Update 2X: Edgewater Fire, People Trapped

Edgewater, Chicago, 3:30 PM - Four story building, extra alarm fire, 1000 block of W. Hollywood. Update from Chicago Sun-Times... An extra-alarm fire at an Edgewater neighborhood apartment building Monday afternoon left 13 people injured. The fire was in a four-plus-one style apartment building, the type where four stories of apartments are above one level of parking. There were reports of multiple people trapped in the building, and several rescues were made. The fire was reportedly on the first floor, with exposure to the second floor, according to unconfirmed reports. It took just over an hour for firefighters to ensure that the blaze was completely extinguished. FULL STORY at CHICAGO SUN-TIMES... Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Cool Stuff...

VIDEO: DANGER ON CTA TRAINS

Hat tip to The Sixth Ward. A CBS-2 video:

Morse Avenue Obstacle Scape

As if the gravel pile down the street isn't bad enough, the 49th Ward Alderman is now allowing a very dangerous sidewalk situation to drag on and on.

The gravel pile has been in the way of handicapped and elderly for nearly a year. This sidewalk in the 1400 block of W. Morse Avenue has very deep and jagged holes that a blind person, drunk person, or anybody who is distracted could badly hurt themselves in. It's in front of the new condo project where the Top Hat Lounge used to be.

If Joe Moore would get over to Morse Avenue in between times that he's campaigning - in other words, more than every few years - he might be aware of these things. The developer, the contractor and the alderman should all be ashamed of this.

Joe Moore, Traffic Signal Whore

Danger on the Sidewalks

A neighbor and faithful reader of The Bench is rightly concerned about the idiots who ride their bikes like crazy people along the sidewalks, specifically along N. Sheridan Road. I share the reader's concern, but fear that nothing can be done short of draconian measures. Bench: Your attention is requested to address the dire danger of bicycling scofflaws on the sidewalks of Sheridan Road in Rogers Park. See, especially, the extremely prominent signs on every corner of every cross-street directing bicyclists NOT TO RIDE ON THE SIDEWALK BUT TO WALK THEIR BIKES. I would very much like to avoid committing manslaughter - these doofuses make it really difficult. I feel your pain, dear reader, I really do. But I've had a video posted for a year now showing how dangerous the intersection of N. Greenview and W. Pratt is, and the Powers That Be have not responded to it. What makes you think they would respond to little ol' me demanding that something be done about cycling scofflaws? The law was changed within the past 18 months so that it is illegal for anybody over 13 years of age to ride their bike on a sidewalk. Ironically, that just makes it worse. Adults who ride their bikes on the sidewalk tend to be far more careful than kids, who often rip along at high speed without concern for the person who may unexpectedly walk out of a doorway and into their path. The law essentially legitimized that by specifically exempting irresponsible kids. Best to just poke your head out, look both ways, then enter the fast lane of the sidewalk. My suggestion to you, dear reader, is to take a hint from an old World War II movie starring Steve McQueen movie that I recall. McQueen and his band of soldiers strung thin wire from tree to tree, across the roadways, to decapitate the Nazi soldiers who were chasing them on motorcycles. The effect was swift and had the immediate effect of making the road much safer for pedestrians. You can pick up thin wire at any good hardware store. You might consider demanding speed bumps for the sidewalks in your neighborhood. Alderman Joe Moore of the 49th Ward is known to love speed bumps, and would probably respond favorably to your request for speed bumps to be placed along the sidewalks along N. Sheridan Road.

Children's Gas

Thanks to Marcy, who wrote the following on the CAPS 2411 Yahoo! chat site. Was People's Gas acting irresponsibly? Fri, 27 Jul 2007, 16:34 This relates to at least two 911 calls, though I believe there were more made. I was told this was not an emergency - even though the venting gas could pose problems for those in the area. I dropped my son at Chippewa Park this a.m. for camp. The field stank of gas and [a park employee] said her kitchen area smelled also. She called 911. I then walked over to Park Plaza and that area also smelled of gas. So I called 911. Two fire trucks came and perhaps went to Chippewa (I was still at Park Plaza); they were parked on Pratt and Sacramento. They left relatively quickly. I contacted the supervisor at the fire department who told me the gas company was venting gas so they could work on some of the lines. They were doing this between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Approximately 100 children are signed up for camp at Chippewa and I don’t think People's Gas showed any concern for the neighbors here. Luckily the children were going on a field trip and left relatively soon. I was told by the fire department that there was little concern in the event that someone lit a cigarette outside. I was also told that if anyone felt sick, nauseous or faint they would send help. Well I have an issue with the possibility that 100 children and staff could have been out there for the day and People's Gas chose a pathetic time to do their venting, especially on a humid day where the air wasn't clearing quickly. If they are working in the area they would see campers out there daily between 10 and 3. Normally without high humidity the air "should" clear more quickly. I also called the gas company and registered a complaint. I asked if they normally notify people in the area of this type of venting and they said they normally do if it is not an emergency. I asked if this venting today was an emergency and they said it was not listed that way. I also called Bernie Stone's office and spoke to Alex, who said he would call the gas company and ask them "to be more proactive." The venting took place between Touhy and Kedzie and Sacramento and McCormick. If this caused concern for anyone else in the area I suggest contacting People's Gas and registering a complaint.