What started as a crappy weekend got much worse Saturday evening. If you saw my Pit thread on Saturday, you might have known I was already in a foul mood. I think my wife was trying to cheer me up by playing a game of dominoes with me. Otherwise we would have been in bed, had it been a weeknight we would have definitely been in bed. Lately I’m out as soon as my body assumes anything like a horizontal position.
At just before ten my son went to use the bathroom. He immediately came out and said there was smoke in the bathroom. My wife and I jumped up and sure enough there is smoke coming from beneath the fixtures in the bathroom. I should mention here that our apartment is above two garages and a laundry room. I grab the fire extinguisher, which was on my computer desk and tell my wife to call 911, I also heard the boys through the front door.
As I ran down the stairs I looked over the railing towards the laundry room, I didn’t see any smoke. I had Jock (the oldest take the boys across the street) and ran on to the garage. There was smoke coming around the doors of the second garage. I opened it and the back wall was on fire. There was also fire beginning to burn the rear of my buddy Howie’s car. Not thinking I ran in trying to put out the fire, but there was apparently fire overhead as debris was raining on me immediately. My wife called for me to come out, which I was already doing. As we were crossing the street, the fire department began pulling up.
As we stood on the street with others form the building seeking to comfort each other the firemen began outing out the fire. I have no idea how long that took. My memory is kind of sketchy on what all took place. But I do remember the kindness of my neighbors from down the street; our kids play with one another. You see; we had really left with only what we had on. Not a one of was wearing shoes. I remember a neighbor handing me coffee and shoes, and someone else a jacket.
The Red Cross showed up, as the firemen were finishing. They (the firemen) allowed us back in for a few minutes to grab a few things. I was able to grab my wallet and my wife purse, but that was about it. The Red Cross gave us lodging, and a credit card for food. But even then I knew that the most important stuff, my family, had survived everything else was secondary.
I’ve been back twice since then, it’s surprisingly intact, and we’ll be able to salvage most of our possessions. We’re looking for somewhere in the same neighborhood, because our neighbors have proved themselves worthy of the title friend.
Please support your Fire Department and the Red Cross.
That’s it, right there. Hug your family, and be thankful for your good fortune in the midst of hardship. My sister had a fire in her house a few months ago, and the first I heard of it was when my other sister called crying because there were firetrucks at the home (a neighbor had called them) but no one knew where my sister was. She ended up being out, but it was really scary not knowing. I hope you’re able to find something nearby, you guys will be in my thoughts.
Yeah, those gay fires are the most stubborn and insidious of all!
Seriously, glad to hear everyone is all right. I’m happy to say that every fire truck I see on the road gets the high sign from me. When I see local smoke eaters in the store or on the street, I always make sure to thank them for what they do or share my favorite firefighter joke with them:
Always gets a larf.
More than anything, be sure to always pull to the right when the fire trucks are in your rear view mirror. DO NOT pull into the left turn pocket or center meridian, this is the alternate roadspace that all emergency vehicles need to circumnavigate traffic congestion.
That, and be sure to empty your dryer’s lint trap regularly.
Good to here everyone is OK. Isn’t the Red Cross a charity, i.e. they do their work for free? I would think they need supporting the most, sounds like they really looked after you. Hope everything works out for you.
Sorry **Herge I didn’t see you question before now. Yep, it’s mostly volunteers, including the guys who came out to the fire, though I was told when I went to their office Monday that they do have some paid staff. They can look for donations from me.
Stuffy love, I’m sorry I’m just seeing this now after talking to you in IM.
Let me know if you guys need anything and I will send it right out. IIRC your boys and mine are about the same age. Even if it’s just small stuff to keep them occupied until you find a place and get situated. I think I still have your address, but I’m not sure if that will help since you aren’t staying there right now.
Hopefully I will see you online again soon.
It’s amazing how people see straight through tragedies when they have things to be thankful about. My oldest brother was about 3 weeks old when my mom and dad’s first house burnt down. All they had after that was their vehicle and what they were wearing.