state of shock
Tonight I had the misfortune to see something no one should have to see - my neighbor’s house burned down.
It’s all a bit strange, and although I watched it happen, it doesn’t quite feel real. Although I put my time in for the day, I left work earlier than usual because of a headache. I came home and let my dog out, and changed clothes so I could work out by playing DDR. I wanted to work out, and I figured if working out made the headache worse, I could always just stop and relax. I got on the computer and checked my email, then went to let my dog in. When I did, I noticed a smell of smoke in the air and strange shadows being cast on the ground. I knew something was wrong, so I walked down the back steps and looked at the duplex to the north. There, from the bottom of the house to over halfway up, the side of the duplex was engulfed in flames. I ran back in and grabbed my phone, then ran back out and dialed 911. After the call, I went through the house and out front.
There were a number of people stopped on the road and running around, and I realized someone had already probably called 911, but it made me feel better to make sure no one had forgotten to do that. I spent quite a while on the porch, watched the flames, then watched the fire department arrive and start to put it out. I heard someone say that everyone had gotten out ok, which turned out to be true, thankfully. I worked out eventually, and took a shower. I went out and finally met my neighbor, a man I’d lived next to for over a year and had only seen maybe a handful of times.
The aftermath of the fire is devastating to look at, and humbling. In a short period of time, the people next door have had their world turned upside down. It was horrendous to watch; I can’t imagine the experience of it myself, nor would I want to. It’s one thing to think about how life could change one way or the other at any moment; it’s another to see it and think that but for the grace of God, there I go.
I offered my assistance, but fortunately my neighbors have relatives to help them out in their time of need. I hope everything goes alright for them, as well as it can, anyway. I had so much I wanted to write tonight, but now, I think it will wait a day or two.