House fires and the retards that chase them

[Arphahat]

There was a billowing bunch of black smoke in my neighborhood today. We went outside to see what was going on, as a number of our neighbors had. Several had already called 911 to report the fire and the fire engines were already on route.

What was frustrating was the sheer number of other vehicles that none of us had seen before. Clearly it was a bunch of losers coming to watch the fire. WTF is wrong with you people? It looked like there were enough cars parked down the road by the fire that the police were called to get them to move the fuck out of the way so that the fire engine could get to the hydrant.

Come on, I know you are interested, but it isn't a show. This is someone's house, someone's memories and belongings, not something for a bunch of strangers to come gawk at. Man, people piss me off sometimes.

[Jackel]

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/disaster_voyeurism.png

While I can appreciate that putting cars in the way of the firetrucks is retarded....the people going to watch the fire are no different from you going outside to see whats happening.

[Arphahat]

While I can appreciate that putting cars in the way of the firetrucks is retarded....the people going to watch the fire are no different from you going outside to see whats happening.

No, I'm a local neighbor who might know the people. I also needed to determine if my house was in actual danger. Once I saw that it was a block away and that the fire department was already notified, I went back inside.

My complaint is that people from somewhere outside of my subdivision were driving in not to help or for concern of their own safety, but to gawk. These people had kids in the car, even. Going to watch the big show. I know there is a natural desire to do so, but show some restraint.

[diablopath]

Dude, it's the same thing with high speed/chases and standoffs.

A few months ago, I was pulling outside of work making a left turn.
As I was at the red light, a red truck across the street was being pulled over by two police. As they went up to his door and tried to open it, he slammed the gas, dragging one a good 5-10 feet, then pulled up into another parking lot, directly straight from where i was. They got in and chased him.

My light then turned green, I said meh, and went about my way.
A few minutes later, I look in my rear view mirror and see this same red truck barreling towards me. I'm not quite sure what to do, so I pull into the median/turning lane/whatever to the left of the left lane, and allow him to pass, and I waited for the inevitable swarm of police cars as well.

Once they all passed, I once again went on my way. Few miles up the road, he must've just had crashed, because he was half way over a barricade on the other side of the highway and cops were approaching the vehicle with guns drawn. PEOPLE WERE PARKING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO WATCH. PEOPLE WITH SMALL CHILDREN IN THEIR CAR.

Seriously, I had an open road and I was wanting to get the fuck out of there. So I did just that. I don't understand it, really.

[Deadend]

Dude, you live in Portage, there is nothing else to do there.

[Wolvie]

[IMG]

While I can appreciate that putting cars in the way of the firetrucks is retarded....the people going to watch the fire are no different from you going outside to see whats happening.

I agree, but they need to park out of the way so the firemen can do their job. These people aren't retarded for being curious, they're retarded for being selfish dicks that don't care about getting in the way and fucking things up worse then they already are.

[SilentScreams]

This is why fire trucks should have bulldozer style plows on the front. :D
If somebody won't get out of the way, you get them out of the way.

[Wolvie]

This is why fire trucks should have bulldozer style plows on the front. :D
If somebody won't get out of the way, you get them out of the way.

I don't see why not honestly. If an ambulance can go really fast and everyone has to get out of the way, then I don't see why a fire truck shouldn't have the right to park wherever they want. Even if that means bulldozing your rubber-necking ass' car out of the way.

And the funny part would be that the person couldn't sue the city because they would be at fault for being in the way, just like if you caused an accident with an ambulance.

[diablopath]

I dunno if it's nationwide, but firefighters around here will bust windows out if they're in the way of hydrant access.

[Pigeon]

Dude, you live in Portage, there is nothing else to do there.

Lol, he's got you there

[ShivaX]

I dunno if it's nationwide, but firefighters around here will bust windows out if they're in the way of hydrant access.
Nice Beemer.
http://i26.tinypic.com/qsm89d.jpg

[Wolvie]

I dunno if it's nationwide, but firefighters around here will bust windows out if they're in the way of hydrant access.

Awesome. Perhaps the authorities were way ahead of me.

[Hawkzombie]

Nice Beemer.
http://i26.tinypic.com/qsm89d.jpg

God that pic is full of win.

[Narradisall]

I was about to say don't they just bust through windows to get to the hydrants?

It's illegal to park there for a reason idiots!

People love to watch disasters happen though. It's the same with rubbernecking or crowding round when people die.