Window Washer Rescue Downtown Cleveland

A window washer was rescued Monday morning after becoming stranded while dangling outside a Cleveland building. It happened shortly before 11 a.m. on E. 9th Street and Teresa Court.

Window washer rescued in downtown Cleveland (Downtown Cleveland, OH) - A window washer was plucked from the side of a downtown Cleveland building in a dramatic rescue Monday. Firefighters performed a rope rescue at East 9th and Theresa Lane. They were called to the scene around 10:15 a.m. It's believed an equipment malfunction left the worker stranded about stories up. Firefighters went on the roof and lowered him down. He was not injured and went back to work.

Cleveland firefighters helped rescue a window washer who became trapped on a ledge downtown by setting up a rope system. When crews arrived, they found the window washer on a ledge on the 13th floor of a building at East 9th Street and Theresa Court. The man told emergency crews that his carabiner clip broke, but he wasn't concerned about falling and was just going to continue cleaning.

Cleveland firefighters rescued a window washer who was stuck on the 13th floor ledge of a downtown building. The man became trapped about 10:20 a.m. Monday outside the IMG Center on East 9th Street near Theresa Court.

Cleveland fire spokesman Larry Gray said the crew decided the best way to help the man was by safely bringing him down. He was on the ledge for a total of about 30 minutes, authorities said. EMS checked out the man and he was found to be in good condition.

He was stuck for about a half hour before firefighters arrived. The man was washing windows when the hook connecting him to his harness broke, fire officials said. Cleveland firefighters went to the roof and set up a pulley system so the man could scale the building and lower himself to the ground. The man was checked by paramedics and then went back to work. East 9th street was partially blocked during the rescue.

Meet The Super Human Window Cleaner

Super human, Mark Vaz broke a world record while managing to keep doing his day job... and he’s still running!

This guy ran 90 marathons in 90 days: Mark Vaz broke a world record while managing to keep doing his day job... and he’s still running! Could you run a marathon and then go to work? Maybe once, but could you do that for 90 days? That's what this guy has done, and he's still going.

Mark Vaz has broken the official Guinness World Record for most marathons run on consecutive days – previously 52 – and he now hopes to smash the record for most marathons run in one year, which currently sits at 239. He hopes to run 400 by running more than one marathon some days.

The Englishman has been doing all this while still working as a window cleaner. We spoke to the marathon man to find out why he decided to take up the challenge.

So first off, how did it feel to finish your 90th Marathon?

After the MBNA Chester Marathon I was really, really emotional, the last two miles in particular, as it was coming to an end. 90 marathons in 90 days was the goal, but I've kept going to reach 100 marathons in 100 days.

But you've decided to keep on running to break another record?

I've kept on running and my plan is to run 400 marathons in a year. At the moment I'm running from Stafford to London. That's 140 miles (225km)  in three days. Yesterday I ran 70 miles (112km), and today I'll run 53. It's not a huge amount of miles, but it's a good slog. The 70 miles was difficult, not so much physically but mentally. Around mile 50 I took a tantrum, it was really difficult.

Finishing the 90th marathon was emotional.

That's quite a challenge. Why are you doing this, and why was 90 the initial goal?

I decided to take up the challenge to raise money for two charities – Tommy's The Baby Charity and Katherine House Hospice. The idea to run 90 came into my head as I wanted to raise £90,000. Pregnancy also lasts nine months, so the nine connection, and I also really wanted to see what my body could cope with. I never doubted I would complete the challenge, when I decide to do something I will do it – I just keep going. I never doubted I would complete the challenge.

Pain as Mark Vaz reaches the finish line.

Did you have much experience of running before this?

I've run since I was young, and realised early on that I was good at distances. I hadn't done an official marathon before, but had regularly run 20 miles (32km) on my own. My previous marathon time was 4.5 hours but my quickest time in this challenge happened on day 60 – 2h 56m.

How did you train for the challenge?

I trained for eight months before the challenge started by running and going to the gym. I lifted weights in the gym to strengthen my muscles and bones. I also didn't overdo it. I would run maybe 18 miles (28km) then have a day off, the key was consistency and balance.

