Here’s What That Red ‘X’ On The Front Of A Building Means

Slater and Marjo were talking about Slater's eye stye this morning and how it's a common misnomer that they're contagious. Wanna know what else is commonly misunderstood? Do you ever see those red "X" markings on a house or a building? People often think that this means the building is to be razed. In actuality, it means that the structure has been deemed unsafe for emergency personnel, police, fire, ems, etc.

Slater caught up with Pittsfield Fire Deputy Chief Neil Myers on Tuesday with some more questions about the red "X".

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"The inspection bureau generally has a checklist that they go over that has different criteria that they'll go through in conjunction with the Chief, they'll do a walkthrough and if there are conditions that could directly kill somebody, then it gets a red X.", said Myers. "There are about six structures in Pittsfield that are currently marked with a red X. Once a vacant building is brought up to code, the red X can be removed. If there was ever a fire in a structure marked with a red X, then we would maintain exterior operations only, unless there is somebody inside and we feel like we can take the risk to save a life, we'll weigh the options at the scene."

Myers also referenced the fact that the cold storage building fire in Worcester, MA in December of '99 was a vacant building. He believed that the building was marked; however, there was word that there were two homeless people inside, so they sent guys in to search. Six firefighters perished in that blaze. "That's why we use those Red X's, so we don't lose firefighters."