Field's fire hydrants actually work. more ›

Residents of two dozen apartments at 1204 Shakespeare Avenue in the Bronx were forced to leave when the Fire Department discovered construction debris blocking two fire exits for the building. One resident complained to WCBS 2, "This building is so messed up. They’re fixing stuff, but things don’t really get fixed correctly." more ›

The Fire Department is reportedly responding to numerous calls about rubbish fires in Williamsburg and Borough Park, because it's time for the pre-Passover tradition of burning all leavened bread products. A few years ago, the FDNY reminded those burning chametz to be careful, because "In 2004, five people were seriously burned when a man poured paint thinner on a ceremonial fire in Borough Park, Brooklyn." more ›

The Fire Department announced four fire units across the city will no longer have night tours plus the Governors Island unit will close. The moves are expected to save $8.9 million. The units affected are Engine Companies 4 (Manhattan), 161 (S.I.), 271 (Brooklyn), and 53 (Bronx); the FDNY says those firehouses have two units assigned, "one unit will remain in service 24/7, while the other will remain in service during the day tour (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), but go off-line during night tour (6 p.m. to 9 a.m.)." While Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta called this a "prudent" decision given the city's dire budget concerns, many are upset. Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. pointed out Engine Co. 53 serves City Island, “To leave an island community, with only one point of access, without adequate fire protection is a recipe for disaster." And a firefighters' union said, "In this post-9/11 world, the F.D.N.Y.’s expanded responsibilities to protect New Yorkers cannot be accomplished by service reductions." more ›

'Tis the season to be aware of fire safety during the holidays. Christmas lights caused a fire that left 26 people injured last night. The fire started around 6:20PM in an 8th floor apartment of a Bronxdale building. A woman who lived in the apartment told the Daily News, "My daughter said there's a fire in her room from the Christmas decorations. I called 911, grabbed the kids and ran out." Twenty-five irefighters and civilians... more ›