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Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 10:10 AM

Is everyone here in NYC - and their relatives and friends - okay after the building collapse in NYC? It's looking pretty bad.

I'm understanding that there was a huge explosion and the building just disappeared.

CNN

Hope so.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jul 10, 2006, 10:11 AM

Now it is time for "Who's to blame".

Kevin · Jul 10, 2006, 10:14 AM

"White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said there is no suspicion of terrorism in the explosion."

Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 10:17 AM

NYTimes:

Yaakov Kermaier, 36, a resident in a building next door, said he was outside when he heard "a deafening boom. I saw the whole building explode in front of me."

"Everybody started running, nobody knew what was coming next," he said. His nanny and newborn escaped from their next-door apartment unharmed.

The four-alarm fire was reported at 8:40 a.m., and hundreds of firefighters rushed to the scene. They were seen picking through the wreckage less than an hour after the fire.

Lt. Eugene Whyte said the building included two doctor's offices, and one of the doctors has been accounted for.

The power company Con Edison said they were on the scene at a building next door -- responding to a report from a gas customer -- when the blast occurred.

TV host Larry King, who had been in his hotel room nearby, described the explosion to CNN as sounding like a bomb and feeling like an earthquake.

Unbelievable.

I hope that there were no fatalities either in the building or with the personnel responding to the scene (firefighters, etc.)

Mastrap · Jul 10, 2006, 10:21 AM

Gas explosion. Ouch.

starman · Jul 10, 2006, 10:24 AM

With a city that old I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. I'd bet that this prompts more inspections of the buildings in NYC.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jul 10, 2006, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by starman

With a city that old I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often. I'd bet that this prompts more inspections of the buildings in NYC.

Apparently people die from falling bricks all the time in NY. Don't know how true it is.

Dakar · Jul 10, 2006, 10:27 AM

Sounds like an urban legend.

Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 10:29 AM

People DO die from stepping on metal manhole covers that are electrified - as do dogs on the leash - more and more frequently.

Also Con Edisons fault.

The backlash against Con Edison is going to be huge. Maybe a federal investigation even?

Why use natural gas anyway? It's so outdated. Yes, it's clean fuel, etc. But dangerous.

applenut1 · Jul 10, 2006, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar

Sounds like an urban legend.

Not really. it doesn't happen all the time or on any consistent basis but it has happened a handful of times.

applenut1 · Jul 10, 2006, 10:37 AM

It looks like a large residential building. I don't know how there aren't fatalities. That's a miracle.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker

Now it is time for "Who's to blame".

The government, liberals, conservatives, etc.

applenut1 · Jul 10, 2006, 10:40 AM

Apparently it might be a potential suicide attempt by a doctor. :-\

Dakar · Jul 10, 2006, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Why use natural gas anyway? It's so outdated. Yes, it's clean fuel, etc. But dangerous.

Pretty much every fuel is dangerous in some manner or another.

Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 10:46 AM

Electricity too?

Not unless you're putting a screwdriver into an electrical outlet or bathing with a toaster.

Hearing that no one was killed...what a miracle.

Dakar · Jul 10, 2006, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Electricity too?

Not unless you're putting a screwdriver into an electrical outlet or bathing with a toaster.

Electrical fires happen.

Point is something out of the ordinary must have happened, or else this would happen more often.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Electricity too?

Not unless you're putting a screwdriver into an electrical outlet or bathing with a toaster.

Or water is spilled near an extension cord on the floor, or there's a storm and active power lines fall to the ground. So yes, it is potentially dangerous. The fact that it is/contains energy makes it dangerous if that energy is released in the wrong way.

Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 10:57 AM

It's not nearly as dangerous as natural gas.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It's not nearly as dangerous as natural gas.

Got any statistics to back that up?

Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 11:13 AM

How about a building collapse today in NYC due to a natural gas explosion?

Maybe YOU would like to point out the last time ANY building blew up because of an electricity explosion?

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

The government, liberals, conservatives, etc.

Or the illegal immigrants to built it.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Or the illegal immigrants to built it.

They're ruining our country, you know.

Cody Dawg · Jul 10, 2006, 11:17 AM

Well, since a lot of them are uneducated and unskilled and cheap labor maybe they ARE responsible for shoddy work...Gossamer may be right.

Dopetrackalistic · Jul 10, 2006, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

How about a building collapse today in NYC due to a natural gas explosion?

Maybe YOU would like to point out the last time ANY building blew up because of an electricity explosion?

hahahahahahah!

