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PURSUIT IN SMITH COUNTY – 7/18/24

by Pursuits

At 3:45 PM, Whitehouse Police Officers were dispatched to a Theft in Progress at the Southside Bank in Whitehouse, Texas. The suspect, reportedly driving a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee, presented a stolen ID and had allegedly already stolen about $3,000 from a bank in Tyler, Texas.

As officers arrived in the area of Southside Bank, the vehicle was spotted and a traffic stop was initiated. The vehicle stopped briefly before taking off northbound on HWY 110. A pursuit then began.

The vehicle traveled north on HWY 110 reaching speeds over 100mph. Whitehouse Police called off their involvement in the pursuit near E Grande Blvd and the Smith County Sherriff’s Office continued pursuing with the DPS joining shortly after.

The pursuit entered Tyler and continued northbound on Troup HWY, reaching speeds of 80mph before turning east on E 5th Street. The vehicle traveled east on E 5th Street, exiting the City of Tyler, continuing on HWY 64 E at speeds of 120mph.

The pursuit eventually came to a stop on HWY 64 E near FM 2607, east of Chapel Hill.

The driver was then taken into custody at 4:04 PM.

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GRASS FIRE @ FM 344 / CR 173, SMITH COUNTY (WEST OF BULLARD) – 7/27/2023

by Brush/Grass Fires

After an almost four-hour-long battle, firefighters have left the scene of a large grass fire on FM 344, just west of Bullard. The fire stretched from the roadway into a large pasture, where it made its way close to multiple structures. One structure was able to be saved, but a second was not.

While firefighters were battling the main head of the fire, satellite fires were located on CR 173 in a field less than a half-mile from FM 344. Also, two separate grass fire calls were dispatched during this time in the surrounding area of Bullard.

Today’s fire danger level is classified as “Very High.” The combination of wind, temperature, humidity, and lack of rain cause grass and other vegetation to dry out, resulting in prime fuel for a fire. There have been multiple grass fires throughout the county; please refrain from burning outdoors if possible.

The source of today’s fire is unknown, and the Smith County Fire Marshals Office is investigating. No injuries were reported from the three fires.

SCESD2’s Bullard Fire, Flint-Gresham Fire, Noonday Fire, Whitehouse Fire, Troup Fire, Battalion 1, Captain 1, Chief 3, Chief 4, along with UT EMS, Texas Forest Service, Lake Palestine East VFD (Cherokee County), Bullard Police, DPS, and the Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the fire.

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STRUCTURE FIRE @ 14900BLK OLD CHANDLER HWY (CR 1134), SMITH COUNTY – 4/29/2023 

by Structure Fires

At approximately 12:30 AM Saturday, April 29th, Smith County ESD2’s Dixie Fire, Noonday Fire, Flint-Gresham Fire, Battalion 1, and Captain 1 responded to a residential structure fire on Old Chandler Highway.  

The first arriving fire units reported that the wood frame structure was approximately 50% engulfed in flames, and neighbors advised that it was unoccupied. The fire had already worked throughout the home, even collapsing the roof. After getting a knock-back of the fire from the exterior, firefighters could move to the house’s interior to extinguish the fire. A control time was called at 1:19 AM.  

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office and UT EMS also responded. The Smith County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. No injuries were reported.  

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STRUCTURE FIRE @ 515 E ERWIN ST, TYLER – 4/28/2023

by Structure Fires

At 2:10 PM, on April 28th, Tyler Fire Department’s Engine 1, Engine 7, Engine 6, Ladder 1, Battalion 1, and Fire Marshal 7 responded to a commercial structure fire with smoke coming from the 4th floor.

In just three minutes, firefighters were on scene and made entry into the building. Fire was found on the 4th floor, and a primary search was initiated. It was known that there was at least one squatter in the building, with others attempting to renter. Tyler Police was requested to the scene. Approximately five occupants were removed from the building.

A control time was called at 2:30 PM. Firefighters checked each floor to ensure there was no fire extension and that all occupants were out. No injuries were reported.

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STRUCTURE FIRE @ 8100BLK KEVIN DR, TYLER – 4/26/23

by Structure Fires

At 12:33 PM, on April 26, Tyler Fire Department’s Engine 5, Ladder 2, Engine 7, Engine 10, Battalion Chief 2, and Fire Marshal 7 responded to a residential structure fire possibly caused by a vehicle fire in the garage.   

Just minutes later, Battalion Chief 2 advised heavy smoke was visible from S Broadway Ave. A second alarm was dispatched, adding Engine 9 and Engine 4. Engine 2 cleared from another call and responded to the fire as well. 

Upon Battalion Chief 2’s arrival, he advised the house was fully engulfed in flames with power lines down in front of the residence. No occupants were reported to be in the home at the time of the fire.  

Engine 5 was soon disregarded, and a control time was called at 12:55 PM. No injuries were reported.  

All units were clear from the scene shortly after 2:00 PM.    

