RK ARCHIVE - Cigarettes Bad. Firefighters Good.

Some of those firefighters are lucky to be alive. The roof, including a large brick chimney, collapsed while men were inside making sure no one was left in the building. I couldn't get within 30 yds. of that building within out flinching from the intense heat. These men ran head first into it, for people they never even knew existed 20 minutes earlier.

The Red Cross was on hand to offer us a hotel room for the next few days, but I opted to crash with family for the next few days while I decide what to do next. My thanks regardless.

I was really impressed by the reaction of those whose belongings were destroyed. They could have easily broke down, but instead were just really happy to be alive.

Special shout out to citizen/journalist Clint Novak, who took the initiative to document what was going on and sent his footage to the Free Lance Star. Very 21st century. Very American.

Comments

Fire-Safe Cigarettes (ortcutt - 4/25/2007 12:21:13 AM)

There is something that might have helped prevent this, fire-safe cigarettes. "Fire-safe" cigarettes, or low ignition propensity cigarettes have speed bumps which cause an unattended cigarette to go out. This greatly diminishes the risk of fire. Smokers cannot tell the difference between an old-fashioned dangerous cigarette and a low ignition-propensity one when smoking normally. Every firefighting group under the sun has begged and pleaded for years for tobacco companies to make only fire-safe cigarettes. Three states, California, New York, and Vermont (plus all of Canada) currenly require that all cigarettes be fire-safe. Six more states (including Kentucky) have passed legislation which will do the same.

The Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes

What is a fire-safe cigarette?

The Smoking-Material Fire Problem

Myths vs. Realities

700-900 people die every year from fires started by lighted smoking materials. Mandating that all cigarettes be fire-safe has the potential to significantly reduce that number.

do you mind (blue south - 4/25/2007 12:45:28 AM)

posting something about this over at BlueNC (bluenc.com)? There was talk of a smoking ban in the NC state legislature, but it doesnt look like it will end up happening.

This seems like a much better idea.

On smoking bans or fire-safe cigarettes? (ortcutt - 4/25/2007 1:05:04 AM)

Although I have written on both topics, it's good to keep the issues separate. Fire-safe cigarettes are an easier sell because the impact on smokers is zero, and I don't want smokers to get the impression that fire-safe cigarettes have anything to do with smoking bans.

Cigarette fire safety is an issue that had been around for decades without anybody doing anything about it until New York State mandated fire-safe cigarettes in 2003. There seems to be something of a groundswell now to actually make progress on the issue. With legions of firefighters and medical groups behind the initiative, I hope it does get attention in state legislatures.

History of Fire-Safe Cigarettes

Thanks (Chris Guy - 4/25/2007 9:48:11 AM)

Seems almost insignificant compared to other things going on in the commonwealth and in the world. As far as I know everyone in the building is doing ok and are getting the help and assistance they need. Really I feel lucky and a little stressed more than anything.

That's terrible (Catzmaw - 4/25/2007 10:14:48 AM)

You never know when something like that's going to hit, but to have it be because someone was careless with a cigarette? Oy.

Thankfully no one was hurt. That's the most important thing.