Huge fire claiming 1 life, across the street from my apt house...

[tinysmagic]

Posted: 1/5/14 at 9:24pm

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/critically-injured-massive-fire-midtown-manhattan-high-rise-article-1.1566819

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/6/14 at 8:03am

Very sad. Daniel James McClung was a 27-year-old playwright and his husband Michael Todd Cohen is still in serious condition.

[BudFrump23]

Posted: 1/6/14 at 12:05pm

I hate hate HATE this sentence:

“This is a fireproof building and in the case of a fire – in most instances – it is safer to stay put in your apartment and wait for directions from the fire department or building services,” FDNY spokesman James Long said.

It's almost as if they're putting the blame on this poor man and his husband. I have friends who live in buildings such as these and they have NEVER been told to stay inside during a fire.

[Addison D.]

Posted: 1/6/14 at 2:01pm

I don't think "blame" has any place here--it is sad that someone lost their life, full stop.

On a very closely related topic, however, it IS true that modern, "fireproof" construction methods call for the creation of 2-hour fire-proof partitions with 90-minute, fireproof doors in between individual apartments and between apartments and public spaces. This means that the walls will prevent fire from moving between apartments--or from an apartment to the hallway--for 2 hours.

In theory, that 2 hours is enough time for a fire to be put out or for the FD to arrive and provide direction to tenants. Thus, it really is usually the best bet to stay put, assuming you know that your building is of 'fireproof' construction.

Remaining put can seem highly counter-intuitive, though.

My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of the young man who died.

Updated On: 1/6/14 at 02:01 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/6/14 at 2:12pm

This is just so tragic.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/7/14 at 11:54pm

Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking.

On one of the fundraising links, it was shared that the 'survivor' of the couple is in very critical condition - in the ICU, and in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber.

And their two dogs died in the fire, also.

It's unimaginable.
I am truly keeping this family in my prayers.

Updated On: 1/7/14 at 11:54 PM

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/7/14 at 11:55pm

BWW article.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/7/14 at 11:57pm

Link to Fundraising site. To help with the mounting hospital bills and medical expenses.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 12:02am

From the updates posted by his friend on the Fundraising site:

"I wanted to post an update of Michael's progress as he is still in the hospital. He was having hyperbaric oxygen chamber sessions but received his final one yesterday. He is currently heavily sedated and the hospital is doing minor procedures to help clear his lungs. This will continue for at least another 48 hours.

The hospital staff is taking wonderful care of him and he gets his favorite music played to him in his room. Since he is in the ICU, he can't currently receive gifts or visitors though he does have a few close friends watching after him (who are the ones sharing updates). He is surrounded by love."


The only words that continue to come to me are: heartbreaking. Tragic and heartbreaking.

Updated On: 1/8/14 at 12:02 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 1:31pm

I believe the amount raised on that fundraising site has mushroomed beyond anyone's expectations. There's something so unbearably sad about a newlywed couple becoming victims to someone else's fire. And donating money through a crowdsourcing website is so simple. You know your money can't replace the loss of a loved one, but it makes you feel a little less helpless to give. Then you look at the total and you realize just how many people have felt equally helpless and pressed send.

1200 people so far. $48,504

As for their getting stuck in the stairway, I remember back in 1998, there was a high-rise fire on the Upper West Side that was caused by Macaualay Culkin's mother.

Four people died in a smoke-filled stairway in that fire, including a woman I worked with, a beautiful and brilliant woman. She was 38.

Updated On: 1/8/14 at 01:31 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 2:13pm

There are no words. Were they the only ones stuck in that stairwell? To think this wouldn't have happened if the person discovering the fire in their place SHUT the door instead of leaving it open. So, so sad.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 2:27pm

Dottie, I believe they were the only ones above that 27th floor that attempted to escape through the stairwell. Every other tenant above the 27th floor stayed in their apartments. From what I understand. I could be wrong.

Not that I'm looking to place blame, as this is tragic no matter how you slice it, but I will be curious about the details prior to their attempted escape. Did someone tell them to leave? Did they just do it on their own and disregard instruction? No one else did what they did, so it's odd. I cannot even begin to imagine what I would have done in their shoes. Your natural instinct is to flee... but logic and reason might tell you to stay, depending on the circumstances.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 2:43pm

I'm sorry, but didn't they tell people in the Twin Towers to stay in place as well, on 9/11?

I can totally understand why they took the stairs. They were new to the building and that would have been my first reaction as well.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 2:44pm

In our high-rise office building, we have regular fire drills, mandated by law and conducted by current or retired Fire Department employees. We are instructed to shut the door to an office if there is a fire condition, to feel the staircase doors to see if they are hot, and to go to designated reentry floors.

But high-rise apartment buildings are not required to have similar drills.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 3:06pm

This petition calls on the New York City Council and mayor Bill de Blasio to introduce & sign a bill requiring ALL residential high-rise buildings in New York City to install a public address system in emergency stairwells so that FDNY and building management can communicate life-saving information in an emergency situation.
New York City Council and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio:

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 3:13pm

I think that is a great idea and I'm surprised something was not already in place for high-rise buildings (residential in particular).

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 3:41pm

I think it's an excellent - and absolutely necessary - requirement.

As PalJoey said, we are drilled in our high-rise office buildings. In great detail. In my office everyone takes it seriously, including actual walks down the staircases, so that we are familiar with the route in the event of an emergency.

I've never had a drill or any information in my apartment building. I think I'll make it a point to take a walk down both of the internal staircases (I live in a 17-story elevator building) to see where they lead. I'm familiar with one that opens to the lobby (which I've used when there have been power failures), but I've never set foot in the other.

I don't live in fear, but you can't take emergency preparedness for granted.

PJ, I remember that fire. I'm so sorry you knew someone who died. Unspeakable tragedies.

Updated On: 1/8/14 at 03:41 PM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 3:55pm

From the change.org petition, Michael's brother comments:

Daniel was my brother in law. Michael my brother. I know the facts of this case and a communication breakdown was a major part of the problem. The details continue to come in. But they got caught in the "attack" stairwell. A communications system would have saved them !

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 4:32pm

Tragic.

[Addison D.]

Posted: 1/8/14 at 4:44pm

Please note that the cause of the fire at the Strand appears to have been an over-loaded outlet strip.

Just because you can purchase an unlimited number of extension cords and multiple-outlet devices DOES NOT mean that it is safe to do so. Extension cords are meant to be a temporary tool--you are using a power tool and there is not a convenience receptacle available near-by. They are NOT meant to have multiple devices plugged into them on a permanent basis. Really. And they are NOT meant to be tucked under carpets and rugs. Really. Don't do it.

Also--have fire extinguishers in your home. As you can see on the chart, above, there are different types for different kinds of fire.

The extinguisher in your Kitchen needs to be effective on hot oil.

The extinguisher in in your bedroom needs to be effective....well--I make no assumptions. Read the chart and get the right device.

If you bought a fire extinguisher when you moved in--5 years ago--and it is coated in dust, it is very possibly going to be useless if you need it. The seals go bad and the powders settle and ossify.

You should get a new fire extinguisher every year. Really. You're going to "save" a few bucks on life/safety??

Updated On: 1/8/14 at 04:44 PM