Where there's smoke...

[xiane]

Was online around 1am, talking to djdayglo, when Rob and I got a horrible need to get food. I figured a run to the border was in order. On the way there, Rob and I passed through something that we thought was fog at first, until we got a whiff and realized it was smoke, and bad-smelling smoke at that. We figured it was probably someone's fireplace with a damp log on it, and paid it not much more mind.
After an abortive attempt to get food at Taco Bell, and success at Burger King [don't get me started on how that was], we started on the trek back home. However, when we got to the place where the smoke had been before, it was now MUCH worse. We decided that turning around and seeing where the smoke was coming from might be a good idea, and we turned down a side road to see what we could see.
There, the smoke was quite thick and smelled pretty heavy. We drove slowly past houses, looking at each one to see what we could find. Finally at one white house, we saw large amounts of smoke - but it wasn't until we pulled past it that we saw flames pouring out the side window.

Um, holy shit, y'all.

So I told Rob to pull over and put his hazards on, and he called 911 and gave them approximate directions [at the time we weren't sure what the address was] - and we debated what to do. He thought that there hadn't been any cars in the driveway, but I wasn't sure... we decided that turning around and parking on the opposite side was a good plan, and Rob laid on his horn to see if anyone would wake up. I had tried to get out of the car before we turned around, to see how bad it was and maybe if anyone was there, but Rob had stopped me because of the smoke. I was preparing to put my hoodie over my mouth and try running out there when a cop showed up and jumped out to do exactly that. Let me tell you, the response from the emergency people was amazingly fast. The cops were there in like 2-3 minutes, and the FD not much later.

We were directed to pull into a driveway across the street - at first the cop directing us wanted us to leave, but we thought that the FD might want to talk to us - and we also wanted to make sure they didn't get weirded out if we left the scene, either.

Houses burn up so quickly. No one was there - the family was away, up in the mountains, but the sister of the woman that lived there lived next door and was able to contact the family and verify that no one was home. She offered several times for us to come in and get warm - southern hospitality, but also a point of human contact, too - but we decided that staying in the car was probably for the best, in case the officials needed to talk to us.

Houses burn quickly, but the details take forever to finish. Cutting holes in the roof to let out smoke and pour in water. Smashing out windows or blowing the smoke out so that the firemen could check each room. Rolling up a million hoses, filling out paperwork, directing the flow of FD and PD.

We reported the fire at 1:33. We got home a short while ago, almost 4:30.
We're tired, but I expect the exhaustion is just beginning for that poor family. I'm glad we thought to go check it out. I just wish we'd been able to get there in time to help save the place.

Everyone, please be safe.

Comments

[crossbonesdj.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad people like you are in the world...people who actually help when there is a need.

thank you

[ladylizbet.livejournal.com]

Just think, if you didn't find the source and call 911, there might be an even worse situation. I'm glad someone like you found it Sweetie.

xx

[optimooseprime.livejournal.com]

You get a praise. No Kitty Genovice incidents in your nieghborhood.

[eclectic-circle.livejournal.com]

What a beautiful thing to do for someone! As well as an intense situation with authorities after you do speak up and help, its unfortunate to have justifiably bad feelings against the law when you're only extending a helping hand. May it come back to you in 10fold!

[jukebox-heroine.livejournal.com]

oh no...that's awful. you were definitely an angel though.

[playright.livejournal.com]

I think to myself how genuinely wonderful the people in my life are... Then I am reminded of the sparkling souls that reside in the hearts of my divas, and how amazing it is that I am privy to them.
The world in general is better for your presence...
People like you and Rob make my heart smile.

[6-and-66.livejournal.com]

It's wonderful what you did...too many people don't wanna be bothered, and will watch something like that but do nothin to help.
And that poor family... I hope they had good insurance. Too many families don't recover from a thing like that.

[ashbet]

Ohmygosh . . . I'm so glad that you saw it and reported it . . . I'm sure that the people whose house it was are grateful. I pray that they had insurance . . . what a nightmare, to come home to a gutted house. At least you were able to get the firemen in, so hopefully it won't be a complete loss.

You guys rock, hon.

**hugs**

-- A <3

Burning' Down The House (so inappropriate but it's what I thought of!)

[ex-carnaval-619.livejournal.com]

Even if I'm freaked out about a scene, I always stop - people have stopped for me on numerous occaisions - that's awesome that you did and even thought about risking your safety. Of course I don't expect any less from you.

xoxoxo

:)

[stripey-girl.livejournal.com]

You two are heroes!

[redzshadow.livejournal.com]

Wow! I am so glad nobody was in there. That was a wonderful thing you guys did!

[christamor.livejournal.com]

Great that you stopped but Rob was right about you not going in. It's really dangerous and I wouldn't go in without proper equipment. Response time to a fire is really fast inside the city limits. It's out in the county that response times are longer. The only paid station that is staffed 24/7 is in the city. The volly fire departments take longer unless they are having a meeting at the time. BTW, I can suck a 30 min air tank dry in 10 mins. That's why I don't fight fire.

[ismene.livejournal.com]

I'm glad there are people like you who will go out of their way to help others. Pity there aren't more.