>> more than a dozen people are homeless tonight after a three alarm fire in southeast baltimore. good evening, everyone. the star -- the fire started around 6:45 this morning.

it temporary -- it temporarily knocked out power to the entire block. >> police officials are still trying to figure out what sparked the fire but arson detectives were called out to the scene. a spokesman said this is standard procedure. the call came in at about 6:45 this morning. when firefighters arrived, they noticed heavy smoke and thick flames coming from of the home. the fire spread to eight other homes on the block. >>

necessary to cut a trench to limit the spread of the fire. as many as 14 people have been affected. >> the red cross and the city neighborhood services are helping the 14th people displaced by the fire. there are two injuries as a result of the fire -- a firefighter twisted his ankle and a resident of one of the homes was treated for smoke inhalation. thank you. investigators are trying to figure out what sparked a to alarm fire in rural howard county. these are pictures sent to us from the scene. this was an woodbine. first responder say the barn was engulfed in flames when they got there. we were told there were horses inside but they were rescued and brought to safety. the barn itself as a total loss. police in hartford county are trying to determine whether to stabbings are related. both of them happened in edgewood on saturday night in the 17th block of mead would court. investigators say that cases are similar and both victims said

they were walking in that area and were caught up in a dispute. one of the victims is in stable condition after undergoing surgery. >> strange whether to take out the old and bring in the new year. yesterday it was 60 and a very nice day. not quite as warm today. a beautiful morning but we clouded up this afternoon. you can see three bands, one running from new jersey to delaware and the eastern shore and another from eastern pennsylvania right along the interstate 95 corridor through baltimore and washington d.c. another band between hagerstown and cumberland. everything is moving east. but some colder temperatures are coming in so somebody is going to get some snow. we will deal with that in your forecast in just a minute. >> it would not be dead new year

without new laws going into effect today. new fines starting with the state highway administration finding anyone placing a sign on the road without a permit. crews would remove the sign of using money from taxpayer pockets. violators will now pay $25 for each illegally placed sign. perhaps one of the most talked about changes in baltimore county is exchange -- extending health care couples' legally married in another state. one couple had been together for nearly 20 years. the two were married in math and -- in massachusetts. as a baltimore county police officer, she filed a grievance with the union which the county and labor union denied. her complaint went to an arbitrator ruled in her favor. the new provision allows an the county employee legally married another state to extend their

health-care benefits to their same-sex partner. we have confirmed the first baby of the new year in the baltimore area was born at 12:17 at john hopkins medical center. they cannot confirm whether it is a boy or girl but the newborn and mother are healthy and in well. clocking in just behind that one, was a baby boy delivered at 12:37 this morning. the parents say the labor was a surprise and they got to the hospital at 4:00 yesterday afternoon. the father was at work. >> i was excited. he was bored. it was exciting. i was not expecting that to say the least. >> all are arresting and with a family and friends. >> on this first day of 2012, the ravens look to keep a new

year's resolution of a home playoff game. the ravenswood need to win over cincinnati to walk up a division playoff. we cannot show you the highlights during this newscast because the game isn't progress. the ravens are leading the bengals' 17-3 in the first quarter. we will have complete highlights tonight after sunday night football. a new year and new fees. in a few weeks, it going to cost twice as much for a chance to win power ball. while lottery officials think it is a winning idea. first, and arson outbreak in los angeles. 39 suspicious fires in the past few weeks. investigators say they have one key element in common. >> or rain moving out of the picture but snow moves in along with colder temperatures. with colder temperatures. your forecast coming

>> covering the nation -- three dozen suspected arson fires over just a few days in los angeles county have mobilized several law-enforcement and fire agencies. fires like this one set in west hollywood are believed to be linked to the same arsonist or arsonists. so far, 39 fires are being looked at as having been set under suspicious circumstances over the past 72 hours and all seem to have been sparked in the same way. >> most of the fires started as a result as something that ignites a vehicle fire next to a structure. we see auto fires as one of the primary incendiary items that happens first. that's what we are looking for

but that's not the only thing out there. >> smoke detectors have kept the fires from becoming so big. a task force has formed to find the culprits. get ready to pay more for power ball -- ticket prices are going up to $2. they hope it will entice more people to play because the jackpots are getting bigger and the odds are improving. it's a strategy to differentiate the game from mega millions that sells for $1 per ticket. lottery officials but players will like the variety. the price change takes effect on january 15th. five gop candidates are suing to get on the virginia republican primary ballot. they are joining rick perry in the lawsuit originally filed on tuesday. a lawsuit against the state board of elections challenges who can appear on the primary ballot.

