So this morning around 9:30, I heard some sirens and didn't really think much of them until I realized they were close and weren't stopping. I went outside and saw a ton of firetrucks. The house 3 down from me was on fire....like huge flames shooting out of windows. I was soooo shaken up...it was terrifying to see. There were a ton of firemen running in and out of the house, firemen up on the ladder spraying the house...it was just awful.
It took about an hour to put out the fire, and another hour or so to clear off the street (I was blocked into my driveway so was late to a bridal shower).
I just walked down and talked to the girl. It was the house she grew up in and her father had owned it for 37 years...he was in Canada at the time. I offered her help, food, and gave her my contact info and offered to help with the fundraising effort she mentioned. Can/should I do anything else? Is it okay to show up with food tomorrow or should I wait for her to ask?
I'm just really shaken up and feel soooo bad for her. she was crying and said right now they're just trying to find pictures and pull what they can from the house. They haven't determined the cause yet.
Re: Neighbor's house caught on fire
Oh my gosh - that's terrifying! I think it would be totally fine to show up with food.
Do they have somewhere to take a shower and things? Does she have friends she can stay with?
So glad everyone is okay!
I think food would be welcomed.
I'd probably offer to help her salvage from the wreckage. I'd also offer her clean towels/linens, clothes, and other necessities. I hope they recover quickly from this.
At the begging of last fall our good friends house burned down. They lost everything. It was a mom, dad, high school boy, middle school boy and elem school girl. The red cross put them up in a long stay hotel until their homeowners insurance arranged for a long term rental for them.
We pooled our resources for them and got clothing donations from everyone we could b/c they literally had the clothes on their back. I sent out a mass email to all my friends letting them know what we were looking for. I was shocked at the number of my friends that sent me gift cards for the family!!!
They are actually moving back into their old house this month. We are going to be holding a "shower" for them to help replace the material things they lost.
That's a great idea!
Thanks for the suggestions! I definitely want to stay involved and continue to help them. I also want to send letters to the firefights because I was sooo impressed by their heroism.