3-alarm fire destroys the Famsa Furniture store on Chicago's Northwest Side; remaining building to be demolished

A furniture and electronics store was destroyed by fire Thursday morning on Chicago's Northwest Side.

By Will Jones and Laura Podesta
Thursday, June 01, 2017 06:29PM
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A furniture and electronics store was destroyed by fire Thursday morning on Chicago's Northwest Side.










Firefighters responded around 7:40 a.m. to a report of a fire at Famsa Furniture in the 2900-block of North Milwaukee. Flames were through the roof. The fire was upgraded to a two-alarm around 7:45 a.m. and to a three-alarm around 8:40 a.m., officials said.

About 150 firefighters battled the blaze in defensive mode, attacking the flames from the outside. Chopper 7HD was over the scene around 7:55 a.m. Heavy smoke was billowing from the structure. The roof collapsed just after 8:55 a.m.

Stephen Kaplan, who lives nearby, said the smoke was so thick it woke them up.

"There's a crack in my window, so it was just coming in. It seemed pretty bad until we looked out and put our heads out the window as saw what was happening next door," Kaplan said.

North Milwaukee Avenue was closed between North Kimball and Central Park avenues for several hours during the firefight.

"Upon entry in the building they detected a heavy presence of smoke throughout the first floor so as they were dropping lines to try to make an interior attack with their thermal imaging they were picking up very high heat signatures in the ceilings above them," said Assistant Deputy Fire Commissioner Timothy Sampey, Chicago Fire Department.

That's when the battalion chief ordered all of the firefighters out of the building for their safety, switching their focus to attacking this fire from the outside.

"It is a stubborn fire. It is a furniture store so you have a lot furniture in the basement. You have a lot of furniture on the first floor and the second floor with limited access to the second floor," Sampey said.

It took about three hours and 150 firefighters to put the fire out.

"The building is pretty much a total loss. It's an imminent danger of collapse. The front faade could come down at any time," Department of Buildings Commissioner Judy Frydland said.

Jose Avila is the manager of the store. He told us in Spanish he got the call around 8 a.m. that the store was on fire. At first he thought it was minor. Now, seeing it up close, he is devastated along with those who have shopped at this

"It was a pretty nice store. They give you decent prices and they treated you nice," said Harry Morrow, a customer.

Investigators said it's not clear how the fire started. They said the doors to the store were locked at the end of the night Wednesday and firefighters had to force their way inside because the doors were still locked Thursday morning.

No one was injured. The store was closed when the fire started. Firefighters said no one was inside.

The store is part of a chain. All six employees who work at the store will be relocated - they will not lose their jobs.

The building will be demolished as soon as possible due to fears that it could collapse.

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CHICAGO, IL -- A spectacular extra-alarm fire at a Logan Square furniture store sent smoke pouring into the air as firefighters battled the flames for hours. No one was injured.

The smoke from the fire was visible from O'Hare Airport and from much of the South Side. It took firefighters more than three hours to strike it, working most of the time in defensive mode.

The fire started just before 8:00 this morning in the Famsa Furniture Store in the 2900 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Central Park Avenue in Logan Square.

No one was inside the building when the fire started. The store, which sells appliances and electronics in addition to furniture, was not yet open.

Police received an alert that the alarm in the building went off this morning. It was a motion detector.

When police arrived they found smoke and called the Fire Department. It was quickly elevated to a 3-alarm fire.

Fire officials say first responders had a huge task.

The building is now a total loss. Building Department officials say it is in danger of coming down, collapsing at any time. A facade is being erected as soon as possible because the only things holding it up right now are buildings on either side.

This stretch of Milwaukee Avenue will be closed today. The power is out and businesses there are hurting.

Drivers are urged to avoid this area around Logan Square, particularly this stretch of Milwuakee.

No cause for the fire is known at this time.

In light of news of the 400 songbirds that crashed into Galveston's tallest building and died, there is a relatively easy and harmless remedy - requiring tall buildings to turn off their lights during migratory bird season

Petition calls on Galveston officials to adopt ordinance to help birds during migration

Bird migration deaths have people taking action, Steven Romo reports.

By Steven Romo
Thursday, June 01, 2017 11:13PM
GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A petition is gaining steam calling on the city of Galveston to adopt an ordinance requiring buildings to keep their lights off to help birds survive migration.

In May, nearly 400 birds were found dead outside the American National Insurance building. Richards Gibbons, Houston Audubon conservation director, said they were likely disoriented by the building's lights, though that concentration of birds is highly unusual.

"Many people don't know. There are hundreds of thousands some nights, passing over while we're asleep, especially in April," Gibbons said.

He said hundreds of bird species migrate at night and rough weather can force them closer to the ground.

"When that happens, they run into obstacles," Gibbons said.

The incident last month was extreme, with 395 songbirds of different types found dead at One Moody Plaza.

Hundreds of dead birds discovered in Galveston



The migratory birds were found after they flew into the American National building.

