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Topic: Explosion at Winslow High
In: Boards ► Places ► America ► Brockton Bay
Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Posted on January 5, 2011:
At approximately 3:39pm EST, there was an explosion at Winslow High School. At the time of this writing, the details of the event itself are sketchy. Here's what we know so far:
* Classes had let out for the day shortly before the incident, but there were still an unknown number of students and staff inside the building.
* The explosion appears to have emerged from the general vicinity of the Principal's office (pictures here, here, and here).
* The flames were unusually green in color, accompanied by sizable electrical discharges of similar hue.
* Law enforcement was already on scene in pursuit of an unrelated matter, and so emergency services were rapid in their response.
* Due to the nature of the flame's unusual coloring, PRT ENE and The Protectorate arrived on scene shortly after police, fire, and EMS.
* As can be seen from the photos, a sizable portion of the building has collapsed.
At this point, the total number of casualties/fatalities is unknown, though there were thirty-seven people in the immediate vicinity of the building that were injured. The offices were situated far enough away from exits that those outside were partially shielded from the blast. Thankfully these are limited in their worst to broken bones and moderate lacerations. A list of known survivors can be found here. If you are searching for relatives or friends, look through the list first; if a relative is missing, BBPD contact information can be found here - reach out and let them know.
Due to the nature of the explosion, consensus is that it is likely to be parahuman in origin. There are a number of chemical reactions that produce green flames, but not the electricity. There are no known capes with this sort of effect, so the current theory is a new trigger of some sort. One witness claimed to hear screaming just before the explosion occurred, though this has yet to be corroborated.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and Fortress Construction has been called in with heavy equipment to help shift some of the debris. Currently, Armsmaster, Velocity, Kid Win, Vista, and Clockblocker are on site, as well as Glory Girl and Lady Photon.
I'll update this thread as more information becomes available. If you're in the area, advice is to clear out and give the first-responders room to work. Traffic has been cordoned off four blocks out, so if your commute takes you past, reroute accordingly.
All uninjured students that were left without a way home have been taken to a rally point at the shuttered Walgreens on 32nd and Primrose. Parents unable to find their children should call the aforementioned BBPD non-emergency number listed above.
Edit: Cell phone video can be found here. I'll keep looking for other video, but so far that's it - low quality and some distance away.
Edit: Professional analysis (thank you Nate) concludes the explosion was neither chemical nor electrical in nature, lending credence to a cape-based attack theories. We should still wait for official forensic reports, but I agree with this assessment for now.
Edit: Video [link] with slightly better quality courtesy of XeroShade.
(Showing Page 12 of 15)
► Klaxxo
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Holy crap! I was at the edge of the parking lot when this happened, and I still got knocked off my feet! Class had hardly been out for 20 minutes, so there were definitely still a bunch of people inside! I'll call my mom just as soon as my ears stop ringing.
Edit: I already texted her, and she tried to call me.
► Mut0rcs (Irregulars)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
That video is *really* bad - has anyone tried to clean it up yet?
► FlowerPlower
Replied on January 5, 2011:
That's gotta be a trigger event - what else could it be? I mean, I hear things about Winslow, but surely it's not THAT bad...
► Whatschercallinit
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Any chance it might have been a tinker bomb to take out the principal? I heard something effed up happened there on Monday, not sure about the details tho.
► Klaxxo
Replied on January 5, 2011:
FlowerPlower
Dude, it's so much worse than you think. Winslow has a bad reputation for a reason.
Mut0rcs
I think Xero is working on it. Also, your username is gross – funny, but gross.
Whatschercallinit
I heard some girl got stuffed in her gross locker a couple of days ago, but the cops locked everyone out before anybody really had a chance to find out what it was all about. As far as I know, they took her to BB Genearl, so I doubt this was her.
► XxVoid_CowboyxX (Temp-banned)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
[Post deleted]
[User temp banned - 24 hours]
Privacy of a victim notwithstanding, speculation on cape identities is against the rules. You should know this by now. Have a 24-hour ban while you think about it some more. -Alathea
► FlowerPlower
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Dude, NOT cool! It's nice that you want to stick up for someone, but have a little more common sense!
► FrameRake_29
Replied on January 5, 2011:
You're wasting your breath, Flower - he's never going to learn. Maybe one day they'll actually perma-bann his sorry a**.
► TheNateGate (Power Guru)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
That's definitely not a chemical explosion for sure (source: I am in demolitions). It doesn't sound like high-voltage, like a transformer blowing up. With those, usually you get a lot of sparks, but no actual huge bolts like that - it doesn't even sound right. Stuff like that comes with a low-pitched, very loud buzzing that you feel as much as hear. The quality of the video is terrible, but it almost sounds like screeching.
I hope to hell nobody was in the office area, otherwise they're probably toast. =[
► XeroShade (Veteran Member)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
I tried to clean it up, but the phone camera must have been extra garbo, so it's not much better - link here.
► Infinauseam
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Yeah, there's almost no difference, but thanks for trying, Xero.
