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Balloon construction rears its ugly head again in Massachusetts; same problem as in the Gloucester Lorraine building where Robert Taylor died.

By Christopher King

Okay. Lawrence to the left of you, Gloucester to the right. In Lawrence a few weeks ago, a fire "raged" through another balloon construction building and displaced 19 people and killed one just as in the Gloucester fire of 15 December, 2007 that leveled the Lorraine. Here's the new Lawrence story, in the Eagle Tribune. Thomas Joseph Madden died in 45 minutes. Here's the money quote:

Murphy said a major obstacle to overcome was the balloon frame structure that made the blaze a pesky one to knock down. "Balloon construction" is a common building technique in old houses this age. Long studs run all the way from the basement to the roof without fire breaks, funnelling fire and smoke through the walls, enabling flames to move quickly from floor to floor.

Sounds just like what Robert Taylor went through before he died, and others who barely managed to escape with their lives. Read about Robert Taylor's Law in the Gloucester Times editorial posted here.

Yah, I know.... all the cliches.

Well if the shoe fits..... Read the 22 Dec. 2007 Kristen Greco story in the Gloucester Times as quoted in the comments.

Consider tight enforcement of code the proper shoelace when it comes to balloon construction buildings all throughout Greater Boston.

Related post:"We're gonna' watch it go up like a tinderbox....."
Related corporate ethos: The Ford Pinto. Here's a short film.
Achtung! LE: The Crown Vic will kill you, too. Here's a Depo:

Question: ?Now, one of the things that is really, really clear is that if you look at the percentage ? if you look at the rate of fatalities in rear-end fire collisions, the Crown Vic is among the worst; isn't that true??

Answer: ?The data would show that, yes.?

Nationwide, at least 12 police officers have been burned to death and nine others seriously injured in Ford police cars that have erupted into infernos after rear-end collisions. Analysis shows the officers would have survived except for the fires.

Look I don't hate the police at all. I'm trying to protect the Good One's reputations, and you guys should get raises for riding in these POS cars.

Full post as published by Chris King's 1st Amendment Page on March 02, 2008 (boomark / email).