Calls to Japan are free

In order to ease concerns as customers reach out to friends, family and colleagues in Japan, Bright House Networks announced Tuesday its commitment to make all Home Phone and Business Phone customer calls to Japan free through April 15, retroactive to calls placed beginning March 11.

Bright House Networks’ Home Phone and Business Phone customers will not be charged for any calls to land lines or cell phone numbers in Japan.

Customers making calls to Japan during the program timeframe will be issued a credit on their account for any direct dial calls made to the country, with no need to do anything else. Credits for all calls made during the program time period will appear on customer accounts in May. Calls to operators or directory assistance are not direct dial calls, so these will be charged at the usual rate.

City reduces fees for spring break camp

The city of Kissimmee Parks and Recreation Department is offering a $20 discount for its Spring Break Camp, which is now $75 for registration.

Activities will be from Monday, March 21, through Friday, March 25. The reduced camp fee includes admission and transportation to field trip destinations, such as Fun Spot, Skate Reflections and the Osceola County Library.

Camp is open to youngsters from kindergarten through eighth grade and supervision is provided from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Campers must bring a packed lunch each day.

Space is limited and early registration is recommended.

Register at the Oak Street Park Community Center, 717 N. Palm Ave., Kissimmee, or online at www.kissimmeeparks.org.

For more information about this program or other Kissimmee Parks and Recreation programs, call 407-847-2388.

Structure blaze started with vehicle fire

The Kissimmee Fire Department deployed units from all four of its fire stations at 5:45 a.m. Monday for a commercial structure fire at 2450 Smith St., according to a city press release.

Osceola County Sheriff’s Office deputies were in the area investigating alarms when they noticed smoke coming from an auto body shop. The first KFD units to arrive on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the eaves of a strip warehouse. An explosion was heard and fire vented through the roof.

Firefighters were able to get the blaze under control and gain access to the building, determining that a vehicle was on fire.

The Sheriff’s Office is questioning a person of interest in connection with the fire, according to city of Kissimmee spokeswoman Carla Banks. The county’s fire investigator and the state fire marshal responded to the scene as well. No injuries were reported.

Structure fire in St. Cloud

Just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, St. Cloud Fire Rescue responded to a two-alarm structure fire at 1900 Peachtree Blvd., in Pine Lake Estates.

One of the occupants, who was awake in the home and discovered the fire, woke four other family members alerting them to get out of the house and called 911, according to a Fire Rescue press release.

Upon arrival, fire personnel found a large amount of smoke and fire coming through the roof of the one-story, single-family dwelling. Firefighters deployed fire lines and began putting the fire out. Due to the size of the fire, mutual aid with Osceola County Fire Rescue was requested to provide additional firefighting and EMS transport assistance.

One St. Cloud firefighter was injured while working outside the structure. Firefighter/paramedic Ben Faber was transported to the hospital for overexertion and difficulty breathing. His injuries are considered minor and non-life threatening, according to St. Cloud Fire Rescue Chief Bill Johnston.

The state fire marshal’s office was called in to assist with determining the cause and origin of the fire, Johnston said, adding that the structure was deemed uninhabitable due to the extensive fire damage. The homeowners told authorities they would stay with friends.