For those that are acquainted with Hammer Data Systems, the company that produces Sesame and provides technical support: right across the street from our headquarters, an entire block of Garrettsville burnt down today. As I am typing this it is still on fire. The fire spread from one building to another and destroyed one half of the historic district. One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation, but otherwise there have been no casualties.

Hammer Data Systems is fine. Our building, owned by Erika is also fine, though probably a bit smoky. Things may be difficult for a short while, while the town gets back on its feet.

The picture below is from early in the fire -- the first building to be destroyed.

WOW! Glad you are all okay.

This is the type of event that will make you re-think your backup strategy -- to always have backup copies off-site.

If you have ever called Lantica Technical Support, you have probably spoken to Ben Coll. Ben is an employee here at HDS, and is also the president of the Garrettsvile Area Chamber of Commerce (mentioned in the article Bob Scott posted), which is organizing the Rebuild Garrettsville campaign.

If you are interested in how it is going, we have set up a webcam here at HDS pointed at the block in question. It is available here:

http://garrettsvillearea.com/webcam.html

I've been using Sesame 3's live image capability to access real time video from the webcam.

BOBSCOTT wrote on Apr 4^th, 2014 at 3:36am:


Ben is the president of the chamber of commerce. Erika (founder of HDS and Ben's boss) is the treasurer. The CC is handling the rebuild fund so that people will know there is a reputable agency organizing the effort and the money will go to the victims of the fire. Unfortunately, when a tragedy strikes, opportunists are know to take advantage.

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We had a couple of the insurance investigators come up to the third floor to take pictures. Since we had such a bird's eye view of the destroyed block across the street, it seemed like we could share it with others who might be concerned.

I wish the camera had a better CPU and a zoom capability. It really bogs down with more than a handful of people watching it.

BOBSCOTT wrote on Apr 8^th, 2014 at 1:53pm:


Yes. It is saved by being brick. The fire started on the right side and spread to the left. Behind the brick building was a wooden addition. The fire crossed behind the brick building to the connected buildings on the left.

We set the limits on the camera a little too tight on the left. It should be better now. There is some "drift" and we have seen people manage to turn the camera to view us working at our desks.

BOBSCOTT wrote on Apr 10^th, 2014 at 2:02pm:


The locals seem to believe it has something to do with roofers, but its all rumor - so far.

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The property was owned by several different land lords and housed quite a few renters. I'm not sure if there is any way to get something coherent built.

We aren't entirely sure. The rumor is that the landowners are waiting for EPA or other bureaucratic approval before further clean up can go on.

Carl Underwood wrote on May 1^st, 2014 at 8:09pm:


We move the camera around - from one window to another. Currently it isn't in an occupied office.