Pink Heals to Donate T-Shirt Proceeds to Hasbro Children's Hospital

Pink t-shirts were purchased by firefighters across Rhode Island during the Pink Heals “Cares Enough to Wear Pink” campaign.

The Rhode Island Pink Heals has once again teamed up with firefighters throughout the State of Rhode Island to wear pink T-shirts while on duty to support the women of RI with ALL types of cancer. The shirts were worn by all the participating fire departments from Oct. 21 to 28.  This year, the shirts also have the name “Jenna” on the left sleeve to remember 9-year-old Jenna Jacques who passed away on July 6, 2012 from brain cancer. Jenna Jacques was an advocate for childhood cancer in RI and also who the RI Pink Heals named their pink rescue after. It was also special to put Jenna’s name on our shirts because Wednesday, Oct. 24th would have been her 10th birthday.  Firefighters throughout RI purchased 1,541 shirts with their own money, …

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UPDATED: Head-On Collision Results in Serious Injuries

Four people were transported to local hospitals Wednesday after a head-on crash on West Main Road.

Updated at 2:57 p.m.  Four people were injured Wednesday morning after a head-on collision before 5:30 a.m. on West Main Road near King's Grant.  Four people were injured, including one person with "very serious injuries" still trapped inside the vehicle when crews arrived. The collision involved four-vehicles, according to a press release from the Portsmouth Police Department.  According to the press release, a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta was operating northbound on West Main Road when it crossed over the double yellow lines and sideswiped a 2006 Toyota Solara. The Toyota Solara, operated by Suzette Wilcox, 49, of Warren, was traveling southbound on West Main Road.  "After colliding with the Solara, the Volkswagen then struck a 2007 Chevy …

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UPDATED: Police Close Mt. Hope Bridge After Fatal Crash

State Police are reportedly leading an investigation into a fatal crash on the Mt. Hope Bridge Saturday night.

Updated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.  Motorists were directed to find alternate routes Saturday night after police closed Mt. Hope Bridge to all traffic following a serious motor vehicle crash.  Multiple sources from both the Portsmouth Fire and Police Departments confirmed the crash involved a fatality. Information about the victim or possible victims is unknown at this time.  According to The Providence Journal, one man died and five other people were injured after a two-vehicle crash around 7 p.m. The identity of the deceased man and those injured have not been released.  Multiple people were reported to be injured, according to Capt. Michael O'Brien, spokesperson for the Portsmouth Fire Department. Portsmouth and Bristol Rescues were called …

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Portsmouth Firefighters Extinguish Vehicle Blaze

No injuries were reported. The fire is extinguished at this time.

Portsmouth firefighters responded to a van fire Thursday morning across from the U.S. Postal Office on Chase Road.  The vehicle fire, located in the driveway of 58 Chase Road, was first reported at 10:03 a.m. Engines 1 and 3 responded to the blaze.  The fire is extinguished at this time. No injuries were reported.  A Portsmouth Patch user submitted the photos and videos featured above. A huge thank-you goes out to this user!  Receive updates to this story and other breaking news in your inbox or smartphone by signing up for our newsletter here

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Portsmouth Firefighters To Distribute Thanksgiving Baskets to Needy

The Portsmouth firefighters Local 1949 will be holding their second annual Thanksgiving food baskets distribution this month.

Political Candidate Cuts Campaign Short To Help Hurricane Victims

One political candidate will miss his own election next week as he aids Hurricane Sandy victims.

One candidate running for the Portsmouth Town Council will miss next week's General Election — and opportunities to campaign days before — in order to help victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Robert "Bob" Church, a Democratic candidate for the Portsmouth Town Council, was activated as a FEMA responder on Tuesday following Hurricane Sandy. He was called in to respond with the National Disaster Medical System.  "We were originally headed for New Jersey, but diverted to New York for now," Church wrote in e-mail. His cell phone service is "spotty" in New York City, he said.  "Have spent a day in Queens before being sent to Brooklyn. We are assisting local assets with shelters and shelter needs medical," he wrote.   Church, who retired as deputy fire …

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UPDATE: Search Underway After Empty Boat Found

An empty boat was found near the bridge Friday morning.

[Update as of 3:43 p.m.]  The Coast Guard is searching near the Mount Hope Bridge after an empty dinghy was found Friday morning, reports The Providence Journal.  Police and fire have been searching the area since before 9 a.m. this morning.  An empty small boat was found around 8:30 a.m. off of Common Fence Point, according to Capt. Michael O'Brien, spokesman for the Portsmouth Fire Department. The search will be called off after 2 a.m. Saturday morning if nothing is found, according to O'Brien. A University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth soccer jacket with the number "23" was found, according to a release from the Coast Guard.  Rescue crews believe the boat did have someone aboard at some point, O'Brien said.  A search began shortly …

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Marsh Fire Burns in Common Fence Point

Portsmouth firefighters and police were called to Common Fence Point Monday night for a brush fire.

A brush fire burned about a half acre of marsh land Monday night in Common Fence Point.  Portsmouth firefighters were called to the fire along Common Fence Boulevard at 9:24 p.m.  Engine 3 and Brush 1 responded and quickly extinguished the fire.  The cause of the fire is unknown and under investigation at this time. Portsmouth police were also called to the area.  Previous brush fires have occurred in the past year in Common Fence Point. It is unknown if any of these fires are related. 

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