Thursday, June 28, 2007
Fire destroys Denton landmark The Tomato
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DENTON — Fitting poetic fiery ending and all that blah-blah to the Tomato, the restaurant in Denton that became the centerpiece of the prolonged uproar over the plight of Fry Street. The fire appears to have started at around 11 p.m. and the building was destroyed despite efforts by the Denton fire department. Guys were seen running from the building, and three were detained by police but were released, although the police are still calling them Persons of Interest.
Probably the more symbolic thing is that "hundreds of young people" were documenting the fire with cameras, cellphones, etc., so this will probably go down as the most-recorded act of anarchy in the history of time. Lots of photos and exclamation points here, hell, even the DRC has a freaking slide show, and don't forget YouTube.
Posted by T.G.
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Comments
Mike Orren Staff
Best (or at least most interesting) way to follow the story is the Denton Rock City board:
http://scramble.proboards48.com/index...
Some tidbits:
"bookman and another sax player in sol kitchen (they were playing their every other week show at riprock's) played "taps" while a cop watched."
"fire is one of the ultimate protest statements. dangerous, irreversible, high visibility. it may not have been responsible, but i say it's a fine and grand gesture of how a lot of people feel. also it's saying, in a way, that the people are going to have the final word and not the faceless developers/businessmen. kind of a "you can't fire me, i quit" statement. brun on you crazy arsonist."
And a great photo/description:
"This is a photo by Caleb Simpson sent to me earlier tonight. You can see the letter "A" pretty clearly within the framed rectangular section above the arcs of the fireman's giant pee spray.
During all the hubub of the burning I could also see the letter "H" to the left of the "A". It's possible that you might be able to see more during daylight.
Going through bullshit that I collected while I was helping the SFS folks, there was a Hamilton-Perryman Drugstore at that address in 1947.
Go ahead now, make fun of me.
Regardless, it was a pretty impressive candlelight vigil..."
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
msp Anonymous
A very surreal sight, indeed. Here's some raw footage of the the three vandals being interviewed by the police.
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Regular users who might have been amazed at the video msp linked might wonder that we didn't delete the comment, as graphic as the video is.
Ordinarily I would, but coming from DFW music's second best beard, and via the DRC board, I thought it deserved to stand.
Hey, we can take a good-natured Rick Rolling.
Meantime, here's another great video that's really about the Fry Street Fire (Not work safe):
The Burning of Fry Street
Add to My Profile | More Videos
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
msp Anonymous
Good times.
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
Proof that we are in End Times.God help us all.
I'm surprised Brave Combo didn't show up and play a set.
LLM
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Be patient with the MySpace video above. Like all things MySpace, it's slow and buggy-- If you get the frowny face, reload or click through to MySpace to watch it. Well worth it.
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
Poignant photo from DRC board:
http://scramble.proboards48.com/index...
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
oh! a rainbow. are there leprechauns too?
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
The best revenge is to NOT support the businesses that will be replacing OUR history.
BOYCOTT!!!!
BOYCOTT!!!!
BOYCOTT!!!!
The offending investors/developers can only hold out so long without making a profit.
;) LLM
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Teresa Gubbins Staff
history is one thing - but utterly mediocre pizza is another entirely. i ate at this joint ONCE - bleh. it redefined the concept of "cardboard crust"
myself, i can't wait for the new starbucks to open. at least i know they'll be serving competently made espresso drinks and delicious raspberry frappuccinos, heh
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Erin Rice Staff
Ahh, but college town pizza is not supposed to be gourmet, just plentiful. Honestly, any college student whose taste buds still work by the end of the night didn't do their job.
That said, I do feel bad for all the UNT people and Dentonites losing a piece of their history. I don't live anywhere near my college anymore, but I know that if someone took away "rocks and wings" at the Bidwell, I would still go into mourning.
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Lisa Lawrence Merritt Verified
I lived in Denton for 26 years and attended NTSU/UNT. (Music)
As to Starbucks: there were already several places in the area that serve coffee...and better coffe at that!
Screw Starbucks.
LLM
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Paragon Anonymous
i like how the guy thinks he is doing something by chaining himself to a support beam. "i don't want to go to jail, but if i have to go for an hour or 2 until my parents bail me out i'll do that" and of course he is an "actor" whatever people were saying about the people that hang out down on the ole' fry was validated by this act of gross retardation. well done gutter punks, well done.
2 years ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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