Oh my gosh - our neighbors house burned down last night

[connorlevismom]

I was sleeping and was dreaming about cop cars with their sirens going. I suddenly woke to realise that it was not a dream, that those sirens were really close. I said to DH, "what is going on" and looked out the window from my bed and just saw this orange glow....it was freaky. I said "oh my god" and jumped out of bed. I looked out my bedroom window and there was a house a few doors down completely on fire. There were about 6 fire trucks lining the street and it was just engulfed in flames.

The really freaky part was when I originally woke, the orange glow that we both saw, was coming from a different area, a developement right behind our house. It was there and was gone really fast. I keep second guessing myeslf that it was actually real because it was gone so fast. The area that it came from is a new developement with all new homes and a lot of construction. So then I was really nervous that there was someone in the area that was starting fires. I mean really, what are the odds that at 3 in the morning, two different homes or places would be in fire at the exact same time?

It is now 7AM and the fire trucks are still over there working on the house. It was on the news and everyone made it out alright which was a huge sigh of relief. It also melted the siding on the homes on either side of it. My sister is a fire fighter a few suburbs over so I am going to call her this morning and see if she can find out what they think started it, and if there was really another fire.

Kind of a crazy morning! I want to do something for this family but I don't know what to do. At this point, I don't even know where they are. What can our family do for their family?

Kristine

 

[MushyMushy]

This just happened in our neighborhood, resulting in the loss of two children.

There were a few fundraisers for the families involved (a child living in the home was killed and a child spending the night was killed), so we participated in all of them. There was really nothing we could do directly because the family immediately moved away. If we could, I would have given a gift card to Walmart to help them replace clothing and other necessities.

 

[connorlevismom]

This just happened in our neighborhood, resulting in the loss of two children.

There were a few fundraisers for the families involved (a child living in the home was killed and a child spending the night was killed), so we participated in all of them. There was really nothing we could do directly because the family immediately moved away. If we could, I would have given a gift card to Walmart to help them replace clothing and other necessities.

Oh that is so sad to hear. I cannot even imagine something like that happening. Maybe I will talk with some of the other neighbors and try and figure out what to do.

Kristine

 

[mom2boys77]

We had a fire in November and lost our home. We ran out in pajamas not even shoes on. I think a gift card to Walmart or Target would be great. Also maybe a gift certificate to a restaurant. Our insurance company didn't come out until Monday (it happened on a Friday). And I don't know if the family had kids but my neighbors gave my son a few toys..it might seem like not important in the scheme of things but my kids lost everything they had and really appreciated having something to play with. I'm so sad for your neighbors. It's been 4 months for us and still it is unreal that it happened.

 

[cepmom]

how awful! My parent's lost their home to a fire almost 2 years ago. I would say if you want to help them out, give them gift cards to Target, Walmart etc to help get them some clothes/necessities right away. Sometimes it takes a couple dyas for the insurance to get them a check for those type of items. Also, gift cards to restaurants, so they can get some food if they are staying in a hotel for the time being. Fires are so awful; thank God they all made it out safely.

 

[mamamary]

My friend's house burned down a few years ago. They got out with nothing. They really needed everything. Gift cards would be wonderful - this way they can purchase what they need. Not sure how you would find out where they were staying but they may be overwhelmed. Maybe there is a friend of the family who could coordinate donations???????

 

[dizluvah]

I am so sorry to hear that - I hope that arson wasn't involved. I think it is very thoughtful that you would like to do something for the displaced family.

 

[connorlevismom]

That is a great idea. I just got a $200 visa gift card yesterday in the mail that I got from credit card miles. I will see if I can't get in touch with them and give it to them. That way, they can use it anywhere they need to.

Kristine

 

[clarabelle]

What usually causes fires in homes?
This makes me nervous and I am wondering if I need to make some changes.

 

[SondraC]

We had a fire in November and lost our home. We ran out in pajamas not even shoes on. I think a gift card to Walmart or Target would be great. Also maybe a gift certificate to a restaurant. Our insurance company didn't come out until Monday (it happened on a Friday). And I don't know if the family had kids but my neighbors gave my son a few toys..it might seem like not important in the scheme of things but my kids lost everything they had and really appreciated having something to play with. I'm so sad for your neighbors. It's been 4 months for us and still it is unreal that it happened.

I can't even imagine that!
We had some major damage do to the horrible winter, and dealing with insurance & contractors have been so awful, but I can't imagine how you do it when you have lost everything!! How far have you come through the process?

 

[mom2boys77]

Well the damage to my home was extensive so we knocked it down 2 weeks ago and are replacing it with a modular home. There was nothing to keep..pictures had melted to their frames, soot everywhere. It is truly devastating and sad. Even now when I'm buying things, I will think "Oh I had that" just sad.