Thumbs up from Vaz in Chester.

What have been the toughest and best parts?

The challenge was most difficult at the beginning. On the evening after day three I had terrible pins and needles in the back of my legs, I was in so much pain. But it was my body adapting to the increased mileage; it's getting so much easier.

Have you had to eat a lot more to cope with all the mileage you're covering?

I've been drinking lots of milk, eating pasta, fish, fruit, vegetables – all the healthy stuff. I've eaten a few bits of junk food but mainly to get my calories up. I've had to eat a lot more than usual! My body is adapting to the challenge!

The end of the marathon was emotional.

Of course we have to know, how many pairs trainers have you gone through?

I've gone through 14 pairs of trainers so far but have been sponsored by New Balance, who send me new pairs. That's been a real help.

And will we see you in the Guinness Book of Records?

Guinness knows about the record and I will send away all my times when I have finally finished.

Follow Mark's journey on Facebook and visit his fundraising page. More info here.

Window Cleaner Honoured

Window cleaner Gareth Salmon survived explosions and smoke to save an elderly woman from her burning flat. David Domoney, from ITVs Love your Garden, Gareth Salmon and Chief Fire & Rescue Advisor CFO Peter Holland.

Ruislip father honoured for saving woman from flat fire: A Ruislip window cleaner has been honoured after saving an elderly woman's life rescuing her from a burning flat. Gareth Salmon, 39, of Marlborough Avenue, was cleaning a block of flats when he noticed smoke coming from one of the windows. He immediately stopped what he was doing and rang all the bells of the flats to find out if someone was in there, and a neighbour told him an elderly woman was stuck inside.

The father-of-two said, "I kicked the front door down and got through all the smoke. I had to crawl along the floor for so far, but I wasn’t able to breathe and I couldn’t reach her." Finally gaining access after flames forced him to retreat, an explosion blew him out of the door. Not giving up, he re-entered the property and saved the woman. “The gas had exploded, so that threw me back out the door," he said.

“I went back in but it was still full of smoke and luckily I stumbled over her as she was lying in the hallway, and I think because she was lying down she was still ok. “She was burnt but I managed to pick her up and get myself out through the kitchen and on to the balcony and get her out. About a minute after that it exploded so there was a big fireball out the window, and it just completely wiped out the flat - I was lucky really!”

Brave Mr Salmon didn't think twice about saving the woman and didn't have “time to take in what was happening”. He said: “I was just concentrating. Because I could hear her, I was just determined to get her out. “I was thinking: 'I’ve got to get her before the fire gets any worse.' There’s no way I couldn’t go in.”

The dramatic moments all happened on New Years Eve of 2013-2014, which ended with the woman being airlifted to hospital and London Fire Brigade tackling the blaze. Luckily Mr Salmon wasn't hurt at all, and said: “I was just lucky… when I went in, I just put a cloth around my mouth and I didn’t get any smoke inhalation.”

Spirit of Fire Awards: Mr Salmon was awarded with the title of Adult Hero at the star-studded Spirit of Fire Awards 2015, which took place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel on October 2, hosted by The Fire Fighters Charity, and presented by BBC newsreader Nicholas Owen.

The Spirit of Fire Awards are supported by Infographics UK Ltd, the developer of FireWatch and FloSuite software for the Fire & Rescue Service, and honour members of the fire community and members of the public by recognising acts of astonishing courage and bravery, as well as dedication to The Fire Fighters Charity.

A stellar line-up of award presenters included comedian Russell Howard; actors Niamh McGrady, Bhasker Patel and John Partridge; sports presenter Diana Binks; TV gardener David Domoney; and Great British Bake Off contestant Mat Riley.

The awards were followed by a Downing Street reception for nominees, hosted by Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. He said: “I’ve been inspired by the accounts of self-sacrifice and dedication that the winners and nominees of this year’s Spirit of Fire awards have shown, both at individual incidents and in their support for the Fire Fighters Charity.

