Nineteen Hospitalized After "Intentional" Gas Leak At Chicago Furry Convention

Via the Chicago Tribune:

Several thousand people were evacuated from a Hyatt hotel in suburban Rosemont when an “intentional” chlorine gas leak at a convention led to 19 people being hospitalized early Sunday morning. 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. The annual weekendlong convention, which celebrates art, literature and performance based around anthropomorphic animals, draws thousands of people every year, according to the Midwest FurFest website.

(Tipped by JMG reader Ray)

NJ Cops Shut Down Furry Event

Word is just getting out that local New Jersey cops shut down a Memorial Day barbeque for about 200 "furries" after the venue got overcrowded. Oh, and two of the furries had engaged in public "inappropriate behavior."

According to posts on the Furaffinity site, the couple’s actions took place in front of many people in the middle of the day, including children. West Windsor Lt. Pat McCormack said police were called to the party but refused to go into further detail, saying the issue was being handled as a “personnel matter.” A YouTube video of the party, which showed guests grilling and dancing to music, drew several critical comments and video responses from self-described furries lambasting the two people involved in the incident. An online fundraising campaign was started after the barbecue and had raised close to $2,500 as of yesterday afternoon, according to the fundraising site at ChipIn.com. “Concerned furries have started this fundraiser to help the Twin ‘W’ Rescue Squad, which used to host the NJ FurBQ, recover some of the funds that were lost during some recent unfortunate events,” the website read.

Organizers concede that the event was overcrowded.

There's No Furries In Baseball

The NY Mets were "justifiably freaked out" to realize they were staying in the same hotel as a furry convention during this week's away games in Pittsburgh. Above, Mets announcer Kevin Burkhardt poses with a beaver. I think that's a beaver. Anthrocon 2009 continues through Sunday. Pittsburgh continues in last place.