Twitter is a great tool for quick data dissemination; take this morning’s news about the Tune Inn fire.  Had it not been for Twitter, we might not have found out about the fire until at least 9:05 am and we wouldn’t have posted about it.  That said, it seems as if the jury is still out as to whether we’re able to effectively use Twitter as a tool for reliable information gathering.

The first reports about the Tune Inn indicated that the restaurant had burned to the ground. Reports then came in that everyone needed to relax, that it was simply a grease fire. However, moments later, Twitter revealed that the fire was so intense that it blew out a window.

Following that comforting news, we learned that the fire had only charred the kitchen and that the bar would be fully functional within two weeks.  We’re not quite sure how that determination was made by a picture taken 200 yards away, but whatever, it came from Twitter, so it must have been accurate.

About an hour later, reports surfaced that the damage was more extensive than originally anticipated and that the Tune Inn would be shut down for two months.  Again, we have no idea who’s making these calls, but it sounded more official the second time.

We then found out via 140 characters that a Tune Inn staffer, who was present for the fire, had the wherewithal to shut the door of the kitchen in order to spare the bar.  However, we’re now learning that the window was shattered by firefighters who were unable to gain access into the restaurant – which is strange, especially if someone was in the kitchen when the fire started.  Perhaps they walked out and locked the door.

Long story short, Twitter is great, but long form journalism is slightly more dependable.