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Canada Day Fire
digismile
Registered Users Posts: 955 Major grins
It had been a very quite and uneventful Canada Day. As I flipped some ribs on the BBQ, I looked up and over my neighbour's house to see a giant plume of black smoke. Sirens in the distance were getting louder.
I grabbed my camera and ran around the corner of my street to see a new house fully engulfed in flames. I've never been this close to a fire. The fire looked unstoppable.
At this point, the fire department was turning their efforts to saving the house on the right. From my vantage point, it didn't look good.
The police were now arriving and began moving the growing crowd back across the street. It was more chaotic by the moment.
From behind the house, one could see a bit of fire in the roof. Not a good sign.
A ladder truck was just setting up to assist in the battle.
But in the end, the second house was lost, too.
Everything was over in just 30 minutes ... But the cleanup went on for hours.
Although you can see the physical impact of the fire, what you don't see is the emotional impact. As the fire raged, many people, mostly children, sobbed uncontrollably. It was a very terrifying event. I just didn't feel right turning my camera on the people around me, so my only photos are of the buildings.
I felt much the same too. It was hard not to tremble and feel helpless. Our sense of safety had been violated this day.
So for those that will be celebrating July 4th tomorrow, be safe, and give thanks to those that put their own safety on the line to protect ours.
I grabbed my camera and ran around the corner of my street to see a new house fully engulfed in flames. I've never been this close to a fire. The fire looked unstoppable.
At this point, the fire department was turning their efforts to saving the house on the right. From my vantage point, it didn't look good.
The police were now arriving and began moving the growing crowd back across the street. It was more chaotic by the moment.
From behind the house, one could see a bit of fire in the roof. Not a good sign.
A ladder truck was just setting up to assist in the battle.
But in the end, the second house was lost, too.
Everything was over in just 30 minutes ... But the cleanup went on for hours.
Although you can see the physical impact of the fire, what you don't see is the emotional impact. As the fire raged, many people, mostly children, sobbed uncontrollably. It was a very terrifying event. I just didn't feel right turning my camera on the people around me, so my only photos are of the buildings.
I felt much the same too. It was hard not to tremble and feel helpless. Our sense of safety had been violated this day.
So for those that will be celebrating July 4th tomorrow, be safe, and give thanks to those that put their own safety on the line to protect ours.
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Tom
MUTTography - Modern and Fun Lifestyle Pet Photography
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Yes, the family of 4 got out of the house safely. Just a few minor injuries to other people getting caught up in the pandemonium of the moment (sprained ankle, a few people with breathing problems). Posessions can be replaced, family can't.
Better late than never, my family now has an emergency evacuation plan ...
www.digismile.ca
Christopher Kimball Photojournalism