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Apparently best thing to do in the situation is stay in your apartment, even if it might seem counter-intuitive to human "flee" instinct.
That's the recommendation, to stay in your apt. The stairwells are usually filled with black smoke and it's pitch black. But sooner of later your apt is too.
I keep a flashlight on my nightstand and if stay at a hotel it follows.
Last edited by Northwindsforever; 01-06-2014 at 04:20 AM..
Per NYC codes most NYC large and or residential apartment buildings are to an extent fireproof.
Unless the fire is actually in your apartments and or you have been specifically instructed otherwise it is best to remain where you are until fire department arrives. Elevators will return to the lobby and remain under FDNY control until they release. Going down stairwells unless just perhaps one or two flights is very dangerous. First they often fill with smoke, second even five flights of stairs under normal conditions can take the wind out of some persons. Imagine imagine doing so when they are filled with gagging smoke and you are in a panic. Have had to several occasions to go down anywhere from 24 to 38 flights of stairs (office buildings when either a small fire or other issues took the elevators out of service), and am here to tell you even in my twenties it took the breath out of me by the tenth go around down.
Finally NYC apartment, hotels etc... are required to have fire proof doors. If there is a fire in your building but not in your apartment keep the door closed. If the fire is in your apartment and you flee CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND YOU. Otherwise smoke and the risk of fire spread throughout the building. Leaving the door open creates a draft that can make a bad situation worse.
While this is horrible, what I don't understand is, the apartment where the fire was, the tenant was not home supposedly, the christmas tree had faulty wiring. Did the tenant go out and leave the tree on? maybe to go to the corner?
Then, if the tenant was out, I'm assuming they closed and locked the door, just how did the stairwells get so filled with smoke? I can see if the door was left open, and the stairwell door was open, but if the apartment door and the stairwell door were both closed, how did the smoke get so bad in there that it killed someone.
Also, like they all say, if your apt is not on fire, stay there.....the only thing about that is that if it isn't on fire, and then you stay, then it spreads to your apt, that becomes a problem, what do you do then. I would guess that if it isn't the apartment below you, you should stay in your own apartment.
Also, when ever there is a fire below, the flames always travel to the windows above, thus the heat from the flames and the cold from the weather breaks the glass, thus igniting the apartment above.
Anyway, terrible thing to have happen.
I will never live in a high rise.
It's probably also a good idea to pack a bag while you are waiting if you can--it can be weeks or more before you are allowed back in after a fire. It also gives any potential thieves plenty of time to break in and leisurely sort through your items as well.
Apparently best thing to do in the situation is stay in your apartment, even if it might seem counter-intuitive to human "flee" instinct.
In this particular situation yes. The building was fireproofed so the fire can be contained. The smoke will still travel up through stairway though and that is why in this particular situation it was not good to leave his apartment. Not every situation should be handled like this though.
also the man that does lived on the 32nd floor, the fire was on 20, he was 12 floors above, surely the fire dept would hav been there to put it out before it reached up 12 flors.
i think obviously he made the wrong decesion to escape down, heading right towards it.
he would be alive today if he stayed in his apartment 12 floors up.
While this is horrible, what I don't understand is, the apartment where the fire was, the tenant was not home supposedly, the christmas tree had faulty wiring. Did the tenant go out and leave the tree on? maybe to go to the corner?
Then, if the tenant was out, I'm assuming they closed and locked the door, just how did the stairwells get so filled with smoke? I can see if the door was left open, and the stairwell door was open, but if the apartment door and the stairwell door were both closed, how did the smoke get so bad in there that it killed someone.
Also, like they all say, if your apt is not on fire, stay there.....the only thing about that is that if it isn't on fire, and then you stay, then it spreads to your apt, that becomes a problem, what do you do then. I would guess that if it isn't the apartment below you, you should stay in your own apartment.
Also, when ever there is a fire below, the flames always travel to the windows above, thus the heat from the flames and the cold from the weather breaks the glass, thus igniting the apartment above.
Anyway, terrible thing to have happen.
I will never live in a high rise.
The Philly One Meridian Plaza fire in the early 90's destroyed multiple floors. The fire spread thru flames shooting out from the windows. A jumping fire. Finally extinguished when the fire reached a floor equipped by sprinklers.
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