Some time around 10 p.m. last night I smelled wood burning. Not unusual around here, It's Summer and people have bonfires in their backyards. Then I heard a firetruck sirens and it was pretty close. This wasn't a bonfire. It was a house on fire and it was right around the corner on the main drag, Route 9. I got an email from Chris and Lise of the local citizen news site, iBrattleboro, asking if I was okay, that the fire was 3 alarms and evacuations were planned but we couldn't find out exactly what was burning.
At 11:15 our power went out. The flashing lights were visible through the trees just to the south of us. The smell was acrid and I could barely make out the smoke against the overcast sky. Traffic was diverted off Route 9 through the Shire where drivers promptly got lost. I called Lise (thank gods for good old-fashioned corded phones) to report what I knew and from info said over their scanner we figured out whose house it was and that nobody was hurt. The homeowners had been flooded out last year and now this. But at least everyone- animals included- were out of the house.
Neighbors were coming out onto the street with flashlights, standing around speculating and redirecting the drivers out of our deadend and back through to where they could rejoin Route 9.
With no power and no live local radio to tune in I took my flashlight and went to bed to read. There was too much going on to sleep; trucks and cars and people on foot were going past my window out back. At 2:15 the power came back on. Sometime around 3 I finally fell asleep.
This morning the reports say it was the Diamondstones' home. What a terrible loss after all they went through last year with Irene's flooding.
And boyo, our Fire Dept. has been kept busy this last year and some.
The best that can be said is that nobody's hurt. Physically, anyway.
MYSTERIOUS GARDEN
1 year ago
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8 comments:
The aftermath to a tragedy is difficult, but thankfully, they do have an aftermath.
I'm glad you're okay, but I'm sorry for their misfortune. It is good no one was hurt--at least, physically, as you said.
Well they survived it and that is THE most important thing. What a way to finish off your day though. Glad you were safe and sound.
Talk about unnerving. Thank god there weren't any casualties (including the animals -- that makes me happy)... but oh, what rotten luck. I hope their insurance will cover hotels or rent. Man, the loss of sentimental stuff is rotten. Glad you're okay, Laura. If not a little shaken up and tired.
The smell of smoke in the night is on the mind of everyone in prairie areas of this state, especially this time of year. It's why we cut fire breaks and loan each other goats. Good cautionary account!
The good news is that everyone, including the dog, is okay. The bad news is that reports are that they had no insurance. I don't know how that's possible but that's what's reported. Police and fire officials are there investigating for cause and to rule out arson. Between official vehicles and rubbernecking the area is a bottleneck of traffic. No word on where the Diamondstones are or what efforts will be made to help them yet.
Happy that the pets and their humans are okay. Fires scare the crap out of me- we had a garage fire when I was about 8 and it almost caught the house. Which means it would have been my room, since it faced the garage. But, can someone please tell me WHY people have bonfires in the summer when it's HOT to begin with????? Now go get some rest, you're going to need it for tomorrow!
Niecely- fires scare me, too. They should scare everyone. Nobody got sleep around here and I can't rest until tonight. There's my Gal Friday out shopping now and then I have to prep cook for tomorrow. Bed early tonight! ugh.
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