PoP, i’m curious why the original post on the fire [with dozens of comments] was removed. Server problem or did someone object to the post/comments?

I live in an apartment’d townhouse directly behind this building and was outside on the fire escape when the fire started and the smoke started creeping into the alley between the buildings..

As soon as it became apparent that it wasn’t a bbq or a planned fire, a neighbor was running toward the house and yelling to someone who was apparently still inside. I yelled to her asking what was going on because the trees and smoke cut out my view to assess the situation. She called back to call 9-1-1 immediately and that it seemed like someone was inside and screaming. From the fire escape I called 9-1-1 and the dispatcher informed me local firefighters were already in route. Firefighters reached behind the building within five minutes, but the old building still crumbled soon after they started to hose the fire.

I’m happy to hear that no one was hurt in the blaze, but I read somewhere that the building was uninhabited, which is definitely not true. Although the building was condemned and clearly not fit for anyone to live in, lights inside lit at night along with tapestry were evidence of squatters. That being said, I suspect someone squatting in the building encountered an accident that resulted in the fire. Truth to be told, my roommates and I often commented that the building was not long for this world and would fall soon if nothing was done to restore it.

Regardless whether the fire was an accident or not and that no one was injured, I want to applaud the good samaritan who realized the fire and sprang into action to help our community.