Gibbons said a possible, partial solution is turning off bright building lights above 50 feet, because they interfere with birds' navigation.

"It is counter-intuitive, but birds, because of their instinctual wiring, are attracted to light during their nighttime migrations," he said.

More than 25,000 people agree that buildings should shut out the lights to help birds, signing a petition to make it a city ordinance.

A city representative said that's not likely to happen. The American National Insurance building is voluntarily turning its lights off and the city believes its the only building that poses a risk to birds.

Still, Gibbons said it's encouraging to see so many concerned about wildlife.

"I think it sends a signal to our business leaders that we'd like communities that are friendlier to wildlife," he said.

Galveston, Texas: No More Crash landings for America's Songbirds

• by: Andrew M
• target: James D. Yarbrough, Mayor of Galveston

25,266 SUPPORTERS

30,000 GOAL

Nearly 400 of some of America's most beautiful migratory birds met their end when they crashed into the 23-story American National Insurance building in the city of Galveston, Texas. These birds were heading north to their nesting grounds but this year there will be far fewer songbirds for us to enjoy.

Experts believe strong winds could have blown the birds of their normal migratory course and the bright lights of the tall building were mistaken for moonlight or the sun, luring them to a tragic end.

The easiest and most responsible way to ensure tragedies like these don't happen again are to require office buildings to turn off their lights at night especially during migration season. This method is both effective and saves energy.

I believe it's time that cities like Galveston that lie in the flight path of migratory birds, take their well-being into consideration and take measures to ensure these birds make it to their nesting grounds so we can all enjoy their beautiful colors and songs.

Join me and ask James D. Yarbrough, Mayor of Galveston, TX to require buildings in Galveston to turn off their lights
during migratory bird season.

Dear Mayor Yarbrough; 

In light of news of the 400 songbirds that crashed into Galveston's tallest building and died I would ask you and your city to take action to make sure nothing like this happens again. 

Experts say there is a relatively easy and harmless remedy - requiring tall buildings to turn off their lights during migratory bird season. Please make the responsible choice and pass an ordenance in Galveston to do just that, setting an example for other city governments that lie in our migratory birds' flight paths. It's simple, easy, good for wildlife and the environment and can make a big difference. [Your comments here] 

Sincerely,

The Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, Wisconsin that exploded late Wednesday night and killed at least 1 worker, was reprimanded by federal safety inspectors six years ago for not taking precautions against dust explosions, which are a major hazard in handling grain

The Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, Wisconsin  that exploded late Wednesday night and killed at least 1 worker, was reprimanded by federal safety inspectors six years ago for not taking precautions against dust explosions, which are a major hazard in handling grain, records show.

The blast at the Didion Milling Plant in Cambria, a rural village about 45 miles (72.42 kilometers) northeast of Madison, left at least one person dead. Emergency workers were still searching for two employees as of Thursday afternoon. Nearly a dozen other employees were taken to area hospitals. None of the workers have been identified.

The cause of the blast remained unknown as of Thursday afternoon, Didion officials said. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigators were on the scene.

"The safety and security of our employees is our top priority," Didion Vice President of Operations Derrick Clark said in a news release. "Over the past 44 years, the Didion team has grown to be a close-knit family, and we ask for your prayers during this difficult time."

The plant processes corn for ethanol and other uses. A review of online OSHA records shows the plant was cited in January 2011 for exposing its workers to dust explosion hazards. The records state that plant filters lacked an explosion protective system.

The agency ordered the mill to correct the problem by April 2011. The records show Didion paid a $3,465 fine and the case was closed in September 2013. OSHA hasn't cited the plant for anything since, the records show.

Dust explosions are a serious problem in handling grain, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. There were five grain dust explosions in the United States last year and two of the incidents resulted in fatalities, Purdue University said in an annual report. Keeping facilities clean of dust and equipment in good working order to reduce the possibility of igniting the dust are critical to preventing explosions, the report said.

Dust explosions can occur when high concentrations of dust particles are suspended in the air in a confined space during grain handling and a spark from something like a cigarette butt ignites it, according to the USDA's website.

Emails sent to several Didion officials Thursday and a voicemail left for Vice President of Sales Jeff Dillon weren't immediately returned. A note posted on the company's website said the company would be closed until further notice.

Nearly two dozen fire departments and four police departments responded.

Cambria Village President Glen Williams said the fire was contained by early Thursday and there were no evacuations in the area. Schools in the Cambria-Friesland district closed Thursday because of the incident.

The district houses early childhood through 12th grade in one building about an eighth of a mile from the plant, Superintendent Timothy Raymond said. School officials wanted to be sure the danger was over on Thursday, he said. Classes were set to resume on Friday.

The number of employees inside the building during the explosion fluctuated through the day Thursday.

Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards initially said 16 people were in the plant. Village of Cambria officials later said 17 were inside before revising the number back to 16.