“This charity provides world-class support and treatment for serving and retired firefighters, as well as their families, and it is in recognition of this that we continue to support its work. I would like to congratulate all those involved in the awards, and to thank them for all their hard work and commitment.”

Receiving the accolade was “mixed emotions” for humble Mr Salmon. He said: “You go there and the room is full of firefighters who do it full-time for a living, and you think really, they should be getting all the honour. “But it’s still really nice to be recognised for what you’ve done.”

Window Cleaner Tattoos A Permanent Reminder

TRIBUTE: the tattoo on window cleaner, Danny Everill's chest and, right, Jordan himself.

Touching tribute as heart attack teen Jordan is immortalised in ink: The step-father of heart attack victim Jordan Burndred now has a permanent reminder of the 17-year-old - tattooed on his chest. Jordan, who hoped to become a Football League referee, lost his fight for life last week after suffering a heart attack while on holiday in Turkey with his family. Now step-dad Danny Everill has had Jordan's image inked on to his chest as a tribute to the popular teenager. Underneath are the words 'See you on the other side'.

Danny, a 28-year-old window cleaner, from Biddulph, said: "I had the tattoo because I wanted Jordan to be close to my heart. The artistry is out-of-this world. I'm delighted and overwhelmed by how fantastic it is. "The family love the tattoo and think it's perfect. It's another thing that will help keep his memory alive." The detailed image was created by tattoo artist Brad Fleming at his studio - Dead 2 Rights - in Fenton, and took more than three hours to complete. He said: "I think it's a brilliant tribute. I've done tattoo portraits of people in the past, but this is the first time I've been asked to do something like this as a permanent memorial to someone."

This Cat’s Best Friend Is the Window Washer

This hilarious video was filmed by Rina Takei, the owner of the cat believed to be called Guinness, on the monthly visit from the window cleaner. In the clip the feline is filmed running along the lower part of the window while inside a high-rise building in Pimlico, London and following the window cleaner with his eyes.

This Cat’s Best Friend Is the Window Washer: YouTube user Rina Takei’s channel is filled with videos of house cat Guinness playing with the man dangling outside the fourth story window. The cat’s interest is seemingly piqued the moment the big black safety rope appears out the window with the furball trying to bat at it through the glass.

When the man that the video description calls “Window Cleaning Uncle” appears, the fun really gets started. While the window is cleaned, the cat goes to town trying to either play with the squeegee or decimate the invader, depending on what you think about cats and their motives. The cleaner, protected from the cat’s assault by a sheet of glass, is more than happy to play along. If their friendship (or ongoing war) gets any cuter they might have to take it to the next level—which is the next floor, of course.

Cat and window cleaner become BFFs after months of meeting at same window:  Guinness the cat may be a city slicker but he's got a soft spot for one human that he's made friends with since he moved into his new apartment. It all started for Guinness and the window cleaner when Guinness was just a kitten and started to interact with the abseiling window cleaner who comes to the building every week, but as the weeks and months went by, the two started developing a fun relationship and now, according to Guinness' owner Rina Takei, he waits every week for his 'Uncle' to appear at the window and say hello.

Black Diamond Squeegee Rubber

*Since posting this review I will no longer be using Black Diamond squeegee rubber. I had a bad batch sent & afterwards a batch that didn't perform as well as the original samples that were sent. Although the manufacturers sent me a replacement pack, the rubber was not as good as the original & no follow up has been made to determine what was the cause of rubber being so bad.

Black Diamond squeegee rubber.

Black Diamond Squeegee Rubber: I have to admit, I wasn't expecting too much from this rubber. Having tried various samples of rubber the last couple of years... I've been extremely disappointed with the quality & duration. I thought the main idea was to improve upon or better an existing product! Alas, having another bunch of samples sent seemed to be (in my mind) time wasting on the job or having it 'die' on me within a couple of hours when I'm furthest from the van!

