Last Friday, I arrived home from work around 3:10. I was making Jack a sandwich when I heard loud popping noises and someone screaming. I went outside and saw the house across the street engulfed in flames. They had a van in the driveway that had also caught on fire. The only person home was their 12 year old son who had run out of the house barefoot with his two small dogs. He was sitting on my yard crying hysterically while another neighbor held him. The house burned so quickly. I found out later that they stored fireworks in their garage, thus all the explosions and accelerated burn pace. In a matter of moments, my yard was filled with people.
Others were stopping their cars in the road to stare and take pictures The firetrucks started to arrive, but couldn't get through because of all the cars and people. Then, Ellie's bus arrived (3:25) and that added to the confusion. I tried to usher Ellie and Jack back into the house as quickly as possible because they were really scared and confused. They kept going to the front windows to look out and watch the fire. A police officer cleared my yard and put crime scene tape across it to keep the people back, however, the tape went down my driveway so a lot of people just filled my driveway, leaning up against my car, and coming all the way up to the front of my house. Many of them were video-taping the whole thing. It was crazy.
The house, a large two-story brick home, is now completely destroyed. Even the bricks are gone. The traffic on our street has increased tremendously. People are driving by at all hours and stopping to stare at the house. Every time we walk out the door, the kids are reminded of the fire. Friday night, Ellie kept waking up with nightmares about our house burning down. I ended up having to sleep in her room. Since then, she keeps asking questions about fires and what if scenarios. She also keeps asking why the fire started, something we don't know yet. Jack also mentions it every day, saying things like, "I scared of fire." The whole thing has been really traumatic for them (although I do realize it was much more traumatic for my neighbors). Honestly, it has made me more paranoid as well. Fires are scary! I am just really grateful no one was hurt. I am also touched by how the neighborhood has rallied around the family (despite all the gawking). Within hours of the fire, drop-offs were set up for gift card donations and they haven't stopped. I spoke to my neighbor yesterday and she said they have been overwhelmed by the generosity and outpouring of support they have received from total strangers. I love that.
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