In addition to the fatality, two other plant employees were treated and released. Eleven more were taken to area hospitals via ambulance and helicopter. Recovery crews were still searching a mountain of debris Thursday for the two missing workers.

Cambria is a community of about 770 people. Wiliams, the village president, said the plant is an economic anchor for the entire area. Raymond, the schools superintendent, said his district plans to have counselors on hand when students return Friday.

"Quite a few of the employees live in the village and surrounding area. So it's going to affect the whole area. Not just the shock of the event, but the economic hardship to the families," Williams said.

OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said personnel from the federal agency were on the scene Thursday to begin an investigation. The agency has six months to complete its work.

The company employs more than 200 people. It has offices and a soybean plant in Jefferson County to the southwest, the mill and an ethanol plant in Cambria and an oil packaging plant in Green Lake County to the north, according to the company website.

Brothers John and Dow Didion began Didion Milling in 1972 and construction on the Cambria corn mill was completed in 1991, according to the website. The company's corn products are used in brewing beer as well as in making chips, breakfast cereals, bathroom moldings, steel and ethanol.

Five firefighters were injured as a staircase collapsed and flames ripped through a White Plains home in New York

Five firefighters were injured as a staircase collapsed and flames ripped through a White Plains home early Wednesday.

A family escaped their home on Milford Drive before a fire left the two-story house significantly damaged around 4 a.m., White Plains Fire Chief Richard Lyman said. The family had recently upgraded their fire alarm system, which alerted a dispatcher to the fire at 3:47 a.m., he said.

The family safely fled the home before firefighters arrived. About 20 firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in the basement and made its way to the first and second floors, Lyman said.

“The company did a great job of knocking it down on the first story,” he said.

Firefighters made their way to the basement stairway in the back of the house, and one firefighter was injured as the stairs collapsed, Lyman said. That firefighter was helped out of the debris, and the blaze was under control in about 30 minutes, he said.

“They did a fantastic job,” Lyman said. “I’m very proud of the guys.”

Five firefighters ended up being treated at White Plains Hospital for various injuries, including burns, smoke inhalation, and shoulder, neck and back pain, Lyman said.

The house had significant smoke and fire damage, he said.

“It’s going to need quite a bit of renovation. It’s going to need quite a bit of work,” he said.

Lyman said the fire is under investigation, so he could not comment yet on whether it is suspicious or what may have caused it.

“We don’t rule anything out,” he said.

American Medical Response Paramedics Lahiri Garcia, 51, and Paul Besaw, 36, died in a vehicle crash after a red car made a U-turn, hitting the ambulance that was traveling west in Jupiter, Florida

Paul Besaw

Paul Besaw

It’s with deep regret that we pass on to you that Paramedics Lahiri Garcia, 51, and Paul Besaw, 36, died in a vehicle crash at Indiantown and Philadelphia Drive just west of Military Trail (Jupiter area of Palm Beach County).

PM’s Garcia and Besaw worked for American Medical Response. PM Garcia was a critical care supervisor and PM Besaw was a critical care paramedic and supervisor.

A third person was injured in the crash and taken to a trauma center. It was not immediately clear if the person was aboard the ambulance or drove the red convertible that crashed into it.

Witnesses said the crash occurred when that red car made a U-turn, hitting the ambulance that was traveling west. The ambulance was returning to quarters from a transport. Both Paramedics leave behind spouses and families.

Our condolences to all those affected. Rest In Peace.



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LODD: 2 Fla. paramedics killed in ambulance rollover crash
A car pulled in front of the AMR ambulance; the crash is under investigation

Duty Death: Lahiri Garcia and Paul Besaw - [Jupiter, Florida]

End of Service: 06/01/2017


By EMS1 Staff

JUPITER, Fla. — Two paramedics were killed in an ambulance crash Thursday morning.

WPBF.com reported that a car pulled in front of the American Medical Response ambulance; the rig tried to avoid the crash, causing it to rollover. The ambulance did not have its lights and sirens activated. There were no patients on board at the time of the incident.


The driver of the car was injured and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Lahiri Garcia, 51, and critical care paramedic and supervisor, Paul Besaw, 36, died in the crash.

"Lahiri and Paul were both devoted husbands and fathers," AMR wrote on Facebook. "They dedicated their lives to caring for others. They were skilled, compassionate and fearless employees who embodied all of the qualities of an exemplary EMS provider."

The crash is under investigation. We will update you once more information becomes available.





Our hearts are heavy as tragedy has struck our AMR Family in Florida. We are deeply saddened to share that our colleagues, Lahiri and Paul, died in the line of duty early this morning in a crash in Jupiter, Florida.

Lahiri and Paul were both devoted husbands and fathers. They dedicated their lives to caring for others. They were skilled, compassionate and fearless employees who embodied all of the qualities of an exemplary EMS provider.

Our thoughts go out to the families, friends and colleagues of Lahiri and Paul.