Tuesday, August 26

Stunned by fire

Wow this is one of those things that is 'Never going to happen to you' Well it did, my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law lost their home in a fire this morning. They are both fine, PRAISE GOD!!! Everything else is just stuff. This is what we saw from our house this morning, it was actually much darker when we 1st saw it, but this was after we were there and came back to our house to pick up some stuff. Such a shock! We were having our coffee at about 5:15 when Paul spotted the fire and firetrucks in the vicinity of my in-laws home. Man we have never gotten dressed and out the door so quickly!

This is the TINY window they crawled out of. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE learn from this and check your smoke alarms & your escape route TODAY! My FIL is 82 and my MIL is 76 and I am AMAZED they could crawl out thru this little opening!! THANK YOU LORD!
They heard an explosion and my FIL thought something had fallen on the roof, he headed out of their bedroom and saw the glow of the fire and the smoke so he quickly went back into the bedroom and shut the door. The firefighters said tires make a huge explosion so that is probably what woke them up. Thank Heavens the car was in the carport.

The furthest window to the left of the ladder is where my office used to be. So besides this being my in-laws home it is also the main office of our business. Oh my gosh, what a mess and once again I am Praising God for all he as done for us. I think the insurance is going to be ok and we did not loose all the computer data. My Sil has been working on recovering hard drives and our Daughter spent the day helping out.

It is going to be a LONG road from here to get everything back in order and to get everything running full speed at our business, but it just could have been a very different story. Thank you LORD seems to be my mantra today. Please check your smoke detectors and your escape route!

21 comments:

Flergs said...

ooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmgggggggggggggg!!! This is so shocking!!! It's in ruins!! Thank goodness it's just the house and no one was hurt!!! Oh wow what amazing photos. This is so sad.

laura D said...

Dear Brooke, I couldn't believe what I was seeing in the paper this morning...
They are so very lucky to have gotten out, If there is ANYTHING I can do please tell me...
Thank you God !!
Your friend
Laura

Lauren said...

OMG! I'm glad to hear that everyone is ok. I'm so sorry Brooke - this is just awful.

Bandon, Oregon said...

Brooke & Paul!!! I just saw this!! Oh my Goodness!! I'm in shock!!! Praise God everyone is ok.... I can't believe they crawled through that window.... What happened??? I'm here for you guys!!!

Faith

Anonymous said...

Dear Brooke,

I am so sorry to hear the news that your inlaws' house burned down. I am very thankful that they made it out ok, though. Bless their hearts. Please extend my well-wishes to your entire family. I can't imagine the shock you all must be going through, but it's just one more reminder to all to hug those they love a little tighter and count our blessings...
I can't imagine how I can "help," but if there is anything, please call. I mean it!

Love and hugs,
Kirstin "your old babysitter!" Cronin

The Clarks said...

OMG! I am so glad everyone is okay! That is just awful; what a thing to wake up to! I know I am far away but please let me know if there is ANYTHING at all I can do to help out in any little way.

Janie said...

OMG Brooke, how awful, but thank god they managed to escape, that's the most important thing.
If there's anything I can do let me know.

theAudreyFiles said...

Oh my gosh, how scary! I was so glad to hear they made it out ok, thank God!!!!

I am going to go check my smoke alarm batteries right now, and then we're going to practice our escape route. It's been too long since we did that.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance in any way. Hugs to you and your family!!

Amber Longiotti said...

I feel like it was the grace of God that allowed my grandparents to get out of their burning home without any harm, other than sadness for their possessions lost...

Unknown said...

Dearest Brooke, How in the world could you worry about answering my whining email when such a horrible catastrophe has happened to y'all. Yes, THANK YOU LORD! I just know He must have been with your M & FIL to have led them to the tiny little window. I know there are things that need to be done immediately and if there is anything I can send y'all s way (along with prayers, of course) please email me and I will gather up everything and overnight it to you. My heart is still pounding in my chest; I cannot even imagine what it was like being there and seeing your memories go up in smoke. . . Big hugs to all your family and do let me know what they might need.
Liv

Deb M. said...

OH Brooke! I am so very sorry to hear about your in-laws home. Thank You God that they were able to get out of the house without being injured. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you.

Hugs & Blessings...

Anonymous said...

Oh, my, gosh!!
Brooke, how terrible! Thank the Lord they got out ok.
Do they know what caused the fire?
I just can't even imagine the aftermath of something like this.
God is good though and he will lead you all through this..
(Hugs)
Jill

Cheryl said...

WOW....Girl....I'm in shock. And to imagine you had your whits about you to even get the photos! I might have forgotten my camera.

You are right--praise God they are safe! Wow!

I cannot imagine losing all of my stuff and all of my business stuff. You must be so stressed now.

Unknown said...

Oh my Brooke! This is so scary!!! So glad your inlaws are safe and fine. I love how the Lord works! hugs

Kat said...

This is awful Brooke and really puts one in the picture. I thought it was awful when we visited last night but to see the pics lets you see just how bad it was. So glad no one was hurt.

Kat

Anonymous said...

I just heard about the fire, I am so sorry. What a tragedy, at least everyone is okay.

Unknown said...

Hey Brooke! Is today your birthday? 9/11? Happy Birthday! Mine is in Sept too! Hope all is going alone nicely now-has the rebuild started?
Hugs,
Liv

Janie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU............

Fab's Book Spot said...

All I can say is thankfully everyone is alright. Sending you best wishes from afar.
Fiona
Fab's Spot

Monique said...

OMGosh Brooke! I am so glad everyone is ok, thank goodness they were able to get out. How is the rebuilding of their lives going? I hope all is going as smoothly as something like this can. You and your family are in my thoughts, take care of yourselves!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, I never saw this post until today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so sorry this happened, but I am so happy they escaped the fire!! Praise the Lord!!!!!!! ~xo Jess