7:20 am--fires break out. HUGE. looks like Ernie Gross Designs could be gone. based on the buildings I'm seeing burning on WATE and the photo I've linked to.

Rooftop of the next building to the west of Ernie is now on fire too.

Good reporting. Nice work everyone.

Thanx Boss!

It was reported that three firefighters were injured fighting this enormous fire. Our thoughts and prayers should go out to these firefighters that their injuries were not serious and wish them a full recovery. Fires such as this reminds us of how dangerous firefighting is and how important of a role firefighters play in the safety of the community. Hat's off to them.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

So exactly what buildings burned? all of the McClung warehouses?

Google satellite image shows context. I've outlined the burned buildings in red.

The fire dept. spokesperson said on the radio ~7:40 that three firefighters had been on the second floor of one of the buildings when it collapsed, that all three suffered 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees burn, but beyond that he didn't know the extent of their injuries or whether they'd be airlifted to Erlanger. He didn't know if anyone had been in the buildings when it started. Two of the buildings are total losses, I believe he said, as well. Given the extent of the fire, I don't see how it could be otherwise.

Anyone have theories? And what happens to the lot from here? I liked the look of the warehouses, they were neat, but I can't say they were in that great shape.

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_5334674,00...

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=42006&provider=rss

>The picture on flickr makes them look much nicer.

The one daylight, non-fire shot in that flickr photo set is the front of the building. Randy shot the rear elevation.

I say again, God damn Mark Saroff.

Pretty harsh words for someone who just lost everything, including all his personal possessions. Doubt he had insurance, the cost would have been astronomical for an uninhabited building. And his truck was stolen. Paranoid or not, he has believed for some time that TPTB were trying to force him to give up the buildings, and there have been a lot of sinister happenings and vandalism associated with the buildings. And wasn't there something about Steve Hall being shot at there?

Not to be a Saroff apologist and I don't know all the details, but I think most of the previous proposals would have left him basically giving away his buildings. Not naming any names, but I've heard that some of the downtown revitalizers would like to see those buildings taken away from him so they could see the buildings restored of course, but also reap the profits.

I've been inside the buildings and at least two of them were actually in very good shape inside. Beautiful woodwork and brickwork. Saroff said the buildings were structually sound, but had some external cosmetic problems, like brick falling off and windows out. The N/S said he owes about $18,000 in back taxes, and I recall seeing in the paper some time back where he has already paid a whole bunch of back taxes. And he has recently invested tens of thousands in putting the bricks back up and fixing windows.

So, it may be that he shoulda, woulda, coulda, and it certainly is unfortunate that anyone was hurt and/or will be financially impacted.

But I think the blame should go to the arsonists, not Saroff. And your post seems a little out of line to me.

Before anyone continues this jihad against Mark Saroff, you might want to check out these two radio interviews concerning his on-going fight with the City to get his plans approved and financing in place. One of the sticking points was that the City did not think he could complete the rehab on the budget he submitted and thus would not grant him permits to do even the most minimal of work.

http://www.southernrootsradio.com/sounds/TC02-17-06.mp3.

http://www.southernrootsradio.com/sounds/saroff2-21-06.mp3

Maybe you could just chill wih the GD word, Gemini, ya' think??