My house burned down tonight

[bivenator]

Yes, the title says it all. A fire in the garage spread to the rest of the house and it is a total loss. My family are all fine. I got some minor burns on my hands. I managed to save the p-car. I expect many will post that what matters is that the family is OK. No truer statement will ever be made. Please hug those important to you and tell them that you love them, I'm doing that to mine tonight.

[pwd72s]

Damn! Yes, very glad everybody is okay. But still...damn!

[slodave]

I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I hope besides the 911, you and your family were able to get some valuables out as well.

[Noah930]

Sorry for your loss. Do you have people to stay with, for now?

[m21sniper]

Dude my condolences. SOOOO glad your baby is all right! And you even saved your family too!

Seriously, sorry to hear it bro.

[trekkor]

Wow! Terrifying.

Fire is so... Permanent.

Glad you got out alive.
Sorry to hear this awful news.

It's amazing how fast a fire can get away from you.

What caused this?


KT

[bivenator]

My 6 yo and I were playing Wii when the power went out. We sat for about 5 mins waiting on the couch for it to come back on. My wife went to the kitchen and saw smoke filling the backyard, a second look from a different window and she screams the garage is on fire. I run thru the kitchen door and see flames rolling from the garage. I entered the garage and the fire was in the rafters. I tried for a moment to get it under control but after about 10 seconds realized it was not going to happen. I opened the rolling garage door and the fire intensified quickly. I jumped into the car pulled the parking brake and pushed it out into the driveway. Unfortunately my wifes car kept me from going far.
I went back in the house to get her keys and tell the wife to get the girl and get out. Went back outside and moved her car out of the way and went back for another push of the p-car. My wife went back inside to rescue our cats. Cats hide in a fire if you are curious. We managed to get one out and had to retreat to the front yard as the situation was way out of control.
Flames were now leaping into the neighbors trees and fence. Probably 40 feet high at one point. It was an agonizing wait for the fire fighters. There is nothing I could do but watch as every material possesion went up in flames.
I think it started in the breezeway from the garage to the house as this is where many of the lines enter the house from the breaker box.

[bivenator]

The other cats were seen by the firemen fleeing and we were able to catch one. Two others are probably hiding somewhere close.
It is strange what thou s.ghts go thru your head in a situation like this. One of the stranger ones for me was to get a pic so I could post on Pelican.
We are fortunate to have family to help us as well as some top notch neighbors.
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts as I view ya'll as my internet neighbors.
Take care and be thankful for what you got because tomorrow it may be gone.

[Rufblackbird]

wow...

sorry for your loss hopefully you had insurance?

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by bivenator

One of the stranger ones for me was to get a pic so I could post on Pelican.

Wow. Thanks for at least thinking about the rest of us in that very chaotic moment. No pics are necessary, given the circumstances. Well, unless there's a hot (aesthetics, not temperature) woman involved of course.

[WolfeMacleod]

I can't imagine I'm sorry to hear this.

[red-beard]

If you need anything call. PM sent.

[Scuba Steve]

I'm glad to hear that everybody was able to get out safely and that you were at least able to save a few things. Sorry beyond words for your loss. I've occasionally wondered in the back of my mind what I would do in that situation. Very few things are inventoried, and even then what good is that if the list goes up in smoke? Do you have any way to document what was there, maybe some pictures posted online or with family members where you can see what was there in the background? If you were in San Antonio you'd have a place to stay.

[Oh Haha]

Holy shii--ite!!!
Glad to hear everyone is ok.

I often wonder what I would do in similar situation.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Holy shiit is right! Thank God everyone is ok, I can't imagine how you must feel right now. Try to remember that you can rebuild the house, everything material is replaceable.

Probably my worst nightmare is a house fire at night. All of our bedrooms are on the second floor, I always worry about being able to reach my kids if something should happen. Scary stuff, I'm glad you were awake.

[NY65912]

Thanks God the family is well.

God Bless and Good Luck!

[oldE]

Bivenator,

Glad you are OK aside from a few blisters.
You did what you could under the circumstances. I've 'been there-done that' as far as house fires go. (lost the T-shirt). Lost darn near everything 32 years ago just before Christmas.

The good news, all lives were saved, the bad news: starting over.

I'm glad you've got a support network around you. Have you contacted your insurance agent yet? Get that started.

Hang in there.
This thread does NOT need pics.

Les

[Jim Richards]

Yikes! That's scary. I'm happy to hear that you and your family are safe, and I hope your lives return to normal soon.

[masraum]

Wow, that really bites. I'm glad the family (including the furry members) and the cars are ok.

I hope your rebuild begins and progresses quickly.

[GothingNC]

Wow, sorry about your horrible loss

I am glad you and your family made it out alive without severe burns.