Tragic
 

Historic landmark destroyed.

http://www.newsday.com/mynews/ny-lijoel254124977jan25,0,4779299.story

And Billy Joels personal offices.

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/sns-celebrity-0124joel,0,759231.story

OK so heres' the really sad part not mentioned in the articles but us locals know full well that the Fire Dept is NEXT DOOR.

Scott

Re: Tragic
 

Old wood bldgs turn into an inferno very quickly. LI fires is local knowledge if needed.

Hey Ron,

I know, especially when they are filled with paints, solvents and other comustible chemicals.

But you gotta admit it's kind of ironic.

Scott

I'll "admit it's kind of ironic" to a layman. Once a fire like that gets started it's a wild beast.

fwiw, that Fire Marshal, V. McManus, is very detailed in his reports. I'm sure you could get a copy if you wanted. It would be interesting, for sure. McManus most likely knows exactly where and how it started and how hot the temps were..

In defense of the fire dept. wood frame structures, especially old ones like that which are most likely balloon framed, might as well be made of tissue paper. Fire travels through them very fast. Add in any kind of accelerant and that increases the rate of burn. Another factor is when the fire was reported and how much of the structure was already involved when it was called in.

Sorry guys, I've got a real bad head cold and my limited post seems to have given the wrong impression.

I am absolutely NOT trying to slam or poke fun at the many volunteers that give their time and risk their lives for the benefit of the community and ask for nothing in return.

I admire and respect their selflessnes and sense of giving.

In addition to saving our butts they are a constant source of charity and stability for the towns that they serve and role models for the youth.

It hit home for me. The company that I worked for started out in Oyster Bay. We eventually outgrew the town. We were so tight on space that one of the 15 locations in town that we rented was above Knobmans. Our PD guys were up there and considering the hours that they worked it's possible their lives would have been in jeapordy.

Maybe it just reinforced for me that you are never as safe as you think you are and that anything is possible.

Scott

No offense taken! We firemen are just too sensitive.:p
All kidding aside, its very easy for an outsider to question what happens at a fire, not knowing the mechanics of fire.
There is no worse feeling than having a home owner crying and screaming at the Fire Chief for not saving their home. Trust me,I know the feeling well.

Does that happen? That's absolutely nuts!

Most of the time its just out of frustration , which I can understand that.
They want to know why it took so long to get there, why couldnt you get such and such item out for them, stuff like that.
Nine times out of ten, they come back to you later and thank you for doing a great job. The home or business owner is usually appreciative of the job you do.
It's mostly the media that tears you a new *******.

Ahhh the MEDIA.....If it bleeds it leads....or maybe it should be called the blame game....