Lightning Strike Ignites Roof of Apartment, Displaces 36 by Amanda Leigh Brozana
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GREENBELT News ReviewAn Independent Newspaper VOL. 78, No. 32 15 Crescent Rd., Suite 100, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1887 JULY 2, 2015 Lightning Strike Ignites Roof Of Apartment, Displaces 36 by Amanda Leigh Brozana A direct lightning strike ig- The lightning bolt made direct The couple was preparing to nited a rapid-burning fire in the contact with the roof just above move from their one-bedroom roof of an apartment building at the apartment of Sumit Nanda, apartment to a three-bedroom 207 Lakeside Drive on unit in the complex Tuesday, June 23 just and had packed most before 7:30 p.m. The of their belongings fire spread to the at- in trash bags and set tached building at 209 them in the living Lakeside Drive causing room. 36 residents across 22 “I would say we units of the University lost 99 percent of Square Apartments in our belongings,” said Celebrate Our Country’s buildings 207 and 209 White, who noted that to be displaced. the couple has not Birthday With Fireworks University Square been allowed to return Apartment resident Nik- to see what remains. A festive Independence Day lost or missing children. The ki Scites said she and White said her celebration will be presented by department provides guidelines to her family were watch- family is greatly ap- the City of Greenbelt on Satur- ensure safety during the holiday ing the storm from their preciative of the day, July 4 at Buddy Attick Lake celebration. balcony when they saw support they’ve Park. There will be festivities No Alcohol the lightning strike. received from the for family and friends of all Do not bring alcoholic bev- “My family and I community. ages, including a drum circle and erages to the park. Alcohol is were sitting outside in “There was a band concert, topped off by a strictly prohibited in all city- our balcony watching a ton of support fireworks display. owned parks. Violators will be the storm. We love that we were re- Fireworks will begin at dark subject to arrest. For safety and watching them. We ally grateful for. (about 9 p.m.) and last 20 to 30 security reasons, people carrying saw a stroke of light- WHITE LAUREN BY PHOTO There were a lot minutes. The best viewing spots ning go over our build- of people in the at the lake will be claimed first. ing and we heard a big A lightning bolt sparked a rapid-burning fire Tuesday, apartment complex Those who come early can bring Bad Weather? boom. My dad imme- June 23, at 207 Lakeside Drive that spread to the adja- that we never met be- a blanket and picnic and enjoy a Call Greenbelt Recreation diately said ‘Oh that hit cent 209 Lakeside Drive. This photo was taken moments fore that brought us leisurely holiday afternoon social- Department Weather and In- something. Everybody before firefighters brought the roof down into the living food and things. One izing and enjoying free entertain- formation Hotline for fireworks go get the candles,’” room of Lauren White and Sumit Nanda. woman brought a huge ment and activities for all ages, schedule adjustments. Scites said. tub of baby items and from romping in the playground By the time she and her fam- who was home at the time. His clothes,” White said. “We’ve to strolling around the park’s 301-474-0646 ily got to the hill next to the wife Lauren White, as well as been really touched by the sup- lovely 1.3-mile wooded trail. building, it was ablaze. Scites their 5-month-old daughter, Vay- port.” Rhythm and Music coolers and packages into the said firefighters were on the lea, were at Lauren’s mother’s A drum circle will draw a park may have them inspected. scene and had rescued a dog. house when the fire broke out. See LIGHTNING, page 7 lively crowd at the bandstand No Private Fireworks from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Percus- For everyone’s safety, do not sionists of all ages may perform bring any fireworks, including on their own instruments (or bor- sparklers. Fireworks are deadly, City, GHI meet on Pepco Tree row one as long as supplies last), dangerous and illegal. All forms, joining together and interweaving including firecrackers, snakes, individual rhythms in this com- sparklers and bottle rockets, are Plan, Roosevelt Center Upkeep munity drum circle. prohibited by law in Greenbelt by Kathleen Gallagher Leading up to the fireworks, and throughout Prince George’s the Greenbelt Concert Band will County. Anyone found in posses- The Greenbelt City Council the formation of an economic particular what appears to be an perform a rousing selection of sion of fireworks will be subject met with the Board of Directors development