Shenandoah County has cut off all funding to New Market Volunteer Fire Department after a forensic investigator found evidence of financial misdeeds.

Check out the county's resolution and the investigator's report here.

This press release was just issued by the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department:

Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a condomnium fire
Thursday, October 30, 2008, at approximately 4:40 p.m. in the Stephens City area of
Frederick County. The condominium is iocated at 108TimberlakeTerrace.

Firefighters encountered fire on the third floor with extension in the attic. Smoke was visible from all surrounding areas. By the time firefighters were able to attack the fire, the roof collapsed. Three residents were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

After approximately two hours, firefighters were abie to bring the fire under control with total extinguishment approximately six hours after the initial call.

According to fire investigators, the fire was accidental. Improper extinguishing of smoking materials was the cause of the blaze. Damage is estimated at over $1 million.

Discarded Smoking Materials Safety Tips

• Completely douse butts and ashes with water before throwing them away, as they can smolder and cause a fire.


• Never smoke in bed.


• Provide large, deep ashtrays with a center support for smokers. Check furniture for any dropped ashes before going to bed. Empty ashes into a fireproof container with water and sand.


• Keep smoking materials away from anything that can burn (Le., mattresses; bedding, upholstered furniture, draperies, etc.).


• Never-smoke in a home where oxygen is being used.


• If you smoke, choose fire-safe cigarettes. 'They are less likely to cause flres.


• To·prevent a deadly cigarette fire, stay alert. Do not smoke if you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine or other drugs.


• Keep matches and lighters up high and away from children's sight and reach.

FRONT ROYAL -- The April 17 fire that killed Steven Cook, 32 and his daughters, Melissa, 8, and Stevie, 4, has been labeled undetermined and not a result of arson, according to a press release issued this morning by Front Royal Police Chief Ronald A. Williamson.

The origin of the fire at 1352 John Marshall Highway was in the area of the southeast corner of the house's front porch, facing the highway, according to Cpl. Steve Mauck, lead investigator in the case.

Theories into the cause of the fire, according to the release, include an improperly discarded cigarette or some recently laid landscaping mulch that could have built up heat and spontaneously caught fire.

Visit nvdaily.com for more information about this case.

A concert will be held to benefit the Cook family of Front Royal at the Warren County Fairgrounds from 7 to 10 p.m. on May 10.

The concert features Danny Figgins as "Willie Nelson," Liz Ruffner as "Patsy Cline," Robbie Limon as "Hank Williams Sr." and "Buddy Holly," and Richard Proctor as "Elvis Presley." Bleacher seats available or you may bring your own chair or blanket. A free will offering will be taken.

An April 17 fire destroyed the Cook family home on John Marshall Highway. Melissa Cook survived, but her husband and two daughters died as a result of the fire.

Ever since they arrived on scene at 1352 John Marshall Highway on April 17, Front Royal police Sgt. R. Clint Keller and Cpl. Steve Mauck have made investigating a fire that claimed the lives of three people priority number one.

"No matter what we find, we have to rule out every single cause," said Keller, head of investigations for the Police Department.

Read the latest information on the fatal Front Royal fire

View audio slideshow

The search for the remains of a second missing child believed to have been killed in a fire early Thursday morning on John Marshall Highway in Front Royal was called off Monday for the second day in a row due to inclement weather. Read the story

A memorial Web page has been set up for the Cook family: http://stevenmadisonstevi-cook.last-memories.com

(From a press release) Front Royal Police Chief Ronald A. Williamson has announced that donations will be accepted for the Cook family who suffered the loss of two children in the fire that destroyed their house on John Marshall Highway on Thursday.

The Loyal Order of Moose #829, 1340 John Marshall Highway, Front Royal, will be collecting the donations during normal business hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Anyone wishing to contribute by mail may do so by sending it to P.O. Box 95, Front Royal, Virginia 22630. For more information on giving to the family, contact Ben Auterback at (540) 636-6355.

Daily chief photographer Rich Cooley was on the scene of Thursday's fatal fire in Front Royal. His photos and audio of Warren County Fire and Rescue Chief Richard E. Mabie talking about the fire are online:

View audio slideshow

An 8-year-old girl and her 4-year-old sister are unaccounted for following a house fire in Front Royal today. Visit nvdaily.com for more details as they become available. Read more

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The Front Royal Police Department responded early this morning to a house fire. The fire was reported at approximately 4:34 AM. Upon the officers' arrival, they found a two-story house, located at 1352 John Marshal Highway, fully involved. Fire units
arrived and began fighting the fire.

It was determined that there had been a total of eight occupants in the house. Two of the occupants were flown by helicopter to the Washington Hospital Center and are listed in critical condition. Two occupants were taken to Warren Memorial Hospital and have been treated and released for smoke inhalation and minor abrasions. Two occupants were unharmed and two occupants are unaccounted for at this time.

The Front Royal Police Department is investigating the cause of the fire and is being assisted by the Warren County Fire and Rescue Department, Warren County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and the Loudoun County Fire Marshall's Office.

Fire units from Front Royal, Linden, Rivermont, North Warren, and Strasburg assisted at the scene.