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/safety/tips/electrical.shtm

Electrical fires in our homes claim the lives of 485 Americans each year and injure 2,305 more. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures and appliance defects, but many more are caused by the misuse and poor maintenance of electrical appliances, incorrectly installed wiring, and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) would like consumers to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.

THE PROBLEM

During a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses. Home electrical wiring causes twice as many fires as electrical appliances.

Originally Posted by http://www.citypublicservice.com/content_listInternet.asp?cont_id=5465&elmt_id=11

From 1979 to 1988, there were 578 deaths in the United States that were attributed to natural gas (out of 56,000 total carbon monoxide-related deaths). This is an average of 50 deaths per year. You are more likely to die from a lightning strike (approximately 80 deaths per year).

-

exca1ibur · Jul 10, 2006, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Well, since a lot of them are uneducated and unskilled and cheap labor maybe they ARE responsible for shoddy work...Gossamer may be right.

However, since they didn't hire themselves for the job, the blame has to move one more level up the chain.

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Well, since a lot of them are uneducated and unskilled and cheap labor maybe they ARE responsible for shoddy work...Gossamer may be right.

Actually I was the one suggesting it because I saw you started this thread.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

...and cheap labor...

Ah, because expensive=good quality. (Look at Bose)

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Ah, because expensive=good quality. (Look at Bose)

More like look at the MacBook pros

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

More like look at the MacBook pros

Burn.

Mastrap · Jul 10, 2006, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

It's not nearly as dangerous as natural gas.

In 2004 there were over 500 electrical fires reported in Ontario. No gas explosions.
I am just now working on an electricity safety campaign and incidents involving electricity are outnumbering incidents involving gas by a huge margin. Almost all of them involve fire.

Dopetrackalistic · Jul 10, 2006, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

-

owned.

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

In 2004 there were over 500 electrical fires reported in Ontario. No gas explosions.
I am just now working on an electricity safety campaign and incidents involving electricity are outnumbering incidents involving gas by a huge margin. Almost all of them involve fire.

exactly. I have natural gas and it has been much better than the Oil furnace before it.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

exactly. I have natural gas and it has been much better than the Oil furnace before it.

I'd rather clean up a natural gas 'spill' than an oil spill.

applenut1 · Jul 10, 2006, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

Well, since a lot of them are uneducated and unskilled and cheap labor maybe they ARE responsible for shoddy work...Gossamer may be right.

The building was most likely built by Irish or Italian laborers who were legal citizens.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 01:50 PM

Cody? Did she disappear?

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Cody? Did she disappear?

She got deported.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

She got deported.

No, she's a Native American and at no point in history did her ancestors come to America as immigrants.

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

No, she's a Native American and at no point in history did her ancestors come to America as immigrants.

It's the new bitch export law

In terms of "shitty work by immigrants":

"Fire Chief Nicholas Scoppetta said someone in the building sent an e-mail to a person in the neighborhood that "leads us to believe this may have been a suicide attempt.""

Eug Wanker · Jul 10, 2006, 02:09 PM

Gas stoves rock. When they built my townhouse, I insisted on a gas stove despite the extra $$$.

I HATE cooking on electric stoves.

Plus, it will make it easier to blow up my house when I get sick of it.

Landos Mustache · Jul 10, 2006, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Gas stoves rock. When they built my townhouse, I insisted on a gas stove despite the extra $$$.

Pilot lights scare me. Plus I don't want the cat to catch on fire.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Pilot lights scare me. Plus I don't want the cat to catch on fire.

Your cat plays on the stove?

My parents got a flat top stove, waaay easy to clean, very convenient, heats up reeeally fast. We use an electric spirally top at my house, works best for heating hookah coals.

MaxPower2k3 · Jul 10, 2006, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Pilot lights scare me. Plus I don't want the cat to catch on fire.

i don't think gas stoves have had pilot lights for many years. Any modern gas stove has an electronic ignition that lights the gas with a spark.

Eug Wanker · Jul 10, 2006, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Pilot lights scare me.

No pilot in my stove.

Plus I don't want the cat to catch on fire.

But it's OK for them to be burned when they step on an electric stove?

Originally Posted by Gossamer

My parents got a flat top stove, waaay easy to clean, very convenient, heats up reeeally fast.

Still nowhere near as fast as gas, and it doesn't cool down as fast either.

Gas + copper bottom pans =

Too bad everything's aluminum-bottomed these days though, unless you're willing to spend $$$$. Mind you, most of the time, aluminum is good enough.

Plus, electric stoves are a pain if you ever use a wok.

Mastrap · Jul 10, 2006, 02:28 PM

Gas stoves gave up pilot lights 30 years ago.