strategy for the city. unwillingness on the part of the patriotic music at the bandstand to arrest. Penalties include fines of Greenbelt Homes, Inc. (GHI) He enumerated Sage’s recommen- owner to maintain or invest in from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. up to $1,000 and/or six months for their annual stakeholder work- dations and said while he thought the property. Police Presence in jail. session on June 15 at the GHI the consultants had targeted the Jordan cited the renovation The Greenbelt Police Depart- Pets, Boats, Recycling offices. Agenda topics for this right areas for work, the city had and reopening of the Old Green- ment asks for everyone’s cooper- All pets must be on a leash, meeting are typically a combina- not yet identified the next steps belt Theatre as a significant step ation in making this a safe event. although it is strongly recom- tion of perennials and annuals, to be taken. in enhancing the Center and at- Police Department employees mended that pets be left at home. with about half the 12 items Roosevelt Center tracting people to come in. He will host a tent in the grassy In the past, dogs, frightened by prepared by GHI for discus- GHI Board President Steven acknowledged that what the city area by the main parking lot to sion this year carrying over from Skolnik said that although it is can do in the area of landlord- provide first aid and to help with See 4TH JULY, page 7 prior meetings. Discussion time not GHI’s only interest in terms tenant relations is somewhat lim- primarily focused on two topics: of economic development, Roo- ited. Roosevelt Center as it relates to sevelt Center inevitably looms Councilmember Rodney Rob- the city’s pursuit of an economic large because of its location. He erts turned the question back to What Goes On development strategy and various asked what the city is considering GHI by asking what kinds of concerns with the city’s three as ways to fill vacant spaces with businesses the board would like Saturday, July 4 utility companies, particularly “long-term, viable, interesting to see in the Center and wheth- Celebration, Lake Park er any of them had considered Pepco’s recently announced plan businesses.” He said the likeli- Tuesday, July 7 for this year’s tree trimming and hood of doing so would seem opening a business there. He 7 p.m., Arts Advisory Board Meeting, Community Center removal. to be constricted by the state of said if they had ideas to suggest, First on the list was the Sage landlord-tenant relations there, in council might be able to promote 7 p.m., Public Safety Advisory Committee Meeting, Commu- Policy Group Economic Strategy them with the owner. nity Center report, which was submitted to GHI Treasurer Chuck Hess, Wednesday, July 8 the city last year. The question The city scheduled a who as it happens has his own 7:30 p.m., Advisory Planning Board Meeting, Community posed to council was what impact Wednesday, July 22 workses- business, replied to Roberts that Center the recommendations might have sion with Pepco. in the Com- if he were looking for office 8 p.m., Council Worksession on National Park Service, Com- on GHI. munity Center to discuss its space, he did not think it would munity Center Mayor Emmett Jordan de- tree trimming and removal be in a place where he had heard scribed the Sage study as the plan. The meeting is tenta- tenants were unable to get the tively set for 8 p.m. city’s “first-time investment” in See COUNCIL, page 8 Page 2 GREENBELT NEWS REVIEW Thursday, July 2, 2015 City Notes Our New Email Addresses Animal Control adopted one - [email protected] for stories, letters and pho- dog and three cats, picked up a tographs; stray cat and returned two dogs - [email protected] for ads, advertising questions, found running at large to their rates and policies; owners. - [email protected] for general inquiries about Noise Control mailed 18 warn- the newspapers, e.g., office hours, how to submit materials (format ing notices. and editorial standards) and volunteering; and Planning Staff researched the - [email protected] for billing and account- status of a dredging feasibility ing questions. study for Greenbelt Lake. Mail to our old address, [email protected], will be for- Public Works collected 38.38 warded for a limited period. tons of refuse and 15.40 tons of For information on this and other ways of communicating with recyclable material. the paper, deadlines and other guidelines for submission of materi- als, refer to our website at greenbeltnewsreview.com or email of- [email protected]. Wine Tasting at Co-op The Greenbelt Co-op Super- market & Pharmacy will be of- fering a free wine-tasting event Letters to the Editor on Thursday, July 2 from 4 to 7 p.m.