Breaking News: Furry convention disrupted by gas leak (Intentional gas leak)

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**Asherian Command**

Well Then:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-19-hospitalized-thousands-evacuated-in-gas-leak-at-rosemont-hotel-20141207-story.html

Several thousand people, some dressed as animal characters, were evacuated from a Hyatt hotel in suburban Rosemont when an “intentional” chlorine gas incident at the hotel, which was hosting the Midwest FurFest convention, sent 19 people to hospitals early Sunday.

The incident happened around 12:40 a.m. at the Hyatt, at 9300 West Bryn Mawr Avenue in Rosemont, according to a statement from the Rosemont Public Safety Department. First responders were called to investigate a noxious odor that was spreading across the ninth floor of the hotel, where a high level of chlorine gas was discovered in the air, the statement said.

Nineteen people were transported to nearby hospitals after complaining of nausea, dizziness and other medical problems, according to the statement. All people inside the building were temporarily evacuated and sheltered at nearby facilities, including the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Disrupted was an annual weekendlong convention called Midwest FurFest, which celebrates art, literature and performance based around anthropomorphic animals, draws thousands of people every year, according to the Midwest FurFest website.

Hazardous materials technicians found the source of the chlorine gas, what appeared to be powdered chlorine, in a stairwell at the ninth floor, according to a statement from police.

Technicians decontaminated the area and after conducting several tests deemed the area safe within about two hours. People were allowed back into the building about 4:20 a.m., according to a statement from FurFest. Some conventiongoers, some of whom were dressed up as animal characters, stood outside of the building. Hundreds more escaped the chilly weather at other buildings.

"At 1:10 AM the entire hotel was evacuated, first across Bryn Mawr Ave. in front of the Hyatt as per Rosemont Fire Department’s standard procedures, then when it became apparent that the wait would take longer, the Stephens Convention Center was opened to provide warmth and shelter to our guests," according to the FurFest statement.

Thomas Zell, 27, of Arlington Heights, said he was outside with a group of people near the hotel entrance when he saw people being evacuated. Zell said he has been attending FurFest and other conventions in the Hyatt hotel for several years.

“A lot of people thought this was just someone pulling the fire alarm,” Zell said, adding that it is not uncommon for someone to trigger the alarm at such events. “But it was serious this time,” Zell said.

Zell and others said many conventiongoers were dancing and partying in groups in different parts of the hotel when the incident happened.

Iowa residents Morgan Smejkal and Chris Delaney said they did not hear the alarms in the part of the building they were in and found out they needed to evacuate through hotel staff and after receiving texts from their friends.

“It was shocking,” said Smejkal while standing outside the hotel dressed in a red panda animal suit.

The couple said they smelled chlorine as they walked out the building.

“It was like when you walk into a pool. It was pungent,” said Delaney.

The manner by which the substance, which was consistent with powdered chlorine, was released “suggests an intentional act,” according the statement from Rosemont police, who are investigating the incident as a criminal matter.

FurFest organizers said in the statement that neither they nor the hotel would offer refunds because the incident was “an unforeseen criminal act.”

Still, organizers said in the statement late Sunday morning that the FurFest would go on.

“As we wake up today we want to continue to provide the best possible convention that we can, despite the trying circumstances,” according to the statement. “We ask you to continue to be patient, and remember that the volunteers who make Midwest FurFest happen intend to give 110% to make sure that the fun, friendship, and good times of Midwest FurFest 2014 overshadow last night’s unfortunate incident.”

Someone wanted those furries dead! Now keep it clean peeps!

**Grey Templar**

There's a joke about euthanizing stray animals here...

Anyway, this is a seriously bad thing. Now the real question is if it was targeted at Furries or if it was simply targeting a large gathering(who happened to be furries)

**Asherian Command**

Grey Templar wrote:
There's a joke about euthanizing stray animals here...

Anyway, this is a seriously bad thing. Now the real question is if it was targeted at Furries or if it was simply targeting a large gathering(who happened to be furries)

It is still considered an act of terror according to the FBI playbook.

**Grey Templar**

Certainly. Its just a question of level of threat.

If the terrorist was just targeting Furries, the danger is a little less as he's more predictable. If it was a broader target, then its a little more dangerous(little being relative)

**Asherian Command**

Grey Templar wrote:
Certainly. Its just a question of level of threat.

If the terrorist was just targeting Furries, the danger is a little less as he's more predictable. If it was a broader target, then its a little more dangerous(little being relative)

True, I was actually expecting people to make puns by now. OTT you have failed me.

But yeah it is horrible thing to happen to a group of people. Even if they happen to be furries :/

**Ahtman**

I saw a headline about a gas leak but it didn't say it was intentional. I hope the authorities figure out who did it.

