Job Corps in Flames

[thekillingwax]

Since the asbestos removal people have been in the Park View, I've driven by twice and saw people jumping the fences to get inside. I've seen carts parked around the side of Claude Nolan as well.

Personally I think it's a mix of things. I do think that a lot of the fires are arson for insurance money or just to demolish the property but it's possible that some of them are caused by accident. Back in the 80's the abandoned house next  to us burned down but that's because several crackheads occupied it and one of them even admitted that his camp stove started it. As for Dusty? I'm not losing any sleep. Sorry. Actually, I'm not sorry.

[tpot]

The loss of this structure is huge. It dominated that entire area. It may have been boarded up but it was still a beautiful structure.....now it will just be another overgrown lot......so sad....

[CityLife]

The Claude Nolan building will be next.  I have either called JSO on flagged an officer down on several instances because I have seen people going in on the Orange St side doors near the front.

Are these homeless people you are seeing?

I've been in the building twice with one of the leasing agents for the site and that is the usual the point of entry. They have had quite a bit of interest in that building, so it could just be potential users/business people.

Not unles the potential users/business people had shopping carts and were riding BMX bikes after dark.  The did seem to be of the Urban Outdoorsman variety.

That sucks to hear. Have you made any attempts to contact the owners of the building? That building is a real gem and I'd hate to see anything happen to it.

[rush2112]

Talked to a higher up on the scene and this is the story I was told. - The AC units were seen stripped a few weeks ago on the roof. People have been seen inside recently. The story goes was that they were stripping all of the copper wires from EVERYWHERE inside and starting small fires inside to burn all the plastic jackets away. They would then put out the fire with fire extinguishers on hand (that were seen in the building) Apparently the fire extinguisher ran out early before dawn and the fire got away from the idiots who were doing this. Maybe a body will be found under the rubble when all is said and done.

[iloveionia]

Blow torch and fire proof gloves.

[rush2112]

Not if you're trying to strip an "entire" 3 story building of ALL of its copper.

[iloveionia]

Just typing what I heard.
Blow torch, fire extinguishers.

[NotNow]

 

"speculative"

[acme54321]

Most of the copper thieves simply cut the rubber.  Its very easy.  Burning it would make the rubber stick to the wires after it melted.  This seems like a weird explanation.

Have you ever tried to strip a 4 foot tall pile of tangled wire?  I have a friend who works for a large electrical contractor and they take the old wire put it in a big pile and burn off of the insulation.  The rubber all burns off, and the recyclers will take it that way.

[sheclown]

I think they even fingerprint.

[Timkin]

Regardless... another Landmark goes down.    I certainly must say given the extent of the damage to the building, there was no shoring it up or saving it, sadly.

It is just a shame.  I wonder how many more will follow it

[danno]

I have been bummed all day about this.

[Timkin]

yeah me too Danno. this sucks.  I guess it could not have been prevented. 

[sheclown]

It's like hearing about the death of a distant friend.

[Mueller]

Jogged by after the fire was put out this afternoon to say goodbye to one of my favorite landmarks in Springfield.  More untapped potential gone forever.