I was at breakfast with my brother and his friend Jim, when Jim started getting texts from the volunteer fire department dispatch about a house fire up the road. At first, we disregarded it, since Jim no longer volunteers, but quickly it became serious, and we wanted to know which house was on fire. We got worried when I googled the address, and it was one of those, stomach-sinking moments when you realize the house on fire is the one you were praying wasn't.
We drove home as quickly as the speed limit would allow us, and when we got to my neighbor's house, the fire had already spread and done significant damage. Fortunately Joe, Nancy, and their dog Logan were all safe and out of the house. But it was just as hard to watch their house burn down and be so helpless.
The fire was relentless and the firefighters spent about three hours putting out the flames. Once they were finished we were able to carefully pick through the house, (my stepdad, mom, and Joe did most of the in-house investigating) and look for anything that might have survived. Most of their clothes were just soaked and smoke-filled but uncharred. Nearly everything else was destroyed, though.
Joe and Nancy had a handful of great neighbors standing by them, and helping them with everything they need. Parents and their Boyscouts were immediately helpful by donating clothes, and the local KFC donated a bunch of fresh food for everyone helping with the salvaging. It's going to be a hard, long road, but they'll find a way to recover and heal.
There is hope.
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