Notorious Venice homeless encampment returns 3 years after being cleared by Inside Safe program

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Josh Haskell

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    VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Venice residents are voicing their frustration after a homeless encampment cleared by Mayor Karen Bass’ Inside Safe Program returned.

The encampment, which is one of the most notorious in the area, is located at Rose Avenue and Hampton Drive.

Over three years ago, Eyewitness News was there when the encampment was cleared by Bass and Councilwoman Traci Park as the city’s second Inside Safe operation. At the time, the encampment was on Hampton Drive and stretched from Sunset Avenue to Rose Avenue.

Residents and businesses applauded the action and continued outreach that housed over 100 people, but now, the encampment is back.

“We need to not have to keep having a land war like every few months in the same place. Once we win it, we should win it. So I don’t understand why there isn’t any uniformness about the enforcement, even though, you know what? A lot of good work has been done, and a lot of people have been housed,” said Mark Ryavec, the President of the Venice Stakeholders Association.

“The law is not enforced. It goes and it comes. I wish it would just stick. It would make it easier for the PD, fire department, everybody involved,” said Craig Ribeiro, a Venice resident of 35 years.

ABC7 visited the encampment and witnessed it being cleaned and outreach taking place. But, instead of those living at the encampment accepting shelter, we saw the opposite.

While the encampment was cleaned and cleared, those living there tell ABC7 that they just moved around the corner, and once the crews leave, they plan to return.

Eyewitness News reporter Josh Haskell asked an unhoused woman named Kat whether she wants to get off the street.

“Yeah, we’re trying,” she said, adding that on Monday night, she planned to sleep, “Right back where I was until I get housing, because I’m not running away. There’s nothing to hide.”

Haskell asked Kat what the city was doing regarding outreach.

“Making our lives a lot harder, because the reason my bag gets stolen is because of a cleanup crew. My backpack, everything in it — my IDs, my birth certificate — everything was stolen, so I can’t make it anywhere because everyone wants an ID for a job, you need an ID to apply for anything,” Kat said.

According to Councilwoman Park’s office, those who live at the encampment have picked an area that’s in between two 41.18 zones — areas where encampments are prohibited.

“Two 41.18 enforcement zones we established in this area following the 2023 Inside Safe operation have largely prevented encampments of the scale we saw before from repopulating. However, the gap between those zones has allowed a small number of persistent and mostly service-resistant individuals to return. We’re working now to close that gap,” a statement from Park’s office said in part.

In a statement, Mayor Bass’ office said in part, “We have known this is an extremely attractive area for encampments, but we will not be deterred.”

The encampment surrounds a currently vacant building — The Rose Venice, a historic restaurant that has been in Venice for over 40 years.

In a statement, the company that operates The Rose Venice, Sprout L.A., said in part, “We have been repeatedly vandalized, burglarized and harassed. Despite all this, we believe in the strength of this community and are committed to an eventual reopening.”

“I’ve seen them yell at people, go after people, crystal meth use, all kinds of drugs, shouting, urinating, defecating, all of it,” said Ribeiro.

Both Bass and Park are currently campaigning for re-election.

“It’s really bizarre, and I don’t know why they’re not enforcing the law the way they have been for three years,” Ryavec said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Wisconsin teens brave blizzard to shovel snow for neighbors in need

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Abbey Hamachek

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    MANITOWOC, Wisconsin (WGBA) — While most people stayed inside during Monday’s blizzard, two Manitowoc high school students spent their day walking through their neighborhood, offering to help anyone who needed a hand clearing the snow.

Sylas Ramos and Odin Villers took to social media and went door-to-door with shovels, saying the neighbors’ response motivated them to keep going.

“I guess this is our first one. We got more comments today, so that’s why we are out today,” Ramos said.

“This is our first one… but we are gonna be doing a few more after this. But I just like to help out,” Villers said.

When asked how difficult the conditions were, Villers didn’t sugarcoat it.

“It’s quite heavy, and it’s not stopping for a while,” Villers said.

