The image above are a graphic reminder of fire risks associated with aged buildings for both occupants as well as emergency responders. Conversion of these aesthetically appealing structures and change of occupancy pose significant challenges to planning authorities and related professionals, including Fire Departments, to retrofit these buildings to modern fire protection and life safety standards and regulations. The speed with which fire has sept through the entire building accentuates this challenge. Another, not so readily apparent danger, particularly confronting emergency responders is that of structural collapse. These events have taken the lives of innumerable firefighters historically and continue to do so globally.
The issues of smoke, air pollution, evacuation and community displacement are a different set of challenges altogether.
It's a huge credit to those managing the incident that no casualty has been reported.
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