this is why i say support red cross first hand

[kcjaxxnc]

12-21-2012.
i had just gotten a job with a local construction company and we were not what you would call well off, so my wife babysat for extra funds here and there. i decided to visit her next door but i left my door unlocked figuring my dog could deal with anyone he didnt know entering the house.we were watching a movie. a loud banging and screaming outside got us to the door. my entire front half of my house (im sorry but it may be a trailer home but homes home) was showing fire in the windows. now im not going to say im mr hero (it was kindof stupid to be honest backdraft ect) i tried the door grabbing the garden hose......the door knob was locked kicking it in i saw my dog dragging my cat into the back of the house. with my hose and the neighbors dredging buckets of water thru a broken window we got it contained to the front until the fire dept arrived 45 minutes later. most everything in the house was damaged due to heat and smoke melted hangers in closets exploded tv the kitchen was nonexistant .....but when i looked through the back door they removed the blanket from my bed, under it my dog had the cat wrapped up tight he needed cpr but he lived. neighbors took them in and red cross responded just days before christmas we were flat broke no clothes no home and the woman stepped up she gave us within an hour a motel room for 2 weeks a prepaid visa with money for food and clothes and even helped negotiate with my landlord for another house...we ended up with a bigger home. the woman was very kind and showed up at the same time ft bragg, the fire dept down the road and others fire depts arrived(told u not small) if it were not for her and the few helpful and kind neighbors we have we would not be so well off today. i was homeless years back beleive me you learn to be happy with everything after that. anyways i apologise if my story was a bit long and off the forum topic i just wanted to share this and if anyone has had similar experiences to show them things work out better even if it takes time.

p.s. fire was never ruled as what caused it and such i know for a fact the knob was not locked when i left so everyone figured arson.

 

[kcjaxxnc]

before and after

 

[OzFab]

I apologise if my story was a bit long and off the forum topic

What section is this? Oh, that's right, OFF TOPIC! This is why it's here, for when you want to discuss something or get something off your chest that has nothing to do with go karts. Thanks for sharing

I can see Jim jumping on this any minute now...

Not that I've ever been through it but, it must be devastating to lose everything you own just like that. Thank God for organisations like Red Cross for being there when you need them...

 

[landuse]

Thanks for sharing

 

[kcjaxxnc]

thnx guys just figured id show a story of hope an good in a time that causes us to question things.

 

[firemanjim]

I have seen this happen many many times. It's heartbreaking, even for me. As I tell Every family I deal with in this situation, at least you and yours are ok not safe. I only have an idea of how you getvyour life back together after a tragedy like this, I know it's hard. There are still good people out there. I see them all the time. Dec 23 2012 @ 21:33 I was toned out for a structure fire, 2 blocks behind our station. We got there in like 4+minutes and had water flowing in 6 minutes from dispatch time. The house was gonna be a total loss, we can tell already. We call in 3 more depth. It was COLD and raining..... We finally got it out, over 7hours later. By this time it was almost 7 AM and I still had to make it to my real job by 8. I gathered my gear not whatnot. The home owner came an hugged each new every one of us. Got us hot drinks and food from neighbors, for us! She just lost all she had just days before Christmas and she was concerned for us.... By 9:30 she was in a new place to stay,had food,money,clothes,and most importantly,she had her cancer medicine. She was dieing, and was only concerned for us.
Don't despair Bud. There is still good people out there. I know you are far away,butbif there is anything I can do, send me a PM.....

 

[kcjaxxnc]

well i am def thankfull for those like you i must say its great volunteer or not the work you guys do. the ft bragg fire dept and a few others showed up more worried about us and our animals which was great considering we just called them away from their homes some from sleeping . . what you lose in a fire is mainly just material you can always get material back you cannot get family back. as for the other stuff like my wife not being able to even look at a candle in a house for at least a year that stuff takes time but it gets better. believe me it gets better.however my dog still shows it as he hides under my blankets almost every night and has nightmares, my big *** part bobcat cat that needed cpr? i dont even think he remembers it but ever since hes been friendly as hell.