The two teens say they plan to help out during the next blizzard — though they’re hoping that won’t come around for a long time.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Scripps editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Columbia, Walla Walla counties recovering from weekend floods

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Caleb Stipkovits

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    COLUMBIA COUNTY, Wash. (KAPP) — Communities across southeast Washington are working to recover after weekend flooding left some areas temporarily underwater.

Dayton, the largest city in Columbia County, experienced significant flooding that covered streets with water reaching up to a foot high on some properties.

“I was sleeping so it must have happened in the middle of the night,” Josh Lucas said, one Dayton resident. “I was wondering what was going on, then I heard swooshing outside, then I looked outside and saw all this water.”

At its peak, Lucas said the water reached his doorstep, about a foot off the ground.

Dayton, Waitsburg, and other communities built along the Touchet River bore the brunt of the flooding. The towns now face extensive cleanup efforts as residents and local crews work to remove the mud and debris left behind.

“I just started. Someone already shoveled my sidewalk, I don’t know who did. It’s a pain,” Lucas said about the cleanup process.

The flooding originated in the nearby Blue Mountains, where the combination of rainfall melting snow at high elevations and additional rain in the foothills overwhelmed the local water system. That included the Touchet river and other nearby water sources, causing them to swell.

Despite the challenging cleanup ahead, Lucas offered encouragement to fellow residents dealing with flood damage.

“Stay strong, that’s it. Stay strong,” he said.

Cleanup crews continue working to clear streets in Dayton and other affected areas. Authorities are asking residents to avoid driving on roads that remain blocked during the ongoing recovery efforts.

Apple Valley News Now plans to speak further with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office for more information on the county’s cleanup efforts.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

New company plans to use AI to help fire teams detect and respond to wildfires earlier

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Karson Wells

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    CALIFORNIA (KSBY) — When a wildfire breaks out, every second counts. A quick response can make the difference between a manageable fire and a catastrophic one.

CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Louis Ermigarat says that in the last 15 years, technological advances have made a huge difference in responding to wildfires quickly and efficiently.

“It’s important for us to get there within, you know, 20 or 30 minutes, nothing more than that, because we’re able to keep the fire ten acres or less 95% of the time,” Ermigarat said.

He says the use of the Alert California camera system has been a game-changer.

“The camera will send an alert to our emergency command center, and the folks will swing the camera over there and zoom in and see the size of it. With that very quick response, not only going, but gathering intel of how the fire started, how fast it’s spreading, we’re able to escalate our response,” Ermigarat said.

Now, a new company is aiming to take wildland fire detection technology even further. EmberPoint, founded by PG&E, Lockheed Martin, Salesforce, and Wells Fargo, is working to advance the tools available to fire teams.

“We want to make sure that our firefighters stay safe and that they have the right tools and the right coordinated technology to be able to, again, prevent, detect, and respond to fires quickly and safely,” said EmberPoint spokesperson Linsey Paulo.

Emberpoint says it will give first responders and utilities access to “artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and integrated command-and-control technologies” to help detect fires earlier and enhance coordination between agencies.

Before the company can fully deploy its technology, it will need to navigate a regulatory process.

“In order to utilize the wealth of information that we’ve developed on wildfire prevention and mitigation over the last 10 years, we’re going to have to go through a regulatory process with the California Public Utilities Commission,” Paulo said.

The technologies are reportedly being built out now and Emberpoint plans to be able to demonstrate them later this year.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Henderson woman fights to keep her animals amid camel controversy

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Ryan Ketcham

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    HENDERSON (KTNV) — You may have seen camels Moses and Abraham around the valley at a variety of community events, but that could change soon.

“Got my first camel in 2013 that was him,” said Nancy Rouas, Petting Zoo 2 U owner who has two camels. “Yup, that’s Moses, he was 6 months old when I got him at that time.”

Rouas has two camels in total and plenty of other animals, all part of her traveling business.

“So my company is called Petting Zoo 2 U, and it started very small in 1997 with just a few goats and chickens and rabbits,” Rouas said.

It’s grown from there.

Rouas now brings her animals all around the valley to community events, birthday parties, church events, and much more.

