Catastrophic Fire Destroyed Everything.

Our new home has a setup very similar to what yours was. This is becoming more scary now. I always thought the underground power was better, maybe not? Our old home of 35 years had all overhead power lines.

They use the aluminum wire here to feed the power into the house at the breaker panel. It is standard practice around here. The rest of the house is copper. Our old home was all copper everything.

Still hoping you have a smooth transition back into your home, if that is even possible.

Electroliner. I'm sorry for your loss. Your perspective is spot on, I wish you the best as you move forward through this process.

Paul

Electroliner,

Sorry to hear about your fire. I am totally amazed at your attitude. A good many people I know would still be sitting on the curb crying. At this point, you have the right idea: Pick up what's left, and move on. What is gone, is gone. Some stuff you will replace, but much will be just memories. Thank you for you timely advice. I hope the  rest of us learn from your misfortune. I know I have been putting certain things off. No more. Thank you for a much needed kick in the pants!

Chris

LVHR

Glad you and your family got out without bodily harm.

Fires are devastating, I saw a house burn down in minutes, all the FD could do was to hose down the house next door to keep it from catching fire.

A friend of mine who retired from the FAA sent me this on 9 volt batteries:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/...re=player_detailpage

I also saw an article the other day where the airline industry is talking about the dangers of shipping LiPo batteries again.

Some of the things we keep in and around our homes really don't need to be there, does anyone store these type of stuff in a locker/building away from the main dwelling?

When you get relocated, I and I am sure others would be willing to donate a couple of items to give you a head start.  Let us know. Having been through a minor fire, I must say that I could not wish it on even my worst enemy. 

Bruce,

   As everyone mentioned, what a sad story and all I can say is sorry that it happened to you. You have such a remarkable outlook. Not sure if I would cope anywhere close to how you are.

   As wb47 mentioned, when you are settled, I would be glad to donate to you to get you started again. Let me know if you need a PRR prewar or postwar metal cabin car.

 Hang in there! 

 Tom

Bruce, so very sad to hear about what happened.  Glad everyone in your family is OK.  This is a sobering wake-up call for everyone that these tragedies can happen, and they are very real.  So many times we live life by the seat of our pants and never even prepare for bad situations -- not to mention worst-case scenarios.  Keep us posted with any info that you feel is appropriate to share.  Many of us here are keeping you and your family in our thoughts.

David

Please let us know how things work out

Very sorry to hear what happened and for your loss. 

Bob

I feel so sorry for your loss.  Wish I knew of something that I could say that would help make your load just a bit lighter.  

As terrible as it is losing your home and valued possessions you are blessed for the safety of your family.  Just know that your friends on the forum are pulling for your quick recovery.

Ed

Extremely sorry for your loss.  I hope everything works out for you and wish you the very best in progressing forward. 

Michael

Any news on the missing cats?

Bruce:

I am late to this thread but am no less sorry for your loss.

Several years ago, I had a tenant in an apartment I own who stupidly set her unit on fire.  She was frying a pan full of chicken ... and left it frying while she went outside to play with her children.  She tried to blame it on me by saying I provided a defective stove.

It was not a total loss to the building but it was to her apartment.  As I have said afterward, I got rid of a problem tenant, I got a completely rehabbed unit at no cost to me, and I did not lose the rent money while the place was being rebuilt because I had loss of income insurance.  I also tell people in the same breath, however, that even with all the positives that came out of it, it was extremely stressful and I still wish it hadn't happened in the first place.

I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you.  From your words, I have confidence that you'l recover and rebuild over time.  I hope that all of us see you at York someday or other, if only to wish you well.

Please keep the faith, and know that you have friends here,

Steven J. Serenska

Our calico cat passed away in the fire and thankfully, it was from smoke inhalation and not the fire itself. It looked like she had fallen asleep or at least thats what I tell myself. Honestly, her passing way is the only real loss I have felt and if anyone says more than two or three words about her, I get a lump in my throat. 

The only humorous aspect was that Apollo, seeming vanished after launching himself out of the house. Several days later, my daughter was walking through the ruins of the kitchen when he popped out of a kitchen cabinet covered in soot.

Oakely turned feral and we are still on the hunt for him.

I want to thank everyone for their generous and supportive comments. 

I would be lying through my teeth if I didn't say I miss the hobby, especially now and it's funny that for some time afterward I swore I would never collect stuff just to lose it again but I seem to be in recovery mode...I wish you could see that inventory list, it's just ridiculous and my famous last words were I thought to myself, I have enough, no need buying more.

I have to see what comes back from the salvaging team next week as far as what if anything was saved and if some cleaning is due to it, that will keep me busy enough for now....Again I want to thank all of you for your support.

I just now saw this.

Very sorry to hear about your terrible fire.

I wish you well.

I am so deeply sorry to hear about your cat.

So sorry about your calico. Some cats are remarkably sensitive to smoke and it's not a bad way for them to go, since they really do just fall asleep.

Glad one of the boys turned up, and as for Oakley, if you put food out in any kind of shelter you can rig up for him and check it daily, he'll probably come back around. It can take them a week or (much) more to calm down after a bad scare. If you can lay hands on a large dog cage and take it to the house with you with Apollo in it (edited to add: while you're there, of course, and take him back to your temporary place!) his familiar voice and scent may convince Oakley to come home. Make sure your neighbors, the shelter and nearby vets know you're looking for him.

I hope some good comes out of this, even if it's terribly hard to imagine right now.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad no one was hurt.

Bill

Sorry to hear about your grave misfortune.  As you said, all that was lost, however precious they may have been were only things.  Luckily, life does go on for you and yours.  While I'm sad about your loss I'm glad we didn't lose you.