Posted | Friday, June 18, 2004 | by Ron
FIRE!

On January 27th of 2004 my kids stayed home ... slept in due to a snow day. A candle that we had l burned the night before ... I was sure it was out ... set an arrangement on fire ... front corner of the living room.

10:00AM
Intercom at work
"Ron Flack call extention 345"

Yes, Ron there's a call for you, please hold while I trasfer you ...

Ron! this is Jenny from Connies work
There's been a fire at your house
The girls are out ... scared ... but out.
Your wife is on her way home.

I was in a meeting ...
I've got to go, my house is on fire.

9:45AM
Smoke Alarm sounds

Andrea's responce
Mom's burning something, I think I pull my pillow over my head

Alyse's respnce
I'm in the middle of a really good dream about summer. I think i pull my pillow over my heard

Aimee's responce
Some one is making noise on this a snow day ... a gift from God. I'm going to seek them out and kick their gosple fanny!

Aimee's screem to finding smoke billowing up the steps saved my families lives. The 3 of them went straight for the door. Aimee grabbed the phone on the way out the door.

She called 911 first

... then She called my wife's work ... in town. I was 35 mins away.

By the time I got home the fire was out. My kids were safe. My wife was crying. My house was trashed.

... and it was ok. The reality of what those minutes could have been. Thoughts that I need to discipline on a regular basis. I thank God for my kids.

THE DAMAGE
Due to the girls quick responce ... the fire departments 5 min. arrival ... the only "fire damage" was to the living room. The corner wall had to be touched up with mud and repainted. The SMOKE DAMAGE was unbelievable and amounted to $1000s ... And now I understand why we have fire insurances.

This ... the 3 week of June is the first time since this all began that I've come home at night. Got something to eat and hit the internet ...

I've redone our bathroom and kitchen ... down to the studs. Insurance covered the living room, dinning room, all 4 bedrooms. I'm taking a few weeks off and then I 'll begin the 3rd floor. It's my hope to finish by Thanksgiving.