She even brings the camels with her often. As you’d expect, the reaction to seeing a large camel is priceless.

“So many people are in shock because he’s such an impressive animal. He’s so big, but he’s also super gentle,” Rouas said.

Rouas says the trouble started in 2024 — 11 years after she got her first camel — when she claims a Henderson Animal Protection Services officer visited her property.

“She saw the camels and said that’s an exotic animal, and you’re not allowed to keep exotic animals in Henderson,” Rouas said. “It was a little bit surprising.”

The visit coincided with a USDA reclassification that grouped camels alongside exotic animals. The City of Henderson tells Channel 13 it follows those federal guidelines, meaning camels are considered exotic — and prohibited without a special permit.

But the permit process itself has caused confusion.

“It does not require an owner just to keep a camel or to enjoy their camel,” Rouas said.

She says she’s nervous about the outcome. If her application is denied, she’d either have to give up the camels or leave Henderson entirely — and she says she’d rather move.

Before it came to that, though, Rouas says she would take the fight directly to the Henderson City Council, with a lawyer by her side.

The City says Rouas did apply for a conditional-use permit, but the application also proposed keeping more than 125 animals on her 1.5-acre property.

Despite the scale of her operation, Rouas says she has never received a single complaint.

“Never had a complaint from a neighbor, never a complaint from anyone at a public event, nothing,” Rouas said.

Henderson resident Steve Brincat backed that up: “I have never seen any complaints or heard any complaints from anybody about any animals.”

Rouas says her fight extends beyond Henderson — she also plans to challenge the USDA’s camel classification at the federal level. And she’s not doing it alone.

More than 18,000 people had signed an online petition in her support as of Monday night, with backing from across the country and internationally.

“It’s wonderful to get that kind of support,” Rouas said.

Brincat says he supports her 100%.

Here is the full statement the City of Henderson sent me regarding this story:

“The City of Henderson relies on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for review and permitting of wild and exotic animals, which includes camels. Camels are prohibited in Henderson; unless, owners are able to obtain the appropriate approvals, including any required city and federal permits.

In October, the City Council adopted revised animal code regulations that include enhanced standards for rural neighborhoods. Based in part on feedback Nancy provided during a public meeting, the City added a provision allowing residents to apply for a Conditional Use Permit to request approval for additional animals on their property within the rural neighborhood.

Since the code update, the City has not taken enforcement action and has been working with Nancy over the past four months to bring her animals into compliance with the regulations. She recently received a warning after exhibiting a camel without the required approvals and permits, including a USDA exhibitor permit.

Nancy currently has a Conditional Use Permit application under review. Her application includes the camel and requests approval to increase the number of other animals on her property. The property is approximately 1.5 acres, and the application proposes keeping more than 125 animals.

As part of the review process, the City evaluates the number and types of animals to ensure they are appropriate for the size of the property and consistent with City code.

The City’s animal codes are intended to ensure that animals are kept in appropriate areas, and that adequate space and proper conditions are maintained for their care and wellbeing.

The conditional use permit will be on April 16 Planning Commission agenda.” That Planning Commission meeting is at 4 p.m. April 16.

We will make sure to keep you up-to-date with all the latest on Nancy and her camels, and we’ll let you know what they decide.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

1 person shot at VA clinic in Jasper, Georgia; suspected gunman shot by police

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Christopher Harris

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    JASPER, Georgia (WUPA) — Authorities are investigating a shooting at a Veterans Affairs clinic in Jasper, Georgia, where police say a suspected gunman was shot by officers after reports of gunfire at the facility.

According to the City of Jasper, officers with the Jasper Police Department were dispatched around 1:30 p.m. to a report of shots fired at the VA Clinic on East Church Street.

When officers arrived, they located the suspected shooter at the scene. Police said the individual was confronted by responding officers and shot during the encounter.

Officials said one victim was found at the scene and taken for medical treatment before being airlifted to a hospital. Authorities have not released the victim’s condition.

Earlier, CBS News Atlanta was told by the FBI in Atlanta that it was aware of the shooting and was assessing whether federal involvement would be necessary.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed it has been asked to assist with the investigation.