petitions were not filed to get on. mitt romney and ron paul successfully filed and will be on the ballot. the next time a disaster strikes, will you and your family be ready? the red cross says make that your resolution. what you need in your emergency kit when we come back. >> a big storm rolling through. in the great lakes, there is some snow and cold air coming in. not a very cold right now. at the airport, 50 degrees and humidity down even though it is raining. the barometer is low and

[marching band playing]

>> 2011 is going down as a disastrous year when it comes to mother nature -- a deadly tsunami and tornadoes, the list goes on and on. red cross officials are warning you should get an emergency kit organized for 2012. >> we had a record number of disasters last year. we had everything except a volcano. >> aside from canned food and a first-aid kit, make sure you have a weather radio and batteries. make sure you have 1 gallon of water per person per day. >> let's take a look at the radar briefly. if you light showers coming through the area. south of the district of

columbia and points south, circle that to make it easy. even some lingering stuff near hagerstown. it's all showing up as a rain as the temperatures go up. another mild day, 57 at the airport. way above average for the season. the record for the state was 4.3 inches. green and blue with temperatures in the '50s. we are around 50 degrees and that falls into the 40's. west of us, you will see that temperatures tumble as the system goes through. it will warm up front right through us. it turns to snow in the great lakes with breezy conditions.

once the front comes through, we are going to drop the temperatures. the wind will kick in and of the wind chill will be a big factor. showers will be ending and someone may get clipped by a flurry to the west. during the day tomorrow, partly cloudy skies. it will cloud up a bit and will be signed. somebody could catch some flurries to the northwest. stronger gusts and 40 to the high tomorrow. west wins at 15 to 20 miles an hour. a small craft advisory for boaters in the bay. the one area of rain will be leaving and a steady snow in the mountains to the west. there will be accumulations.

as we go into tuesday, that will go what and there might be flurries here and there. especially on wednesday, as the warmer air tries to come back in. we talked about the snow out west -- over the next couple of days, up to six to 12 inches of snow is possible at highest elevations. here is the 7 day forecast. 42 degrees to borrow. 40 on wednesday. a couple of really cold days where readings will be below the average. there may be a stray flurry here or there. >> we are seeing nothing but mild. we're seeing some great stuff. >> may be the next penn state

coach -- not tom brady, but the

>> the ravens are looking below suspect the last two weeks. any thing but shaky today. dominating first half today. right now, baltimore leads 17-10 in the quarter. with a win, the ravens will earn the no. 2 seed and a week of rest. penn state is undergoing a unique coaching.

it is still a passionate fan base and 110,000 seat stadium. penn state has targeted bill o'brien, a man with ties to the area and attended and played football at brown university. he will meet with school officials this coming week. he's in the final year of his contract with the patriots. he would have his hands full with recruiting. numerous records have de- committed. they're trying to ensure nothing like the jerry sandusky saw that never happens again. brian fitzpatrick, -- in a premeditated move, a happy new year t-shirt under its jersey. i know it's harmless, but it is against the rule. a fine is likely. tom brady decided to show up.

5,000 yards passing for the season as tom brady -- 21-14. a record for receiving yards for a tight end. 49 unanswered for the past. rumbling around, charles clay hangs on. miami with the lead. the much beleaguered quarterback, down six. he goes the other way before finally being tackled. we saw the final score there.

jets missed the playoffs for the first time under rex ryan. tennessee loving good jets. the fourth quarter and -- 23 yards to nate washington. the titans take the lead. 15 seconds left -- it touched down. johnson makes it 23-22. houston goes for two and the game ends with the titans winning. they need a bengals lost to make the playoffs and built raven's lead in the third quarter. will have a check on the forecast right after this.

>> the ravens are ok. >> up 17-10. they hold on, they will buy the week off and have a home game here in two weeks. we will have all of that tonight following sunday night football. >> and the weather in two weeks? >> just look at the next couple days. 42 and the showers will taper off and big snow in the mountains over the next couple days. windy and cold tuesday and

wednesday, starting to warm up at the end of the week. all lot of those temperatures will be closer to normal and it's going to feel cold. the wind over the next few days will make it really warm-up. >> the wind chill factor will return. >> thank you. that's it for us. nbc nightly news is next. we will see you back here tonight at 11:00. roughly. after football.