**Asherian Command**

Ahtman wrote:
I saw a headline about a gas leak but it didn't say it was intentional. I hope the authorities figure out who did it.

Lets Hope!

Knowing Chicago police they don't like terrorists or any criminal.

As long as the criminal doesn't kill any officer. He or she will be find.

**Medium of Death**

I think the Furries were asking for it.

#blamethevictim

#that'sabingo!

**hotsauceman1**

Damn, One of my friends was there, I hope he is alright.

**Asherian Command**

Medium of Death wrote:
I think the Furries were asking for it.

#blamethevictim

#that'sabingo!

Come on be more creative

"YOU DAMN DIRTY APES YOU LEAKED IT ALL! YOU SREWED IT ALL UP!"

I want to see a psychological profile by next week

**Grey Templar**

Medium of Death wrote:
I think the Furries were asking for it.

#blamethevictim

#that'sabingo!

Too forced, doesn't count. Its gotta be natural to be a Bingo.

**Rusty Trombone**

PETA has gone too far.

**LordofHats**

Grey Templar wrote:
Medium of Death wrote:
I think the Furries were asking for it.

#blamethevictim

#that'sabingo!

Too forced, doesn't count. Its gotta be natural to be a Bingo.

Permission to blame the victim?

**Asherian Command**

Rusty Trombone wrote:
PETA has gone too far.

This is the only person who has made a funny joke.

**hotsauceman1**

So, my buddy is alright....
He is just upset it prevented him from getting laid

**Asherian Command**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
So, my buddy is alright....
He is just upset it prevented him from getting laid

Oh the horror!

**hotsauceman1**

I know, its like "I didnt need to know that"

**AegisGrimm**

Hopefully it was not going to be in costume?

**Grey Templar**

AegisGrimm wrote:
Hopefully it was not going to be in costume?

Unfortunately, that might have defeated the purpose.

**Asherian Command**

AegisGrimm wrote:
Hopefully it was not going to be in costume?

Well.

Nevermind.

Not safe for kid.

**Torga_DW**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
I know, its like "I didnt need to know that"

Agreed, I'd much rather watch animal planet where the furries are real. Um. Hang on a second.

**streamdragon**

Ahtman wrote:
I saw a headline about a gas leak but it didn't say it was intentional. I hope the authorities figure out who did it.

"Gas leak" may be a misnomer. Another article I've read said someone created released chlorine gas in a stairwell.

**CptJake**

Grey Templar wrote:
There's a joke about euthanizing stray animals here...

Anyway, this is a seriously bad thing. Now the real question is if it was targeted at Furries or if it was simply targeting a large gathering(who happened to be furries)

Could even be a disgruntled employee with the target being the hotel and it having nothing to do with the convention.

**Frazzled**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
So, my buddy is alright....
He is just upset it prevented him from getting laid

Well if he's at a Furry convention, that wasn't it...

**Medium of Death**

It's a pretty creepy, freaky hobby so it's undoubtedly attracts some nutjobs.

It's just one of those things that I just can't comprehend the appeal, like male MLP fans.

It actually repulses me.

First against the wall...

**Andilus Greatsword**

Grey Templar wrote:
AegisGrimm wrote:
Hopefully it was not going to be in costume?

Unfortunately, that might have defeated the purpose.

I think we all know that that's not the case.

I've taken part in my own fair share of furry-bashing (although never actually directed at anyone), but this thing just kinda perplexes me really. Like, why now? I haven't given a

about furries for years now, especially since MLP became a constant thing on the Internet. Like, 5 years ago this guy might have actually gotten some support, but now? He's an idiot, whoever it was (assuming that it was intentional of course).

Also, furries with a persecution complex who like to invoke Godwin's law are going to have a new anecdote. Thanks a lot.

**timetowaste85**

Medium of Death wrote:
It's a pretty creepy, freaky hobby so it's undoubtedly attracts some nutjobs.

It's just one of those things that I just can't comprehend the appeal, like male MLP fans.

It actually repulses me.

First against the wall...

Actually, I feel more weirded out by grown men who like MLP than furries. Does this count as cleaning out the gene pool? Or is it more pest control related?

**the shrouded lord**

well then, I see someone decided that they weren't going to complain about the animal problem and took it into their own hands.

**CptJake**

Did anyone else start to hear the Bloodhound Gang's 'The Bad Touch' when they read the article?

**timetowaste85**

Oh God, I had forgotten that song. Is it the theme song for furries? Seems like it should be.

Followed by Uncle Kracker's 'No Stranger to Shame'.