City officials described the area around the VA building as a controlled law enforcement scene and asked residents to avoid the area while investigators continue their work.

Authorities have not released the identity of the suspected shooter or additional details about what led to the incident. The case remains under active investigation, and officials say more information will be released as it becomes available.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Texas teacher dies hours after giving birth to first child; husband shares grief: “I wish she was still here”

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Amelia Mugavero

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    PLANO, Texas (KTVT) — March is Pregnancy After Loss Awareness Month, a time meant to support families navigating profound grief. For one North Texas family, that loss is deeply personal.

Natalie Martin, a Plano second-grade teacher, died Feb. 15 while giving birth to her first child, leaving her husband, Aaron Martin, to care for their newborn son.

“Just being here… I catch myself, I wish she was still here,” Aaron Martin said.

Inside the family’s home, photos and keepsakes reflect a relationship built on shared faith and deep connection.

“Everything about our faith and our personalities just meshed so well,” he said. “We complemented each other.”

Natalie Martin worked in Plano ISD, where her husband said she was known for putting others first, especially her students.

“She put everyone first, that included her students… just being someone that was sacrificial from herself to others,” her husband added.

One of life’s most beautiful moments turns tragic

Her pregnancy had been healthy, he said, and the couple was nearing their due date when she began experiencing sudden back pain and went to the hospital as a precaution.

“Just a precautionary check-in to make sure all was well,” he said. “Obviously, things kind of declined from there on.”

Doctors performed an emergency C-section. Natalie Martin died hours later due to internal bleeding.

“There was just some bleeding that they couldn’t stop,” Martin admitted. “I was just in shock… trying to wrap my mind around the situation.”

A battle of grief and joy

Their son, Parker, survived and is healthy.

Martin described the conflicting emotions of overwhelming grief and joy.

“She gave everything for him, and he was first,” he said. “In the few hours they got together, it was clear that nothing else mattered except him.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 18 out of every 100,000 mothers died from pregnancy-related causes in 2024, a slight decrease from the year before. While maternal deaths remain relatively rare, the United States continues to have higher rates than many other developed countries.

Martin said he never expected his family to be part of those statistics.

“She was healthy. Parker was healthy during the pregnancy, so it was never really a thought on our mind that anything could go wrong,” he said. “It was definitely shocking.”

Honoring Natalie

Friends, family and colleagues gathered Friday, March 13, for a candlelight vigil to honor Natalie Martin’s life, remembered for her kindness, faith and devotion to others.

Martin said he finds comfort in seeing his wife reflected in their son.

“Every time I look at him, I see her,” he said. “When we talked about Parker and our future, she would just glow… and when I see him, I see her.”

Martin hopes others facing loss will lean on their support systems.

“It’s something you can’t ever really prepare for,” he said. “But being able to look at him and know we’re going to be OK, and that he’s going to know his mom, that means everything.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Tempe man accused of killing ballerina wife won’t face trial until summer

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Anne Ryman

Click here for updates on this story

    TEMPE, AZ (KNXV) — Christopher Hoopes, the Tempe man charged with second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of his wife, will not face trial until this summer at the earliest.

Tempe police say Hoopes shot and killed his 25-year-old wife, Colleen, in the middle of the night. She was a dancer with Ballet Arizona.

Christopher Hoopes has pleaded not guilty. His trial has been moved back multiple times, most recently because he switched defense attorneys, and his new lawyer has been involved in another lengthy trial.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Monica Edelstein addressed the delays during a recent court hearing.

“It sounds like, and I just want to make sure the court is tracking based on my notes, there was still work being done with regard to experts, gathering information, disclosing information,” Edelstein said.

Both the prosecution and defense agreed to the extended time. His next court hearing is set for June 15.

ABC15 has covered this case extensively. As ABC15 previously reported, court records indicate his defense team hired pharmacy experts for a potentially unusual defense.

“At the time of the incident, Mr. Hoopes was legally prescribed medications. The use of these medications and the effects of these medications are directly relevant to Mr. Hoopes’ defense,” according to a filed motion by his attorneys previously.

