Well, it is nearly 4 am and my neighbors who live across the street are standing in the need of prayers. Right now I am shaking so bad I can barely type, so I apologize in advance for any rambling or typos.
Nearly an hour ago we were awakened by my husbands pager going off. He is a volunteer fireman. He was already half dressed by the time the radio crackled announcing that fire dept. services were needed and where. When we heard the address, we both went running - it was close by and on our street. My husband was on the radio as he hit the door. It was our neighbors across the street.
At first he though it was the trailer itself. Fortunately it was not. The garage itself and their car though, was fully engulfed in flames. As soon as he made sure everyone was out of the house, he ran to the garage for his fire gear.
As I sit here now, there are still 4 fire trucks from 3 local departments parked on the road in front of my house, but the fire itself is out.
At this point all I know is that the garage and car were completely lost. The trailer itself did not catch fire, but the skirting on one side and the back are melted off. If there is other damage to the trailer I do not yet know. There was serious concern that the trailer might catch fire as the garage is so close. At least it was not attached.
Thankfully no one has been hurt. And the famiy still has their living quarters in tact. But I would ask that anyone who can to please pray for them. And thank God that it was not worse.
I'll try to let everyone know later in the day how they are doing. I know that any and all prayers would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kristen D.
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Comments: 30
Blessings and good luck - S.
I will also keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
The garage and car (which was parked in front of the garage) are both completely lost. Fortunately there was only "cosmetic" damage to the outside of the trailer - melted skirting and scorchmarks. When the trucks got there, they immediately started spraying the trailer first to cool it down and keep it from going up in flames as well. Then they attacked the car and garage. They had the fire basically out in less than an hour but continued to spray and watch it for a while so any hot spots could be dealt with. And they are pretty sure that the culprit that started the fire was an old freezer in the garage that short circuited. It was the only thing plugged in. But the family was able to go back into the house by about 6/6:30 this morning. The couple has 2 children as well as 2 small dogs - one of which just had puppies a couple of weeks ago. All are safe. I am so thankful that no one was hurt, including the firefighters.
One twist that makes this especially traumatic for this family is that the trailer is a temporary home for them. They lost their house to a fire less than 2 years ago, and are waiting for remodeling/rebuilding to be finished. So this is the 2nd fire for them in less than 2 years time. I don't know if they have insurance or not, but my guess is that they probably did? I can't say for sure.
Janet and Walker, I'm so glad your fires were contained. It is so devastating to a family to lose a home like that. I know how scary a fire can be - whether it is your own home, or a neighbors. In the last 7 months, there have been 4 fires within a block from our house. Only 2 were actual structure fires, one being across the one across the street this morning, and the other being a house fire 7 months ago just a block away (caused by a space heater). The other 2 were a brush fire that got a little out of hand, and a water heater that tried to catch fire. The flipside of that irony is that there are 3 firefighters (my husband + 2 others) on our block (LOL).
Even then, they cant do anything without water, so they have to wait for the trucks. But at least being there on scene and ready, they were able to grab the hoses and start spraying the fire as soon as the truck pulled up.
Thom, it certainly was a long night. Which is why I went back to bed at 7 this morning and slept for 4 more hours, lol.
Trish, thank your for your concern for us as well. Yes, we do know (too well) what smoke can do to the lungs - even when exposed for only a few minutes. My husband has coughed for days just from getting too close to the smoke for a few minutes without his mask. And of course, I'm especially sensitive to it because both I and my 7 year old son have asthma. So other than talking to the family for a little while, the only real help I can offer is prayer. And fortunately, I know that prayer is a VERY powerful thing and does work miracles indeed. MANY prayers were answered this morning - including that all 3 of my kids slept through the whole scene.
And yes, Lisa, God was definitely already there! It was the mother in the family who heard the loud crack and woke up. She woke up her husband and they got the kids out and called 911. We didn't hear it until the pager went off to signal the FD. My husband looked out the bedroom window when they gave the address, and from that view it looked like the trailer itself was engulfed. He went running as he was radioing in what he could see. My brother in law was on his heels as they ran out the front door and headed for the trailer to make sure everyone was out. They were - and they were across the yard at a safe distance.
Sveta, Thom, Patricia, Jessie, Barb, Esther, Lisa, Debra, Janet, Walker, Trish, Tab, and Kathleen, THANK YOU ALL so much for your prayers and concern. Please continue to pray as the next few days will probably be difficult as well trying to recover and deal with their losses.
I will continue to keep you all posted as I can.
I only live a few blocks away.
Well I'm glad that they are all Okay.....I think God was watching over them.
But I will keep them in my prayers.
keep me an the rest of us posted.
I probably would have heard before but I was sleeping, I slept through the entire thing WOW!!!
I will be praying also for Patrick an the other firefighters...thats dangerous stuff to deal with.
Keep us posted!!!!!!!
Yes, Leah, I am very thankful that my husband was there along with the two other firemen that live close to us..... even if it is kinda scary to watch your husband (and friends too) running toward the fire when everyone else is running away!
God has certainly been with all of us today!
Keep praying for them, they do need support and prayers still, and will for a while.
I plan to post an update article soon to let everyone know how things are today.
Again, thanks so much to all of you!