I can't even imagine that!
We had some major damage do to the horrible winter, and dealing with insurance & contractors have been so awful, but I can't imagine how you do it when you have lost everything!! How far have you come through the process?

 

[mom2boys77]

Our fire started in our laundry room. Apparently a roll of toilet paper rolled off a shelf and it landed in front of the water heater and ignited. It went so fast. I just thank God that it happened at 8 at night and not 2 a.m. because I'm not sure we would have gotten out as quickly.

What usually causes fires in homes?
This makes me nervous and I am wondering if I need to make some changes.

 

[mom2boys77]

And also, we had taken the battery out of the smoke detector a few weeks before. My husband had just replaced it a few days before the fire. Our new house we will have them in all the bedrooms and several other places upstairs and downstairs and also they will be hardwired with a battery backup. I don't think we will ever get over the fear of it happening again. My youngest son will not even come downstairs when we are cooking and there is smoke. My heart breaks for people in this situation.

What usually causes fires in homes?
This makes me nervous and I am wondering if I need to make some changes.

 

[connorlevismom]

We had a fire in November and lost our home. We ran out in pajamas not even shoes on. I think a gift card to Walmart or Target would be great. Also maybe a gift certificate to a restaurant. Our insurance company didn't come out until Monday (it happened on a Friday). And I don't know if the family had kids but my neighbors gave my son a few toys..it might seem like not important in the scheme of things but my kids lost everything they had and really appreciated having something to play with. I'm so sad for your neighbors. It's been 4 months for us and still it is unreal that it happened.

Where did you go to live while you were waiting for the insurance company? I am just trying to find out how I can track them down. Maybe they are at one of the neighbors homes, I will check around today.

What usually causes fires in homes?
This makes me nervous and I am wondering if I need to make some changes.

My sister said that she had heard that it started on their 3 season porch, she was not sure of the actual cause as of yet. They are still over there working so I am sure they are trying to figure it all out.

And also, we had taken the battery out of the smoke detector a few weeks before. My husband had just replaced it a few days before the fire. Our new house we will have them in all the bedrooms and several other places upstairs and downstairs and also they will be hardwired with a battery backup. I don't think we will ever get over the fear of it happening again. My youngest son will not even come downstairs when we are cooking and there is smoke. My heart breaks for people in this situation.

Oh the poor thing!

Kristine

 

[mom2boys77]

We stayed with my mom for 2 weeks and then the insurance company paid for us to rent a house in the same area. They will pay for 9 months. I am sure your neighbors will be back frequently so maybe just look out for them. Again I am so sorry that that happened to them. They should really have support groups or something for people that have had fires..maybe they do but I've never seen them.

Where did you go to live while you were waiting for the insurance company? I am just trying to find out how I can track them down. Maybe they are at one of the neighbors homes, I will check around today.




My sister said that she had heard that it started on their 3 season porch, she was not sure of the actual cause as of yet. They are still over there working so I am sure they are trying to figure it all out.



Oh the poor thing!

Kristine

 

[laurie31]

What usually causes fires in homes?
This makes me nervous and I am wondering if I need to make some changes.

Cooking (leaving stove unattended), smoking in bed, clothes dryer lint not being cleaned out, overloaded wiring and extension cords, space heaters, children playing with matches or lighters.

Okay, here's a link:

Top five causes of all home fires (in the United States)...

5. Electrical Systems - About 40,000 fires annually

4. Misc. household equipment, not catgorized elsewhere (say an iron, or a candle) - About 45,000 fires annually.

3. Arson - About 55,000 fires annually.

2. Heating Equipment - about 75,000 fire annually.

1. Cooking and cooking equipment - almost 100,000 fires annually.

Now for some addtional interesting statistics...

Top five causes of fires in the home that result in fatalities...

5. Electrical Systems - About 350 fatal fires a year

4. Children playing with fire - About 370 fatal fires a year, often the children themselves.

3. Heating Equipment - About 480 fatal fires a year

2. Arson - About 610 fatal fires a year

1. Smoking - About 820 annual deaths!

(Notice cooking isn't even on the list. Most fatal fires start when the adults of the house are unaware of the fire, usually because they are asleep. That's why working smoke alarms are so important in the home.)

Wow, I had no idea arson was responsible for so many home fires.

