South
Firefighters battle inferno after reported explosion near Texas airport, 7 injured
More than half a dozen people were injured after a reported vehicle explosion ignited a large inferno Tuesday afternoon near El Paso International Airport.
Just before 4 p.m., El Paso Fire Department posted on X confirming crews were responding to a condition 4 fire at the Sun Metro Transit Operations Center.
More than 100 firefighters and more than 40 fire units responded, according to El Paso strategic communications director Laura Cruz Acosta.
The Texas Department of Transportation shared photos of the inferno near El Paso International Airport. (Texas Department of Transportation)
The fire was later upgraded to a second alarm, which means the fire escalated and more firefighters were needed to battle the blaze.
Seven patients were assessed, and four were taken to area hospitals, according to the fire department. No fatalities were reported.
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KFOX14 reported a vehicle exploded, possibly inside the Sun Metro center, igniting the fire.
The roof and walls of the building collapsed in the fire, FOX 4 reported.
As of 7 p.m., the fire was knocked down, and crews were checking for hot spots, according to EPFD. Fire investigators are at the scene.
El Paso Police Department confirmed it is assisting and asked locals to avoid the area.
The Texas Department of Transportation shared photos of the inferno near El Paso International Airport. (Texas Department of Transportation)
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Acosta released a statement noting details about the fire and its cause are “limited.”
“Our primary focus is on containing the fire and the safety of our staff,” according to the statement. “We want to extend our sincere gratitude to our first responders for their swift action in addressing the situation.”
El Paso International Airport operations are unaffected, according to Acosta.
Traffic is closed until further notice at Montana Avenue and Wedgewood Drive, according to police and the Texas Department of Transportation.
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A category 4 fire carries a “very high” level of danger, according to the US Forestry Service. They can spread rapidly and become long-lasting.
FOX 4’s Adam Fullerton contributed to this report.
Miami, FL
Future of Miami historic landmark continues in limbo after redevelopment plan rejected by zoning board
The fight over the future of the Coconut Grove Playhouse continues after a controversial redevelopment plan was rejected by a city zoning hearing on Wednesday.
The historic landmark, built in 1927, has been a dilapidated eyesore since it closed its doors in 2006. Developers had previously come in for renovations, but the project stalled following a partial collapse. The site is currently covered under a black tarp as the city continues to disagree on its final plans.
The city zoning hearing reviewing the proposal for the Coconut Grove Playhouse went late into the night on Wednesday. Miami-Dade County leaders plan to redevelop the site into an open campus with a new theater, shops, and parking. However, not all residents are for it.
“This is a place that is a treasure in Coconut Grove,” said Carl Hawks, a Coconut Grove resident.
Marlene Erven, with the Coconut Grove Women’s Club, explained the neighborhood’s concerns.
“We are fighting to preserve as much as we can for the intent of the property, which is a cultural use and to help the neighborhood be protected from the commercial intrusion of all of the development,” Erven said.
In the end, the plan was rejected, which thrilled residents like Erven.
“I think yesterday was a win to some extent for saving the Playhouse and the residents of West Grove,” Erven said.
While most “Grovites” disagree with the county’s major plan, they do say something needs to be done, all while keeping the history of the site alive.
The developers will now have to return to the drawing board. It is unknown when those new plans will be presented. The saga of the Coconut Grove Playhouse continues.
FLOWERY BRANCH – The Atlanta Falcons are gearing up for rookie minicamp this weekend after a flurry of player moves over the last several weeks. General manager Ian Cunningham is not finished making changes to his roster, and the front office has reunited with another former player.
According to a press release from the team, the Falcons have signed cornerback Darren Hall and released safety Tysheem Johnson in a corresponding move.
Hall was originally selected by the franchise in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of San Diego State. Over his four seasons with the Falcons (2021-22) and Arizona Cardinals (2024-25), he has appeared in 48 games (12 starts), registering 85 total tackles, three tackles for loss, six passes defended, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
In the time between his stints in Atlanta and Arizona, Hall was a member of the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad (2023).
As a college player for the Aztecs, he tied the FBS lead for pass breakups with 16 in 2019. He appeared in 34 games (22 starts) over his three seasons (2018-20) with San Diego State, recording 134 tackles (101 solo), 31 passes defensed, eight tackles for loss, six interceptions, three forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection following the 2020 season.
As a pro, Hall’s career has not gone exactly as he would have hoped. 10 of Hall’s starts came with the Falcons, and he largely struggled in 2022. He surrendered 362 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 27 receptions against 37 targets. The Falcons waived him in August 2023 in favor of rookie Clark Phillips III, Jeff Okudah, Tre Flowers, and Mike Hughes.
Hall is still a versatile player with solid tackling ability, giving him a shot at being a depth cornerback on this roster or earning a spot on the practice squad. He will face stiff competition to earn that spot, with Phillips, Cobee Bryant, Darnay Holmes, Mike Ford Jr., C.J. Henderson, and Natrone Brooks all standing in his way.
For now, he is the second player from that 2021 draft class (Terry Fontenot’s first as a general manager) to receive some form of a second contract (Kyle Pitts was franchise tagged earlier this offseason) – it just did not happen the way anyone expected. Hall now becomes the third former Falcon to join the roster via free agency this offseason after stints with other franchises (Austin Hooper and Olamide Zaccheaus).
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