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http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=92801Fire Burns Sandy Springs Apartments Web Editor: Josh Roseman Reported By: Delores Keith Last Modified: 2/24/2007 7:22:06 PM Sandy Springs fire crews worked to put out a three-alarm fire at the Lexington Glen Apartments on Saturday afternoon. After being on the scene for more than two hours -- the fire started just before 4 p.m. -- crews were able to knock down the fire, which destroyed between 16 and 20 apartments in a four-story, 64-unit building. Depending upon the power situation, all residents faced possibly spending the night away from home until power could be restored. The fire marshall reported that no one was hurt in the blaze. "I just honestly hope that no one was inside, because i just think that i almost didn't get out," said Brandy Harmon, one of the victims of the fire. "I ran outside and the second and third floor was just engulfed in flames," said Terrance Alexander, who lives at Lexington Glen. "I was inside and I had the vacuum going," said Debra Vaughn, another resident. "I turned the vacuum off and thought I heard a car alarm, and [when] I came outside I saw the building completely engulfed in flames." Though the fire marshal said they didn't yet know the official cause of the fire, several residents believed that it started when someone on the second floor left a barbecue grill unattended on a balcony. Since most of the Sandy Springs Fire Department was fighting this apartment fire, the fire marshall told 11Alive that crews from the City of Atlanta, Cobb County, and the Roswell Fire Department manned Sandy Springs fire stations. Seven units -- 24 firefighters -- worked to stop the apartment fire. Lexington Glen apartments requires renters to present proof of renter's insurance when they sign their leases.
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 Can you believe I was up in that? My unit was the first engine on scene of this blazing apartment fire. We spent approx 8-9 hours on scene in total, wearing that fire out. We didn't get too far inside before we were called back out due to bad fire conditions. This one took a while to put out, that was a LOT of fire. It was beautiful inside the breezeway that we were in. There was a curtain of fire rolling along the ceiling and licking up the walls. The smoke could be seen and smelt for miles. We were knocking the fire back attempting to gain access to the front apartments for a rapid search. Punched holes through the walls into those apartments for a quick look. It was hot. We couldnt advance far into the breezeway due to fire below (the building was 3 stories tall at the front side where we were, and 4 stories tall at the back, with apartments underneath the rear half of the building). We were quickly pulled out due to the situation deteriorating rapidly. When we pulled back out, we went defensive and started pouring on as much water as possible. We protected the adjoining units, making sure the fire didn't spread to the attached apartments or jump across to the next building over. I got to spend some time up in the aerial ladder above the fire operating the dual guns. THAT is a lot of fun. Luckily, the reportedly entrapped resident had escaped the fire just prior to our arrival. She jumped off her balcony (see news story below). 8-9 hours fighting a fire is a lot, and its a bit tiring. We were spent when we got back to the station at around 3am (we got the call around 5pm). We toned out a second alarm, which means there was a LOT of firefighting equipment on scene. We needed it. Our engine laid out over 600 ft of 2 1/2 inch hose, 200 ft of 5 inch supply line, and both of our 200 ft 1 3/4 inch crosslays. We ended up adding another 200 ft of 2 1/2 off of one of the Quints that were on scene, and I believe we had another 150 ft of 1 3/4 from another unit laid out. Thats a lot of hose, a lot of water and a LOT of work :) I wish I had a photo of what it looked like afterward. The whole section of the apartment that you see in that picture on fire (and a little more) ended up collapsing down to the ground. On the back side, it was 4 stories. Nothing but rubble. It was a jaw dropping sight. http://www.11alive.com/video/player.aspx?aid=65679&bw=WSBTV Channel 2 Action News has better video, but not on their website :( ( News Article here! )
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A moment of silence, please, for one of the greatest inventors of our time.
Inventor of Instant Noodles Dies at Age 96 in Japan
Saturday, January 06, 2007
TOKYO — Momofuku Ando, the Japanese inventor of instant noodles — a dish that has sustained American college students for decades — has died. He was 96.
Nissin Food Products Co., the company Ando founded, said on its Web site that he died Friday after suffering a heart attack.
Born in Taiwan, Ando founded his company in 1948 from a humble family operation. Faced with food shortages in post-World War II Japan, Ando thought a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses.
In 1958, his "Chicken Ramen" — the first instant noodle — was introduced after many trials. Following its success, the company added other products, such as the "Cup Noodle" in 1971.
"The Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum" opened in 1999 in Ikeda City in western Japan commemorating his inventions.
Ando gave a speech at the company's New Year ceremony and enjoyed Chicken Ramen for lunch with Nissin employees on Thursday before falling ill, Japan's largest daily Yomiuri reported.
He is survived by his wife, Masako.
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reeeewind![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