Hoopes received permission to hire two expert witnesses: a pharmacologist and a forensic psychiatrist. The pharmacologist is needed to “educate the jury on the medication, uses, and side effects of the legally prescribed medications,” according to a court filing. The forensic psychiatrist is needed to assist attorneys and “educate the jury on Mr. Hoopes’ mental state, the effects of various medications, and how the relevant medications impact intent.”

James Charnesky, a Tucson defense lawyer who is not involved in the case, told ABC15 in a previous interview that Hoopes may be considering a defense called “involuntary intoxication.”

This is where a defendant claims their legally prescribed medicine caused unintended, even dangerous, side effects that affected their perception.

Court records don’t name the specific medications Hoopes was prescribed. He told police he took medications for blood pressure and asthma, according to a police report, but it’s unclear which ones.

Christopher Hoopes has had his trial delayed multiple times

Christopher Hoopes, the Tempe man charged with second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of his wife, will not face trial until this summer at the earliest. Tempe man accused of killing ballerina wife won’t face trial until summer 220506_baz_17296.jpg By: Anne Ryman Posted 1:20 AM, Mar 17, 2026 TEMPE, AZ — Christopher Hoopes, the Tempe man charged with second-degree murder in the 2022 shooting death of his wife, will not face trial until this summer at the earliest.

Tempe police say Hoopes shot and killed his 25-year-old wife, Colleen, in the middle of the night. She was a dancer with Ballet Arizona.

Christopher Hoopes has pleaded not guilty. His trial has been moved back multiple times, most recently because he switched defense attorneys, and his new lawyer has been involved in another lengthy trial.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Monica Edelstein addressed the delays during a recent court hearing.

“It sounds like, and I just want to make sure the court is tracking based on my notes, there was still work being done with regard to experts, gathering information, disclosing information,” Edelstein said.

Both the prosecution and defense agreed to the extended time. His next court hearing is set for June 15.

ABC15 has covered this case extensively. As ABC15 previously reported, court records indicate his defense team hired pharmacy experts for a potentially unusual defense.

“At the time of the incident, Mr. Hoopes was legally prescribed medications. The use of these medications and the effects of these medications are directly relevant to Mr. Hoopes’ defense,” according to a filed motion by his attorneys previously.

Null ABC15 is committed to finding the answers you need and holding those accountable.

Submit your news tip to Investigators@abc15.com

Hoopes received permission to hire two expert witnesses: a pharmacologist and a forensic psychiatrist. The pharmacologist is needed to “educate the jury on the medication, uses, and side effects of the legally prescribed medications,” according to a court filing. The forensic psychiatrist is needed to assist attorneys and “educate the jury on Mr. Hoopes’ mental state, the effects of various medications, and how the relevant medications impact intent.”

James Charnesky, a Tucson defense lawyer who is not involved in the case, told ABC15 in a previous interview that Hoopes may be considering a defense called “involuntary intoxication.”

This is where a defendant claims their legally prescribed medicine caused unintended, even dangerous, side effects that affected their perception.

Court records don’t name the specific medications Hoopes was prescribed. He told police he took medications for blood pressure and asthma, according to a police report, but it’s unclear which ones.

Body camera video from Tempe police that night shows Hoopes telling officers who respond to his home that he was asleep for three hours. He says he woke up startled and grabbed his gun out of his nightstand.

“It was like a dream. I don’t know. Like, I just woke up in a panic,” he tells the officer.

He tells the officer he grabbed the gun, stood up, and shot.

“I fired at my wife.”

“Then I realized it was her.”

The police officer asks Hoopes how many times he shot.

“I think three times,” he says.

Hoopes goes on to say:

“At first, when I shot her, I didn’t, I thought it was someone else.”

The officer questions him further.

“Were you fully aware of what was going on? Did you knowingly do what you were doing?

Hoopes responds, “I didn’t knowingly shoot my wife.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Potholes in construction zones on local roads: Who’s responsible for repair, damages?