This site has some downloadable checklists that you can use. http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/home/hotspots.htm

Make sure your smoke detector is working, and have an escape plan! Smoke can fill the house in just about 45 seconds, and the whole structure can be involved in about 2 minutes. If someone is panicked and spends 30-45 seconds discussing with their husband who will get the kids and who will get the dog, someone isn't going to get out. I've personally taken care of patients where that happened. In both situations, they had 3 kids and each parent went to get one child and thought the other parent had gone for the baby. When they got outside and found each other in the confusion and discovered the truth, it was too late. You need an escape plan and a meeting place outside.



mom2boys77, A house fire is one of my biggest fears. I can't imagine losing everything you own. I know they are just things, but still. Thank heaven you all got out unharmed!

OP, that is so kind of you for wanting to help your neighbors in a tangible way. Even with insurance (which they hopefully had) they surely could use help with replacing things and immediate needs like food and clothing. I couldn't imagine having to go out and buy EVERYTHING in a home - clothes, underwear, shoes, toys, linens, dishes, pots and pans, etc. while dealing with the emotional loss of pictures and other sentimental items. Maybe you could offer to babyst while the parents do some shopping? (if you know them well enough)

 

[mom2boys77]

Thank you. I cannot believe people would purposely set fire to their home. That's just sick. And about the smoke, by the time our smoke detector went off in the hallway the smoke was already filling into the living room which was 2 rooms away from where it started. I would also say to talk to kids about really listening when it happens..my then 7 year old and I were watching a movie in my bedroom and my husband was in the shower when it went off..I went out to see why and saw the smoke into the living room..I screamed for my husband and ran back for my son and told him to follow me I got as far as the living room and realized he had run back into my room..he was so scared he was hiding on the floor I picked him up and carried him to the neighbor's house. I still do not know how I did that as he is 60lbs now and I don't even remember feeling that he was heavy. I never understood how the parents got out but a child didn't now I totally understand how it can happen.

Cooking (leaving stove unattended), smoking in bed, clothes dryer lint not being cleaned out, overloaded wiring and extension cords, space heaters, children playing with matches or lighters.

Okay, here's a link:



Wow, I had no idea arson was responsible for so many home fires.

This site has some downloadable checklists that you can use. http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/home/hotspots.htm

Make sure your smoke detector is working, and have an escape plan! Smoke can fill the house in just about 45 seconds, and the whole structure can be involved in about 2 minutes. If someone is panicked and spends 30-45 seconds discussing with their husband who will get the kids and who will get the dog, someone isn't going to get out. I've personally taken care of patients where that happened. In both situations, they had 3 kids and each parent went to get one child and thought the other parent had gone for the baby. When they got outside and found each other in the confusion and discovered the truth, it was too late. You need an escape plan and a meeting place outside.



mom2boys77, A house fire is one of my biggest fears. I can't imagine losing everything you own. I know they are just things, but still. Thank heaven you all got out unharmed!

 

[laurie31]

Thank you. I cannot believe people would purposely set fire to their home. That's just sick. And about the smoke, by the time our smoke detector went off in the hallway the smoke was already filling into the living room which was 2 rooms away from where it started. I would also say to talk to kids about really listening when it happens..my then 7 year old and I were watching a movie in my bedroom and my husband was in the shower when it went off..I went out to see why and saw the smoke into the living room..I screamed for my husband and ran back for my son and told him to follow me I got as far as the living room and realized he had run back into my room..he was so scared he was hiding on the floor I picked him up and carried him to the neighbor's house. I still do not know how I did that as he is 60lbs now and I don't even remember feeling that he was heavy. I never understood how the parents got out but a child didn't now I totally understand how it can happen.

I wonder if the arson house fires were set by others, just out of spite or meanness. I also can't imagine anyone purposely setting fire to their own home.

And you brought up a very important point! Children hide when they are scared! It's very common. We had a family once where the little boy was found hiding in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. They had searched everywhere before they were forced (by the fire) to get out, and then the firemen searched and searched for him. Who would think to look there? (and yes, it was too late when he was finally found )

Everyone, show your kids what firemen look like when they are dressed to fight a fire. A child is already scared of the smoke and flames and then they see this coming towards them:

It's their natural instinct to hide. Tell them this is a fireman and he (or she) is there to HELP them, and not to be afraid.

 

[MelanieC]

Wow how awful. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

 

[Becky2005]

That is a great idea. I just got a $200 visa gift card yesterday in the mail that I got from credit card miles. I will see if I can't get in touch with them and give it to them. That way, they can use it anywhere they need to.

Kristine

I'm thinking the Visa gift card is fantastic because they could use it anywhere. My thinking was if they even had a place to stay, they could use the GC at a hotel since it sounds like it would take a couple days for insurance to get out PLUS the fact that it's a holiday weekend which means it might take even longer.

I'm so sorry for your neighbors.