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Architect Charged in Death of Firefighter at Hollywood Celebrity Mansion Blaze

Seeded on Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:58 AM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: msnbc.com
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Seeded by Jerry Verlinger
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NBCLosAngles.com has reported the owner-architect of a Hollywood Hills mansion where a falling ceiling killed Los Angeles firefighter Glen Allen, 61, during a blaze last February, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. 

According to The Associated Press, Architect Gerhard Becker, 48, was arrested Saturday and arraigned Wednesday in the death of the firefighter. Allen died from injuries sustained Feb. 16, 2011, as he helped attack a fire at the Hollywood Hills home that was to be featured in Heidi Klum's "Germany's Next Top Model," a knockoff of her American show with a similar name.

Authorities said the blaze started in an improperly installed 18-foot "fire trough," or oversize indoor fire pit. Read more;

 

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Jerry Verlinger

Radar Online last year reported the home sold for $7.1 million in 2008 before it was remade for the show.

Flames burned through a plastic sprinkler pipe and filled the attic insulation with water until the ceiling fell on Allen, officials said. Five others were injured in the blaze.

Plastic sprinkler pipes? In a 7 million dollar house?

Plastic sprinkler components in any building, sound like a code violation to me.

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:06 AM EST
ScreamingForVengeance

sound like a code violation to me.

You think?

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:34 PM EST
Reply
formerstew

I feel horrible for the poor fireman and his family, but this sounds civil to me; not criminal.

The requirement that residential homes in California be equipped with sprinkler systems became effective in January of 2011. This house was built years before that. Besides, where was the inspector? Even if the sprinkler system was a perk and not a requirement, wouldn't an inspector take issue with the material used?

Also, how do they know that the water from the home's melted sprinkler system piping was the contributing weight factor in regard to the insulation? What was the fire department using to combat the fire? Spitwads and wee-wee? And how could they differentiate between sprinkler system piping and other water pipes that may have become damaged and therefore added to the weight.

Good grief. That rant just fell out of the sky. Sorry!

    Reply#2 - Sun Feb 19, 2012 7:21 PM EST
    Jerry Verlinger

    Also, how do they know that the water from the home's melted sprinkler system piping was the contributing weight factor in regard to the insulation?

    Probably because the meltdown occurred prior to the firefighters arriving.

    Btw, how did you know that sprinklers were not required in residential homes until 2011?

      #2.1 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 3:43 PM EST
      formerstew

      Btw, how did you know that sprinklers were not required in residential homes until 2011?

      My family owned residential rental property and an avocado tree or two.

        #2.2 - Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:34 PM EST
        Jerry Verlinger

        Avocado trees require fire sprinklers?

          #2.3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:41 AM EST
          formerstew

          Depends on the Santa Ana. ;)

            #2.4 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:08 AM EST
            Jerry Verlinger

            Knock knock;

            Whose there?

            Santa Ana;

            Santa Ana who?

            Santa ana buncha reign deer.

            (I know, 'snot funnny .... this story is about an architect and a dead firefighter.)

            "..... but this sounds civil to me; not criminal."

            I agree with you fs, on the surface it would appear to be a civil unlawful death suit, however it's a year later and for reasons unknown to us, the DA's office apparently feel they have grounds for criminal charges.

            • 1 vote
            #2.5 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 11:26 AM EST
            formerstew

            I thought it was a very cute joke and plan on using it at the first opportunity. Do I need to send copyright loyalties?

            • 1 vote
            #2.6 - Fri Mar 2, 2012 12:16 AM EST
            Jerry Verlinger

            Do I need to send copyright loyalties?

            Please, no. I would rather not be known for making up that stupid joke.

              #2.7 - Sun Mar 4, 2012 12:00 AM EST
              formerstew

              Well, crap. My own joke went down the toilet when I said loyalties instead of royalties.

                #2.8 - Sun Mar 4, 2012 12:10 AM EST
                Jerry Verlinger

                Well, crap. My own joke went down the toilet when I said loyalties instead of royalties.

                I thought you meant royalties but I wasn't sure. If you can make any money from that stupid joke, donate it to the Hollywood Hills Fire Fighters Guild.

                • 1 vote
                #2.9 - Sun Mar 4, 2012 1:10 AM EST
                Reply
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