And aluminum is a bad choice when it comes to cooking utensils. Heats up quickly, but also leaches into your system and promotes early onset Alzheimer's. If you do want to use aluminum cookware make sure it is anodized.

I use cast iron for pretty much everything. I've got a raw steel sauté pan for quick jobs. Not as fast as aluminum of copper, but damn close. When we renovated the new house I treated myself to a pro gas range. 10 years old was all I could afford but that thing will outlast all of us.

Eug Wanker · Jul 10, 2006, 02:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

And aluminum is a bad choice when it comes to cooking utensils. Heats up quickly, but also leaches into your system and promotes early onset Alzheimer's.

That is not true. There is no real evidence that aluminum causes Alzheimer's.

If you do want to use aluminum cookware make sure it is anodized.

Actually, I buy stainless steel cookware. The aluminum (or copper) is separated from the food by a layer of stainless steel. In fact, usually the very bottom is stainless steel too, to make for easy cleaning. The aluminum is sandwiched in between.

I use cast iron for pretty much everything. I've got a raw steel sauté pan for quick jobs. Not as fast as aluminum of copper, but damn close. When we renovated the new house I treated myself to a pro gas range. 10 years old was all I could afford but that thing will outlast all of us.

Yeah, iron is great for certain stuff, but terrible for others since it retains the heat for so long... Things will continue to cook long after you remove it from the heat. BTW, ironically I don't like aluminum as much because it's too slow. Even though it's much faster than cast iron, copper is usually faster.

I generally don't like raw steel cuz the heat is so uneven. (See above.) It's good for woks though depending on how you cook. And if you're talking carbon steel, it rusts. Unfortunately for me, it's hard to find good quality stainless steel rounded woks without spending a lot of money.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

Still nowhere near as fast as gas, and it doesn't cool down as fast either.

I wouldn't call full heat in less than 30 seconds nowhere. You're right about the not cooling down, it does take a while, but I think the advantages make up for it.

Stradlater · Jul 10, 2006, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

I wouldn't call full heat in less than 30 seconds nowhere. You're right about the not cooling down, it does take a while, but I think the advantages make up for it.

But you can't use cast iron on them, right?

EDIT: After making it through the entire thread and posting, I had forgotten that this thread was about a New York building explosion and hoping that no one we know was harmed. And now it's a cooking thread.

Gossamer · Jul 10, 2006, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Stradlater

But you can't use cast iron on them, right?

I don't know, I never got to use it much. Didn't read the manual either.

Mastrap · Jul 10, 2006, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Eug Wanker

That is not true. There is no real evidence that aluminum causes Alzheimer's.

Actually, I buy stainless steel cookware. The aluminum (or copper) is separated from the food by a layer of stainless steel. In fact, usually the very bottom is stainless steel too, to make for easy cleaning. The aluminum is sandwiched in between.

Yeah, iron is great for certain stuff, but terrible for others since it retains the heat for so long... Things will continue to cook long after you remove it from the heat. BTW, ironically I don't like aluminum as much because it's too slow. Even though it's much faster than cast iron, copper is usually faster.

I generally don't like raw steel cuz the heat is so uneven. (See above.) It's good for woks though depending on how you cook. And if you're talking carbon steel, it rusts. Unfortunately for me, it's hard to find good quality stainless steel rounded woks without spending a lot of money.

I believe that you might be misinformed there.

Leaching from aluminum cookware becomes potentially significant when cooking highly basic or acidic foods. For example, in one study, tomato sauce cooked in aluminum pans was found to accumulate 3-6 mg aluminum per 100 g serving.

And certain aluminum compounds have been found to be an important component of the neurological damage characteristics of Alzheimer's Disease.

Lightweight aluminum, second only to copper in conducting heat, reacts with acidic foods, imparting a metallic taste, and can discolor light-colored soups and sauces, especially if you stir them with a metal spoon or whisk (it is a very soft metal). For that reason, you should neither cook nor store light-colored foods in aluminum cookware. Anodized aluminum has a hard, corrosion-resistant surface that helps prevent discolouration and also prevents the aluminum from leaching into your food.

If you can afford decent copper cookware, and don't mind the work that comes with them, then that's about as good as it gets. However, aluminum is a very close second to copper and certainly faster than stainless steel will ever be. Add to this that stainless steel doesn't season at all and the choice, at least for me, was easy.

A wok should never be stainless steel, it should be carbon steel. You actually want poor heat conductivity as this will create different temperature zones in the wok. My mother, well meaning that she is, once gave me a cast iron 'wok' for Christmas. Makes a great casserole dish but a wok it isn't.