Yesterday afternoon, I was sitting in my craft room getting organised for a night of sewing/crafting. My eldest son had just taken my youngest son to a mate's place. Second youngest came up the hall and said that he could smell smoke. He's very good with that as he is asthmatic. I said that we should walk around and see what was happening, but no smoke alarm was going off. However, within minutes, the smoke alarm was going off and smoke was billowing from my eldest son's bed room.
On to the fire brigade. Within minutes of the alarm going off the smoke became flames going up the wall. It was right on dark, power was off and it was horrible to say the least. I grabbed photo albums, kids (not necessarily in that order!) and we went to our evacuation point. DH and eldest DS continued to do what they could to bring the fire under control.
Several hours later we were given the all clear to return to the house.
We still have a house. Everyone is safe, including our animals and birds. It was probably the scariest event in my life - hoping for it to remain so!
The worst casualty for me is one of my quilts. It was near the power board (that may have been faulty) and is completely ruined. It was a log cabin with stars. The one Australian Patchwork and Quilting put out on their first video.
The quilt was made at a time when all my children were small and time was even more precious than it is today. I remember how I struggled to eke minutes out of the day to work on it. The top was then put aside and it was a few years before it was actually quilted.
This is it today!
When I look at all the maybes of last night I am very grateful that this is all I have to lament. Of course, his bed is gone and mattress. And the other bedding. But to me that's all replaceable. And, yes, the quilt is replaceable, too. But in a very different way.
Then I look at all my other quilts, bears, dolls, special kids toys, memorabilia and gifts from overnthe years. We're all ok. We still have a home. We slept in our own beds last night. We have been very lucky.
Needless to say, my plans for SKOW have gone a little pear shaped. But I will get back on track.
11 comments:
Hey Marg! Oh my goodness!!!!! How horrible and how scary, but so VERY pleased to hear that no one was hurt and that the damage was relatively minimal. Your poor quilt is definitely a bit toasty ... perhaps it could be cut down and rebound to be a smaller article (runner, mat, wall hanging) with the fire date embroidered on it as a reminder of something to be thankful for. All the best with the cleanup. Bear Hugs! KRIS
Absolutely echo Kris' comments - definitely some relief that it could have been so much worse and you just have to re-purpose that quilt and again be grateful that it wasn't the whole thing. Good Luck - I'm sure Chookyblue will allow a little lee way - that's a pretty good excuse!!
thinking of you all Marg,its a horrible thing to happen once let alone twice.We lost everything in a house fire quite a few yrs ago and it did not worry me as they are only material because our eldest daughter was meant to be home alone and we talked her into staying another night away with us camping, now she we could not replace.i am so grateful you are all okay and that your son has a good nose,take care.xx
Only the nose knows, what a blessing to have a good sniffer in the family. Sorry to hear of your loss, however good to hear that you were able to sleep in your own beds and we remember the phrase " life wasn't meant to be easy " oh how right for this situation Blaeesings Margaret
OH wow.....glad everyone is safe. As for the quilt, you can salvage some of it and either make a smaller one. Or use is as a center for another new quilt. Seems to be quite a bit left to do something with it.
Marg I'm so sorry this has happened to you! I'm very happy that everyone is okay. :)
Marg.. Wow what a scary time for you all. So glad that everyone is ok.
Sandyn
Such terrible news but such good news that no-one was hurt. I hope you can somehow mend your quilt x
My gosh! So glad you realise how increadibly lucky you are! Its my fear also but for you to go through it twice in incomprehensible. Things will have to get better but good on your son for smelling before the smoke alarm. all the best in the insurance claim.
Marg I am so sorry this has happened to you...and twice...omgosh! How lucky you all are to have caught it in a reasonable timeframe and with minimal damage. We are celebrating Thanksgiving today in Canada and I am again so thankful that your family is safe. Too bad about your quilt but I like the previous comments...maybe you can re-work that quilt with a new label explaining it's history.
Oh Marg.......so glad everyone is safe and well..........the most important part..........a little stitching calms the nerves........in between cleaning up the mess......goodluck.......maybe you could rescue the quilt somehow like the girls suggested....
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