MASSIVE Abandoplex Fire - Thomas Buck Hosiery

**ArcticSplash** · 04-09-2012, 07:44 AM

I investigated this property 6 months ago working with neighborhood folks to drown 3-1-1 in complaints to get this factory re-sealed.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...2WE9GQWc#gid=6

Now Philadelphia Taxpayers, you get to pick up all that PFD overtime AND you probably also are gonna have to pay the $250K+ to demolish what's left of the structure since all that is left are the brick walls, and they were unstable back when I raised my original complaint.

5-Alarm Factory Fire in Kensington | NBC 10 Philadelphia

2 firefighters killed in Kensington warehouse inferno | 6abc.com

5-alarm fire destroys warehouse, 2 firefighters hurt

**Gladys** · 04-09-2012, 07:47 AM

2 firefighters killed in Kensington warehouse inferno | 6abc.com

This is horrible! Since the city was made aware of the problem wouldn't they be liable for these deaths?

**lemko** · 04-09-2012, 08:12 AM

Condolences to the families of the two firefighters.

**ArcticSplash** · 04-09-2012, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Gladys

2 firefighters killed in Kensington warehouse inferno | 6abc.com

This is horrible! Since the city was made aware of the problem woundn't they be liable for these deaths?

L&I failed to seal the complex after a campaign to storm 3-1-1 was made several months ago.

Yes I think the City of Philadelphia is liable. Absolutely.

I handed this to L&I on a platter and they PURPOSELY chose to ignore it.

**thesomersteam** · 04-09-2012, 08:31 AM

Very sad and senseless. My prayers go out to the firefighters and their families.

**Gladys** · 04-09-2012, 08:33 AM

* Weather Forecasts | Maps | News - Yahoo! Weather

"IMPACTS...THE FIRE DANGER WILL BE ELEVATED DUE TO THE GUSTY
WINDS AND DRY CONDITIONS. AS A RESULT...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR
RAPID SPREAD IF UNCONTROLLED FIRES DEVELOP OR EVEN FOR
PRESCRIBED BURNS TO GET OUT OF CONTROL. OUTDOOR BURNING IS NOT
RECOMMENDED."

It was a perfect storm of neglect and weather. Unless someone thinks it was arson.

**O.H. Lee** · 04-09-2012, 08:50 AM

Fires don't start themselves in abandoned buildings.

**NJbound** · 04-09-2012, 09:00 AM

so very sad... Firefighters losing their lives fighting abandon building fires is un excusable..

**The Truth Hurts** · 04-09-2012, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

L&I failed to seal the complex after a campaign to storm 3-1-1 was made several months ago.

Yes I think the City of Philadelphia is liable. Absolutely.

I handed this to L&I on a platter and they PURPOSELY chose to ignore it.

And nobody from L&I will be held accountable for this tragedy.

**thesomersteam** · 04-09-2012, 09:37 AM

Just posted this on Facebook and linked to this thread:

A couple of thoughts on the East Kensington fire this morning: (1) Expect a HUGE outcry against the City of Philadelphia and L&I for not responding to numerous complaints about squatters and safety issues (2) The owner has to take responsibility as well for not sealing up the property (3) if there are unpaid taxes (which there probably is), why is the City procrastinating having these properties being sold at Tax Auctions ? (4) it is inexcusable, sad, senseless and pointless that Firefighters have lost their lives over an abandoned building. Conversations and outlash are already to starting to happen on boards such as Philadelphia Speaks.

~ Chris

Security Check Required | Facebook

**lemko** · 04-09-2012, 10:03 AM

Don't forget about the owners of this blighted property - if they can be found!

**ArcticSplash** · 04-09-2012, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by lemko

Don't forget about the owners of this blighted property - if they can be found!

I already located them 6 months ago. I know where their home is in Brooklyn and I found their offices. Months ago. Also have a list of all the renters they ever evicted and all the other properties they own throughout Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia has always known all of this information, because that's how I found most of it: through public records.

I also have documented 3-1-1 tickets closed as unfounded. I also complained that the building was in danger of structural collapse and that satellite photos already showed a partial roof collapse. Brick dust on the pavement which is a sign that the walls are shifting.

What did the City do? NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING.

**ArcticSplash** · 04-09-2012, 10:12 AM

**RashadZak** · 04-09-2012, 10:13 AM

According to the Office of Property Assessment, 1817 East York was purchased by “York Street Property Development,” one of a number of LLCs used by the Lichtensteins while acquiring property in the city. The listed mailing address corresponds to the law offices of Walder and Zaslow in Langhorne, PA, a firm that represents them in real estate matters.

Buried behind LLCs, Lichtenstein’s primary contact number is only listed on court documents. It leads to the offices of Hamodia, a non-profit, daily Jewish newspaper in Brooklyn, where YML Holdings is apparently headquartered.

Passing the Buck | Hidden City Philadelphia

Same people that own one of the big blighted buildings on 700 market. Ugh.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 04-09-2012, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by RashadZak

Passing the Buck | Hidden City Philadelphia

Same people that own one of the big blighted buildings on 700 market. Ugh.

Oh great, those azzwipes. Sue the phucquers.

**MariusPontmercy** · 04-09-2012, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

I already located them 6 months ago. I know where their home is in Brooklyn and I found their offices. Months ago. Also have a list of all the renters they ever evicted and all the other properties they own throughout Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia has always known all of this information, because that's how I found most of it: through public records.

I also have documented 3-1-1 tickets closed as unfounded. I also complained that the building was in danger of structural collapse and that satellite photos already showed a partial roof collapse. Brick dust on the pavement which is a sign that the walls are shifting.

What did the City do? NOTHING NOTHING NOTHING.

When I heard this on the radio I wondered if it was the same place... you have the proof that L&I was informed. This information needs to be made known. L&I needs to be held culpable because they clearly failed to do what they're supposed to.

**MariusPontmercy** · 04-09-2012, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

Looks like Richmond, VA after the Union army burned it to the ground... or London after the Blitz.

**Debbie1125** · 04-09-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Hospitalitygirl

Oh great, those azzwipes. Sue the phucquers.

And the city should also have their asses sued.

What a terrible tragedy. 2 firefighers are dead and several injured because of inaction by L&I. Shame on these sorry SOBs,

**CrazyIvan** · 04-09-2012, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Debbie1125

And the city should also have their asses sued.

Absolutely. It's disgusting to think that 2 firefighters are dead because of bureaucratic ineptitude.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 04-09-2012, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Debbie1125

And the city should also have their asses sued.

What a terrible tragedy. 2 firefighers are dead and several injured because of inaction by L&I. Shame on these sorry SOBs,

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

Absolutely. It's disgusting to think that 2 firefighters are dead because of bureaucratic ineptitude.

Time to follow the money trail?