I'm on my last trial piece from Scott Denning who kindly sent me 3x 18" hard rubber lengths to try (as Spain is a hotter climate). I have been pleasantly surprised at what an outstanding rubber this is. It feels & looks at first like a Pulex rubber, but with what seems to be a sharper edge for a longer duration. It also has a slip that out performs most others in it's class.

On average it has double the life of a Pulex or Ettore squeegee rubber & doesn't seem to give up the ghost near the end either. You can still feel it trying to give the best performance even when most of the others have definitely called it a day.

If you haven't tried it, it's worth a go. I'm sufficiently impressed to be ordering more. You can get some by contacting:

Scott Denning in the UK here.

John Winters in Germany & Central Europe here or here.

United States here.

Gummifabrikken is a supplier of a unique variety of rubber made products. Originally founded in Scandinavia by Casper Schjorring (pictured) in 2001, the name Gummifabrikken (meaning “rubber factory” in Danish) was chosen to brand the company. In 2009 they opened the first American headquarters in Florida and between then and now have expanded opening production in China as well. All three locations supply a wide range of manufacturers and distributors worldwide with a vast variety of rubber made products. Since the beginning in 2002 they have based production on being an original equipment manufacture also making G-Dive latex seals. Gummifabrikken specialize in both dipping and pressure molding with both natural rubber, compounds and oil based products.

London Window Cleaner Loses Balance & His Life

Flowers and an Arsenal scarf left around the basement area of the Noel Road property in London. David Bluring a local window cleaner fell after losing his balance.

A “kind and lovely” window cleaner who had worked in Islington since he was just 16 tragically died after falling from the roof of a five-storey house in Angel. Father of two David Bluring, 58, who grew up in the borough but lived in Southgate, was cleaning the top-floor windows of the property in Noel Road at around 3pm last Thursday when he lost his balance and fell around 50 feet.

Mr Bluring was one of five children who spent their childhood on the Peabody estate, off Essex Road. It is unclear what caused the fall, but a handle appeared to be missing from a top-floor window. Passers-by suggested Mr Bluring may have lost his balance after the handle he was holding onto came away. 

The window cleaner, who fell into the basement area in front of the property, was not using a ladder at the time and appears not to have taken any other safety precautions. Police say they are not treating the incident as suspicious at this stage.

The Noel Road house where Mr Bluring fell.

Geoffrey Arden, 85, who owns the house, said he had opened the door to Mr Bluring earlier that day. “He seemed perfectly normal,” he said. “I had only met him once or twice. He had been our window cleaner for about a year after he was recommended to us by neighbours. He was very conscientious. “How he lost his balance I don’t know. It’s a great tragedy.”

The pensioner said he had never seen Mr Bluring use a ladder, and that he had climbed on to the roof out of the top-floor window. Dave Branch, a builder who was working in a house opposite and was said to have tried to come to Mr Bluring’s aid after witnessing the fall, left a bunch of flowers and a card at the scene. It said: “So sorry I couldn’t help you more. My thoughts are with you and your family. Rest in peace.”

Wilton Square resident Isobel Waller, one of Mr Bluring’s customers of 17 years, said she and her husband Anthony had seen him just days before his death. “He was laughing and joking, full of vitality and acute observations of life,” she said.

A message left at the scene in Angel.

“Dave Burling was one of the first people my husband and I met when we moved to Wilton Square in 1998. “He was always ready for a chat and we would discuss the issues of the day over a cup of coffee when he came to do our windows. He kept a friendly eye on people living on their own or who needed a bit of help.” “We will miss him enormously,” she added.

Another customer, Arlington Square resident Kathleen Bondar, described Mr Bluring as a “nice, cheerful and friendly man”. “He was such a nice, cheerful and friendly man whom I trusted so easily around my home,” she added. “He worked hard and carefully and always had a kind, lovely manner. This is a tragedy for all who knew him.”

Police and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London Air Ambulance attended the incident but were unable to save the 58-year-old. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Enquiries into the circumstances of the death are being carried out by officers from Islington Council and the Health and Safety Executive. Mr Bluring is survived by son Damian, 31, daughter Sam, 30 and his wife Sharon.