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Boy, 7, Saves Sister In 5-Alarm Eastside Fire
Tragedy was averted yesterday on the Eastside thanks to a brave seven-year old boy, fire officials said. The boy, Charlie Siskey, escaped his family's apartment at 72 Avenue A during a fire that raced through the tenement. But when he emerged into the street, he realized that his three-year old sister was still inside. "The kid ran straight through 8-foot flames and came out minutes later with his sister," said city fireman Christian Ledbitter. The fire was the seventh in recent weeks in the neighborhood. Officials say the fire started in a similiar fashion to previous ones, with gas-soaked rags stuffed in basement pipes. Neighborhood watchers suspect landlords of starting the fires to get around harsh rent control laws that make eviction difficult and building luxury high rises almost impossible. However, police officials say there is no evidence that landlords are involved.
Gotham Goes Green With New Taxis, Lights
Gotham environmentalists are extremely pleased with City Hall after the first eco-friendly taxi hit the streets. Gotham's entire fleet of gas-powered cabs are due to be replaced with electric hybrids this year. The hybrid vehicles will significantly reduce gas usage from Gotham's fleet of 8,000 taxis, said citizen-activist Janie Wilcox. The city will be replacing all of its bulbs in its streetlighting with LEDs. City Hall says that the move will save energy and money, as the new lights last longer and are more efficient. The move is expected eventually to save the city $7 million a year in electricity costs, and reduce total carbon emissions by 17,000 tons annually.
Memorial Service Scheduled For Vishnu The Elephant
A Hindu priest will commemorate Vishnu the Elephant's life Sunday at the Gotham Zoo's central pond. The death of the beloved, 42-year-old Asian elephant caused an uproar over unhealthy conditions at the beleaguered city zoo. Vishnu was the third elephant to die prematurely at Gotham Zoo in seven years. Children's favorite Sam the Elephant died in uncertain circumstances earlier this year, while Smokey the Elephant collapsed after television cameras recorded her 43rd birthday seven years ago this December. Animal rights activists blasted zoo officials for creating what they call an "Elephants' Graveyard" in the middle of Gotham.
But Gilaed Braverman of the Elephant Defense League said that the group would refrain from political protest on Sunday in honor of Vishnu. "We are deeply honored that a priest from the Hindu Temple in Gotham will be commemorating Vishnu's life. This is a time to celebrate this brave individual, who survived his capture in the Indian wilderness and his slave passage to Gotham," Braverman said. "Vishnu was not meant to be held captive for our amusement. He was a noble soul with an inspiring story and a loving family."
Activists called on the Zoo to free its last remaining pachyderms, Tiny and Zeb. The Zoo refused comment.
