If you were at the Hotel Chelsea back in 1978 you would be grabbing your coat and heading to the fire escape. I was recently talking to one of my neighbors about the big fire of 1978 and she recalled that 
Tex, who used to always play music in the lobby, knocked on her door and told her about the fire. She said unlike most other fires in the hotel, this one filled the whole place with smoke and everybody had to get out. She was able to go out a window onto the fire escape and was picked by the Fire Department's "cherry picker."
'Completely Black With Smoke'
A fire on the third floor of the Chelsea Hotel late last night killed one man (Michael Richards, a 34-year old artist) and sent hundreds of residents of the 11-story building fleeing down fire escapes and into the freezing rain. A woman who had lived at the Hotel off and on was questioned by the police in connection with the fire. (Source: New York Times, Jan 14, 1978) (Photo: Photoshopped fake)
Keren Ann's song "Chelsea Burns," on her "Nolita" CD references the fire. (Portions of the music video were filmed on 23rd St. and on the 8th floor of the Hotel.) The CD also contains a second song, "Alice," dedicated to the fire starter.
Twenty-third was empty
I heard somebody yell
A straight-laced passerby's
Pulled over the Hotel
And Chelsea burns
Chelsea burns
Under my feet
If you were around for the fire, we'd enjoy having your comments.
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