► Bagrat (Original Poster) (The Guy In The Know) (Veteran Member)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Xero - This version is less pixelated - OP link updated.
► Misanthrope
Replied on January 5, 2011:
My cousin goes to that school - she said that there were some teachers and students called into the office just before the last bell – I'm no cowboy, so I won't name any names.
Edit: Guys, I'm sure the cops have better things to do than hear about that right now. In fact, I bet they probably already know.
► RadioMonkey
Replied on January 5, 2011:
-Misanthrope,
You or your cousin should probably let them know, just in case.
I hear they've been having trouble moving much of the debris.
► FlowerPlower
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Misanthrope
RadioMonkey is right, you never know who's spoken up and who hasn't. That doesn't bode well for said staff/students that were probably in there when it went boom.
► Vista (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Misanthrope, can you PM me that info? Everyone here has been a little busy to ask questions, and I'm waiting in case they need someone snatched out from under the rubble. I'll be sure to pass it on to Armsmaster.
► Misanthrope
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Vista - o7 - In your inbox! Has anyone been pulled out yet?
► Glory Girl (Verified Cape) (New Wave)
Replied on January 5, 2011:
I managed to get five people out of stable parts of the building that are still standing. Nobody's been able to get at the parts that fell down yet - the combat engineers are still assessing things.
► FlowerPlower
Replied on January 5, 2011:
Great job GG! Hopefully they'll be able to start soon.
► Fleet_Float
Replied on January 5, 2011:
A school exploded and partially fell down in Brockton Bay? It must be Tuesday... Seriously, why does bad sh*t always happen over there?
End of Page. 1, 2, 3 ... 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
Vista stood several yards back from the edge of the building, next to Dennis, both in costume. They had been whisked away from their respective schools and brought directly here, and she watched the scene with no small amount of worry. All that they had been told about so far was the event itself, and even though it hadn't been necessary, what was needed from them. She and Clockblocker were paired up for search and rescue. She would be ready to rescue anyone they uncovered if crews couldn't do so safely, and Dennis would be ready to lock down any shifting chunks of the building if they needed it.
They both watched as Kid Win moved back and forth on his hoverboard, above where the third story used to be. He and Glory Girl were both taking video of the debris from different angles for the construction crews to analyze. Several men and women were gathered around the back of a PRT van with Armsmaster, all of whom were staring intently at a pair of large monitors. Occasionally someone would point to something and make an observation, while one man in denim coveralls marked a corresponding area on the chart-board beside them.
Dennis fidgeted and shifted his stance, and she tried to ignore it. Standing in place waiting to be called on chafed at her as much as it did him, but there was nowhere to sit except the dusty blacktop. "I hope they don't have to wait too long," he said. "What's PHO saying?"
She shook her head and shrugged. "Just about what you'd expect. There's some video, but they haven't been able to do much with it." She decided not to say anything about Misanthrope's PM. There would be time enough for the details later, though she had taken time to forward the message to Armsmaster. "Stay focused, Clock – they might need us to jump in soon."
"Right," he muttered. They both continued to watch as first responders and heroes worked together on the rescue plan. There was no way of knowing how many people were trapped inside, but the latest headcount put the total at around sixty students and maybe a dozen staff. They waited for another half hour before Armsmaster waved them over.
Vista approached the van with Clockblocker close behind, and Glory Girl landed nearby to join them. She glanced at the New Wave girl, and suppressed a frown; it wasn't that she disliked the girl. Vicky Dallon was friendly and always willing to help, but she was hot-headed at the best of times. Her cape name really said a lot about her attitude. The way she treated Dean was awful as often as it wasn't – he could do so much better. She took a deep breath and pushed her jealousy aside, and focused on the task at hand.
The diagram that had been slowly filled in was quite detailed. Black lines traced the original dimensions of the collapsed part of the school, and red lines overlaid the blueprint, which Armsmaster began explaining without preamble. "We're going to do this in stages," he said, pointing to the left-most side of the debris. "The combat engineers have determined the best approach to clearing away the rubble, and have suggested we start with the entrance foyer." He tapped the area on the board, and then gestured toward the corresponding part of the building beside them. "Glory Girl, we're going to have you shift the more manageable pieces over to the parking lot that's been cordoned off. There will be a crew arriving soon to begin clearing that away, but for now just put them in the taped-off portion as carefully as you can."
Vicky nodded gravely. "I should be able to handle most of that. What do you want me to do if I find bigger pieces farther down?"
He nodded approvingly. "Each piece will have to be evaluated in real-time, but if possible, Vista will reduce them to something manageable." He looked at both of them before continuing. "Before you do that, wait for confirmation over comms: We don't want to risk the debris pile from shifting. If you find survivors, prioritize their safety." The armored man pointed up to Chris and said, "Kid win will provide overwatch, and we will coordinate from here. It goes without saying, be careful and work quickly, but don't rush. Every minute counts."