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STRUCTURE FIRE @ 300BLK POWELL DR – 4/26/23  

by Structure Fires

At 3:04 PM, on April 26, Tyler Fire Department’s Engine 2, Ladder 2, Engine 4, Engine 7, Battalion Chief 2, and Fire Marshal 7 responded to a residential structure fire with smoke reportedly coming from the roof. No flames were visible.   

Just two minutes later, Engine 2 arrived on scene and advised smoking was visible and there was active fire. A second alarm was dispatched, adding Engine 8 and Engine 10.   

Ladder 2 made entry through the front door, while Engine 2 made entry through the garage. A primary search was completed, and no occupants were found.   

A control time was called at 3:23 PM. UT EMS was on standby for the fire. No injuries were reported. 

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MOVE OVER, SLOW DOWN⚠️ Video of an accident involving Smith County Fire apparatus and a DPS vehicle!

by Traffic Accidents

MOVE OVER, SLOW DOWN⚠️! Video of the accident on April 5th, 2023 involving multiple Smith County Fire apparatus and a DPS vehicle:

At 8:58 am on April 5th, 2023, Smith County ESD2’s Winona Fire, UT EMS, and DPS responded to an accident at I-20 MM. 568 on the westbound side. A single vehicle had run off the roadway into the tree line.

Responding agencies arrived and began to work the scene. An apparatus known as a “Blocker” was placed at the rear of the accident scene. The Blocker is equipped with a Traffic Management Attenuator (TMA) designed to absorb impact, slow, deflect, and stop vehicles that come in contact with it. Combined with the TMA, this apparatus keeps the public safety personnel safer along with the vehicle’s occupants that may hit it.

At 10:25 am, while crews were removing the wrecked vehicle from the tree line, a semi-truck attempted to pass another semi-truck, ultimately crashing into the scene. The Blocker, a DPS vehicle, and a Fire Engine were struck.

As a result of the secondary accident, Smith County ESD’s Fire Cheif, Red Springs Fire, Jackson Heights Fire, Battalion Cheif 1, Battalion Cheif 2, and Captain 1, along with UT EMS, responded.

The Blocker did exactly what it was intended to. It absorbed the impact of the semi-truck and deflected it in a way that was safer for all involved.

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Smith County ESD2 is urging the community to ask their Texas representatives to support more substantial penalties for drivers violating the “Move over, slow down” law, House Bill 898.

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STRUCTURE FIRE @ 1700 BLK SYBIL LN, TYLER – 4/15/2023

by Structure Fires

Earlier this morning, the Tyler Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Sybil Lane. Engine 8, Engine 10, Engine 7, Ladder 2, Battalion 2 and Fire Marshal 7 were initially dispatched and responded to the scene.  

Engine 8 arrived at the residence minutes later and reported fire coming from the roof, and that it had partially collapsed. There was only a single occupant in the home, and they were able to get out on their own.  

The fire in the attic presented a challenge for the firefighters as it moved from one side of the house to the other, eventually breaking free from a hole in the collapsed roof. Engine 2 and Engine 9 were dispatched later in succession for more manpower on the fireground.  

After a knockback of the fire, a control time was called at 12:58AM. All units were clear by 3:08AM. Tyler Police, and UT EMS also responded to the scene. Fire Marshals with the Tyler Fire Department are investigating the source of the fire. 

Earlier this morning, the Tyler Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Sybil Lane. Engine 8, Engine 10, Engine 7, Ladder 2, Battalion 2, and Fire Marshal 7 were dispatched. Upon arrival, Engine 8 reported seeing flames from the roof which had partially collapsed. Fortunately, there was only one occupant who had already exited the residence. 

The firefighters faced a challenge in controlling the fire as it spread from one side of the house to the other and broke free from a hole in the collapsed roof. To assist in the effort, Engine 2 and Engine 9 were subsequently dispatched. 

At 12:58 AM, a control time was announced after the fire was knocked back. All units cleared the scene by 3:08 AM. Tyler Police and UT EMS also responded to the fire. The Tyler Fire Department Fire Marshals are investigating the source of the fire. 

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STRUCTURE FIRE @ 4526 S BROADWAY AVE, TYLER (KEN’S PIZZA) – 4/4/23

by Structure Fires

At 2:15 AM on Tuesday, April 4th, Tyler Fire’s Engine 2 and Ladder 2 were dispatched for a commercial fire alarm at 4526 S Broadway Ave (Ken’s Pizza) in Tyler.

Upon Engine 2’s arrival, they advised smoke was visible on the structure’s interior, and a full structure fire alarm was dispatched. Battalion 2, Engine 7, Engine 8, and Fire Marshal 7 were dispatched.

Units on scene advised all other units that a large amount of smoke was present inside, but they believed a sprinkler put out any fire that may have been present.

Firefighters searched the interior and exterior of the building for other signs of fire and/or extensions. No fire was found, and Fire units were gradually released from the scene.

No injuries have been reported. The extent of damages, if any, is unknown at this time.

All units cleared the scene at 3:25 AM.