KRDO on March 17, 2026

Scott Harrison

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) — A recent rash of pothole damage along North Gate Boulevard in Colorado Springs raises an interesting question.

Who bears responsibility for repairing road damage and reimbursing drivers on a city street that is part of a county-led stormwater project that passes through a construction zone?

“Generally, within the limits of a construction site, it’s the responsibility of the contractor to maintain the road,” said Joshua Palmer, the county’s chief engineer. “It’s not just the road. It could be the drainage, it could be the signals, it could be striping or traffic control. But if it’s within the limits of the project itself, the contractors are typically responsible for those types of things.”

Earlier this month, a large pothole developed on westbound North Gate, a city street slightly west of Struthers Road, which is in the county’s jurisdiction.

The pothole wasn’t there when KRDO 13’s The Road Warrior was in the area a day earlier; drivers began experiencing flat tires and bent rims at around 5 a.m.

A construction worker filled the pothole just before 8 a.m., but the damage had been done by then.

North Gate and Struthers have been crumbling for years, but repaving has been delayed several times due to several utility projects in the area.

Last fall, the city filled many potholes on North Gate and Struthers, and repaved the eastbound right lane of North Gate in front of the Mining Museum.

However, some of the patches have since popped out, and the stormwater project seems to have accelerated the rate of deterioration on North Gate.

It may seem surprising that potholes can develop in the relatively dry and mild weather we’ve experienced since late last summer, and with less of the freeze/thaw cycle that can worsen pothole formation.

“But we’ve also had a lot of fluctuating temperatures,” Palmer explained. “Just over the weekend, we went from 70 degrees down to the teens. It’s also the fluctuation of the temperatures, because there’s always going to be moisture in the ground, and it never goes away.”

The stormwater project began last November and is scheduled for completion in May, with paving work to follow this summer.

Palmer said that it would be a waste of time and resources to perform temporary paving on roads that are already crumbling and will only continue to deteriorate during construction.

On county-maintained roads, Palmer said that crews generally respond to pothole reports within a day or two, but a large pothole in a construction zone means that someone may not repair it — or report it — for a longer period.

It’s unclear how many vehicles were damaged by the redent pothole on North Gate, but its size and scope led to a fairly quick response from the contractor.

Palmer added that generally, the county doesn’t reimburse drivers for road damage; however, people can file claims or report potholes on the county’s Citizen Connect webpage.

To view the page, click here: https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com//

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Chicago firefighter dies after fall while battling in extra-alarm fire

CNN Newsource on March 17, 2026

By Elyssa Kaufman

Click here for updates on this story

    CHICAGO (WBBM) — A Chicago firefighter has died from his injuries after battling an extra-alarm fire Monday afternoon in an apartment building in Rogers Park.

Around 100 firefighters responded to the 2-11 alarm fire at a four-story apartment building at 1757 W. North Shore Ave., just before 11:30 a.m. Monday.

Officials said a firefighter/EMT, identified as Michael Altman, 32, fell from the first floor to the basement and was rescued within one minute.

A Chicago Fire Department spokesman said the Altman was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in serious-to-critical condition on Monday. Sources said he suffered extensive burns all over his body, including second- and third-degree burns.

CFD firefighters gathered at the hospital Tuesday morning before a procession brought Altman’s remains from Stroger Hospital to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office nearby.

“We are heartbroken by yet another loss of our own,” said Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt. “Michael gave everything in service to the people of Chicago, and we will never forget his courage and sacrifice.”

Nance-Holt said Altman would have completed two years on the job in May. He was assigned to Truck 47 in the Edgewater neighborhood, and he was a fourth-generation member of the CFD.

Altman’s grandfather, Edward P. Altman Jr., served as fire commissioner from 1996 to 1999. The senior Altman died in 2020.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson asked the City of Chicago to pray for the Altman family and the Chicago Fire Department.

“Today, the City of Chicago not only lost a public servant, but we lost a hero,” the mayor said. “Firefighter/EMT Altman displayed an incredible amount of courage and bravery and strength, and we are in deep sorrow as a city for this tragic loss.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the CFD said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.