Eyewitness drawing of the fire, which occurred down the street from the Sanctuary For Independent Media in Troy, New York during the World War 3 artist-taught “Be The Media” comics workshop, on Mother’s Day 2010. One workshop attendee had family members in the blaze.
Fortunately no-one was injured in the three-alarm inferno, but three buildings were damaged and 14 people left homeless.
Across the US impoverished communities have a significantly higher incidence of house fires than wealthier ones. In January 2010, this trend became an epidemic, with the Red Cross reporting a 200% increase in house fires. The surge coincided with a cold snap and was largely due to utility shut-offs, with homelessness and overcrowding exacerbating the problem.
The dilapidated condition of buildings, absentee landlords, fewer services and high rates of arson are some of the more obvious factors that may also contribute to this rising statistic.
