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December 22, 2009
About that fire yesterday in the footprint: a close call
Atlantic Yards Report
Just before this past Sunday's "Chains of Justice" event at Freddy's, there was a fire several doors away at 479 Dean Street. This is the residence of David Sheets, a plaintiff in the Atlantic Yards eminent domain suit.
While rumors circulated that the fire may have been suspicious, Sheets said that wasn't so. A year ago, during winter, he'd smelled what seemed like burning wood, but the problem didn't persist.
But this time the problem recurred--a hole in the flue, Sheets said--exacerbated because he'd turned the heat up in the cold. The oil boiler heated to the point where the wood in the wall began smoldering.
It ignited into a slow creeping fire. When Sternfeld returned, there were flames in the apartment. "Half of my kitchen is gone, half of my living room is gone," Sheets said, citing the hacking and hatcheting the firefighters had to do to allow the water to get through.
Still, earlier today at least, he was still expecting to stay in the apartment, with repairs on the way. And he was grateful he'd survived a very close call.
Posted by steve at December 22, 2009 7:22 AM