'round midnight
The old vacant building was to have been demolished
But there was a holdup over rules regarding asbestos.
Then around midnight
That old building was rapidly engulfed in flames.
One-million dollars damage was claimed.
A four to eight inch snow had been predicted,
Only light snow fell, but enough to keep roofs wet with pools of water.
The wind blew hard from the north,
Carrying huge embers high into the air
Then dropping them, still flaming,
On top of my building,
A third of a mile away,
In pools of snow melt.
This winter must have set a record for lousy weather predicting.
Photos 26-27 Feb. 1997, Kansas City, MO. from the Walnut Tower building. 1997 © Mike Strong