Aftermath

	Aftermath ---- Last week, in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia, there was a warehouse conflagration in which two firefighters lost their lives. They had been searching in an adjoining building for possible victims, when a stone wall collapssed on them. ----- Flames were leaping 800 feet above the warehouse and glowing "firebombs" were shooting out of the flames volcanically, some landing on nearby homes. The fire was SO HOT that fire trucks had to park more than a block away to avoid MELTING! ---- During this five-alarm fire, the brave firefighters were able to stop house fires rapidly, avoiding a catastrophic spreading from row house to row house. Miraculously, apart from the firefighters who were tragically lost, there were no injuries. -------- This photo was shot Sunday evening during a vigil that had been organized by the Neighborhood Community Group to honor and show their appreciation of the "Unsung Heroes" and their families. -- © Michelle Alton Canon EOS 5D Mark ...

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4/17/2012 4:06:59 AM

Harsh reality Michelle , I have a brother who is FDNY and hate seeing big fires in the City!

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4/17/2012 4:17:20 AM

A sad story Michelle. Excellent candid capture from the vigil...

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4/17/2012 4:27:11 AM

A very powerful image Michelle - Well done!

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4/17/2012 5:16:01 AM

So sad. I agree with Jeff. This is a powerful image.

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4/17/2012 6:31:09 AM

This image certainly says a lot. Thank goodness for those brave firefighters but so sad that two lost their lives.

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4/17/2012 11:02:32 AM

Exceptional, Michelle!

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4/17/2012 11:38:39 AM

Very powerful, moving image.

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4/17/2012 12:04:56 PM

Great tribute to the fallen Firefighters, Michelle! I guess that is the building in the background.

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4/17/2012 1:11:29 PM

Powerful story and image Michelle.

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4/17/2012 1:54:15 PM

Excellent documentary and tribute, Michelle, the simple image totally supports the devastating story!

Debby

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4/17/2012 2:45:11 PM

Nice candid, Michelle. You have to wonder if somehow a positive impression from the sad day will remain in this young boys mind.

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4/17/2012 3:13:44 PM

Sad story. But I can identify because we currently have a large fire near downtown in the city's mulch piles. The town smells like smoke and no end to the fire in sight. No one seriously hurt, though.

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4/17/2012 3:50:49 PM

A powerful image Michelle, so sad to have had lives lost

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4/17/2012 4:49:25 PM

Very nice tribute to this sad occasion.

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4/17/2012 5:08:18 PM

What a sad story but at the same time a wonderful tribute to those brave souls.

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4/17/2012 5:26:34 PM

Thank you Michelle for sharing this very compelling photo and story with us.

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4/17/2012 7:57:47 PM

Thanks for sharing. Life changed for all involved so quickly. So many reasons for living every moment.
Memoriee

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4/17/2012 8:15:57 PM

Awesome image of a sad moment in time-
Nice tribute to those brave firemen

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4/18/2012 1:13:26 AM

Powerful street sceane and very sad story.

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4/18/2012 11:29:44 AM

WHAT IS A FIREMAN?
(Author Unknown)

He is the guy next door - a man's man with the memory of a little boy. He has never gotten over the excitement of engines and sirens and danger.

He is a guy like you and me with wants and worries and unfulfilled dreams.

Yet he stands taller than most of us.

He is a fireman.

He puts it all on the line when the bell rings.

A fireman is at once the most fortunate and the least fortunate of men.

He is a man who saves lives because he has seen too much death.

He is a gentle man because he has seen the awesome power of violence out of control.

He is responsive to a child's laughter because his arms have held too many small bodies that will never laugh again.

He is a man who appreciates the simple pleasures of life - hot coffee held in numb, unbending fingers - a warm bed for bone and muscle compelled beyond feeling - the camaraderie of brave men - the divine peace and selfless service of a job well done in the name of all men.

He doesn't wear buttons or wave flags or shout obscenities.

When he marches, it is to honor a fallen comrade.

He doesn't preach the brotherhood of man.

He lives it.

(Very Powerful and Very Sad Image, Michelle)

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4/18/2012 11:48:00 AM

What a beautiful verse, Lorraine. Thanks for adding it to this solemn thread.

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4/18/2012 11:58:47 AM