He turned to look at Dennis, who acknowledged the older man. "Yeah boss, emergency freezing duty – you want us in the bucket?" He hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the utility truck with the boom deployed so the bucket sat waiting on the ground. The platform operator stood near the back of the truck, talking into a handheld radio.
"Exactly so, Clockblocker. Any other questions?" When no one asked any, he nodded. "Alright, let's get to work." The other capes dispersed to their assigned stations, but Vista remained behind for a moment. "Something else, Vista?"
She pulled out her phone and brought up the private message, "Yes, sir. Not immediately important, but I didn't want to forget about it." She held up the screen, and Armsmaster leaned forward to look at it. "I don't know that it will help, but it seems like potentially important information.
"Yes, it's not urgent," he agreed, "but thank you for taking the initiative – I'll be sure to inform the local authorities. Off you go." She put the phone back in her utility belt and moved to join Dennis at the waiting platform.
Max Anders stood before his assembled Empire, encased in his battle armor. His lieutenants flanked him on either side, and the assembled un-powered members spread out before him, some four hundred men and women, all dedicated to the cause. Word had reached him of the incident at the school by means of his moles in the PRT, and he had moved swiftly to capitalize on the event.
He raised his voice to address the people before him. "Brothers and Sisters of the Empire! As most of you have likely heard, there was an explosion at Winslow High. Some of you have family there, and this obvious attack by the sub-humans WILL NOT STAND!" He paused for a moment as roars and screams of anger thundered through the warehouse, and then he raised his hands for silence. "We shall respond in kind. You will break into groups and join my capes, and then together you will deliver swift justice to the ABB, who are sure to be the cause of this atrocity. Spare none, not even the Protectorate, who claim to defend this city, only to allow this to happen. Strike fast, show no mercy, and do the same for any who stand in our way!"
The response, if anything, was louder than the last. They were sheep, easily led; he extruded a sword and swung it upward. "FOR THE EMPIRE!" The chorus of voices that responded shook the rafters, and as one, his capes moved forward and began pointing at people in the crowd.
Quan knelt before the most feared man in all of Brockton Bay as he delivered his report. Lung listened patiently as he relayed what details he had learned, including the rumor mill of the Parahumans Online message boards. "Enough," Lung growled, and Quan immediately stopped speaking. "Quan Xiang, you will gather our forces and rally them to strike into Empire territory. This is their doing, and they will pay in blood and death. Send word to Bakuda that she is needed-"
His command was interrupted as another man rushed into the room and prostrated himself next to Quan, who clenched his eyes shut. "What is this?" Everyone knew Lung hated being interrupted, and Quan cursed the man for his proximity.
"Apologies, Lord, but I have received word that the casino is destroyed!" Quan could not prevent the rushed intake of breath, which he held against further outburst.
Lung snarled. "Destroyed? They dare?" The temperature in the room rose significantly. "What happened? Speak quickly, or I will kill you and find out myself."
The man next to Quan shook like a leaf, but managed to grind out words. "It is not certain what happened, only that a green bolt of lightning struck from the sky and then rampaged through the building. One of the guards escaped to call-"
"Silence!" he shouted, and the temperature rose yet again. Quan could smell smoke now, and prayed that he would see another sunrise. "Quan Xiang, why are you still here? Summon Bakuda, now." Quan gratefully shot to his feet and sprinted from the room in search of a phone.
Squealer cursed and threw her wrench down with a satisfying clang, and reached for the ball peen. She needed to get this done before the next shipment; Skids was never patient, and he hardly ever gave her a chance to get choice materials, so her work was twice as hard, especially when-
"Motherfucking shit stringing cunt puss fuckers!" – when he did things like burst into her workshop on a tear. "Squeals! Tell me that fucking thing is goddamn ready!" He stomped up to the platform she stood on and kicked it. She had learned early on to make these things sturdy for that exact reason.
"What the fuck, Skids? Whatsamatter?!"
"Fucking stink shit cocksucking dickwhistlers blew up the school! Is it ready or not?!" He made his point by kicking the gantry harder, causing it to wobble.
"Fuck really?" She scowled at his glare – the school could only mean Winslow, which was the only one in town that they could sell drugs in without getting pinched. It wasn't great money, but every dime counted. "If you don't give a shit about having a cloak-"
"Fuck that horseshit bitch, let's ROLL!" She chucked the hammer at him, but he dodged it and stomped off shouting curses and orders in slurred bellows, flinging objects in his path away with his power. She closed up the hatch and clambered onto the cabin. Cloak or no cloak, this monster was going to kick the shit out of somebody. It didn't even cross her mind that she had no idea who, though.
Her world was a raging fury. It was Green. It was dotted with red. The monsters were everywhere, and she screamed. They screamed back. They died easily, but there were so many. They were weak. They had to die. Liquid fire blasted through her and out into the faceless monsters, but there were always more. He will come. Good. She would show them all how weak they really were.
A/N - Sorry it's been so long! After spending some time brainstorming with my editor, I think we've worked the kinks out, so hopefully updates will start rolling again. Probably only once or twice a week, though. Hold on to your hats!