Petition Of The Day

Nearly 5000 people have signed a petition calling on the New York City Council to write new fire safety laws after last week's high-rise fire in Hell's Kitchen claimed the life of a newlywed gay man and severely injured his husband. The two men were found in the emergency stairwell. The FDNY says that in most high-rise fires, it is safer to remain in your apartment than attempt to flee via the emergency stairs. Petitioners are demanding that all such buildings install public address systems that building management or firefighters can use to advise residents. Recently elected and openly gay City Councilman Corey Johnson, whose district includes Hell's Kitchen, will hold an 11am press conference on Monday at City Hall to announce the introduction of a bill requiring "additional safety measures in high-rise residential buildings." 

RELATED: An online fundraiser for the still-hospitalized victim has netted over $66,000 at this writing.