FIRE!!

on April 13, 2009

It was a typical Monday morning…. I was typing, typing, typing away and eating my lunch:

Which included grapes, a carrot, and a veggie burger on an English Muffin.

‘

When suddenly I smelled…. WAIT — IS THAT SMOKE!?

I rushed outside to discover the area under the stairs leading up to my apartment was on FIRE! I quickly sprinted back up the stairs (with my knees screaming), grabbed the fire extinguisher, and called 9-1-1. I tried to put out the fire on my own, but it was useless, so I ran BACK up the stairs and grabbed Maggie and James (um, and my camera).

Not more than 5 minutes later, three fire trucks arrived….

…Plus loads of hottie firemen! (Sorry, Husband… but it’s true. Engine #11 is totally drool-worthy).

Smoking up a storm! They brought out a giant saw, cut through the stucco, and rummaged up my stairs for about an hour.

Our house is on fire! 🙁

Aww.

But luckily, everything is OK and no one is hurt! Just a lot of excitement. The fireman said a rogue cigarette butt caused the fire. Don’t ash in the grass, people! (Or smoke ciggies at all… it’s yuck).

Back to work! Whew!

Have you ever used a fire extinguisher? This is my third time using one…. but once was just for fun. 🙂

{ 64 comments }

bb April 13, 2009, 10:20 am
Wow. Your work day was WAY more exciting than mine!

Can’t say I’ve ever had the pleasure of using an extinguisher, but I’m still young 🙂
Megan April 13, 2009, 10:21 am
AH that’s really scary! I’ve never had to use an extinguisher but my boss where I work [at our school’s athletic center] always tells us these “worst case scenario” stories and those always freak me out..
susanah April 13, 2009, 10:23 am
glad u’re ok n that its nothing serius.Wil pray 4 ur knee.Taking time off 4 full recovery is wise!xx
Kristie Lynn April 13, 2009, 10:25 am
Wow – you are good at keeping your cool. Nice work! I’ve never used a fire extinguisher before… and have to say I hope I never need to!
tfh April 13, 2009, 10:25 am
You saved the day! Great work. I’m not sure I would even know how to use a fire extinguisher…ahhh!
VeggieGirl April 13, 2009, 10:25 am
HOLY FREAKING GOODNESS!! Glad you made it out!!
Sarah (lovINmytummy) April 13, 2009, 10:26 am
Omigosh! You are a HERO! Well, except for that grabbing your camera part.

I think the allure of using a fire extinguisher is Freudian. Kind of like I’ve always wanted to be able to pee standing up, you know?

Glad you guys are all safe!
Brandi April 13, 2009, 10:28 am
Are you going to become a firefighter now? 🙂

I’m glad you’re okay and no one was hurt!

I have never used a fire extinguisher, but I want to!
girlrunningaround April 13, 2009, 10:28 am
Holy cow! What a way to get your adrenaline pumping mid-day! I’m glad you caught it in time!
itsawrapteacher April 13, 2009, 10:28 am
omg! I’m glad everyone is ok!
greendogwine April 13, 2009, 10:29 am
Holy cow!!! That’ is insane!

You were such a good little Samaritan trying to put out the fire!

Thank god everything is okay though – that could be a much scarier story!

LOL – love you grabbed the pups AND YOUR CAMERA :p
Moran April 13, 2009, 10:30 am
WOW I am glad you are okay!!!
Never used it before!
~Jessica~ April 13, 2009, 10:32 am
Oh my! You were so brave and dealt with the situation amazingly. I can’t imagine what I would have done: probably run out into the street screaming hysterically.

Never used an extinguisher myself and never really want to! I’m so relieved that you’re alright: I acutually freaked out a little just reading the post title.
Abby April 13, 2009, 10:32 am
Holy cow! I’m glad everyone’s okay!
Megan April 13, 2009, 10:33 am
Oh My! Glad to see you and your puppies safe and sound! Hope the rest of your day is better! 😀
Run Sarah April 13, 2009, 10:35 am
Yikes! Glad everyone and everything is okay.
Meghann April 13, 2009, 10:35 am
OMG!!!! I’m so glad everythin gis ok! That’s soo scary. I was thinking the first time you ran donw, “What about AMggie and James?” They were the first thing that went through my mind.

I’ve never had to use a fire extinguiser but I have heard the story a million and on etimes of when I was a baby and my Dad was making an egg szndwich and then left for work with the stove top still on. My Mom woke up to smoke and had to grab Josh and Me and run out the door. My Mom still brings this story up 24 years later of how my Dad caught the kitchen on fire.
Meghann April 13, 2009, 10:36 am
haha and can I just tell you how bad my typing skills were in that last comment? Proof Read Meghann!
Laura April 13, 2009, 10:38 am
I’m SO glad you were home to call the fire deptartment and rescue your babies!

I’ve never used a fire extinguisher, but our trash caught on fire while I was working at Starbucks (again, a cigarette) and my co-worker used ours. It was cool to watch!
Alison April 13, 2009, 10:38 am
Glad everything is okay. Your apmt complex looks a lot like my old complex in Phoenix. Funny how architecture in warm parts of the country is all the same.
Kelly April 13, 2009, 10:39 am
OMG, glad everyone was ok. Scary. I need to invest in a fire extinguisher.
teacherwoman April 13, 2009, 10:40 am
That is scary! I have never had to use a fire extinguisher!
Allison April 13, 2009, 10:42 am
Oh my gosh! I’m glad everything is okay! What a stressful morning!
Carolina John April 13, 2009, 10:45 am
damn that’s hard core, C. glad you’re ok.
Mica April 13, 2009, 10:56 am
Yeah, that’s more exciting than my day. I’m glad everyone is okay! That’s probably all the excitement Maggie can handle for one day. Awww.
K from ksgoodeats April 13, 2009, 10:57 am
Yikes!! Scurrrry situation! Glad you guys are all okay!
Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) April 13, 2009, 10:57 am
Oh man! I’m glad everything is okay! Good thing you caught it before it did more damage!
RhodeyGirl/Sabrina April 13, 2009, 11:09 am
that is intense!

happy to hear everything is ok. that is super scary!

it’s amazing how adrenaline can give you the energy you need to do what you need to do huh?
redheadedjournal April 13, 2009, 11:11 am
Wow!
Rose April 13, 2009, 11:20 am
OMG! So glad you’re OK!

My oven caught on fire once while I was trying to cook tilapia. This was in college – and we had left a plastic bowl in the oven because we were cleaning up for a party. That was the one time I used the extinguisher!
L April 13, 2009, 11:28 am
Glad you’re okay!

On a total side note, what kind of dog are you holding?? He (she?) is super cute! 🙂
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 13, 2009, 11:30 am
l – maggie is a dachshund. she’s a special coloring called piebald.
Tina April 13, 2009, 11:33 am
Wow! Tons of excitement at your place today. Esp with hot firemendoing their job. I very briefly dated a fireman and I must admit that they are HOT, and even the less hot ones are made hot by all their mad life-saving-fire-putting-out skills.

I’ve used a fire extenguisher three times. Once in my kitche, once in a friend’s kitchen, and once on the engine of my car. I highly recommend keeping a small one in your car!
Sara April 13, 2009, 11:37 am
Wow! Glad your alright. How scary!
Joy April 13, 2009, 11:38 am
wow, scary! reminds me of the time i was nonchalantly walking by a window in my house and saw the house next door on fire with firetrucks everywhere, so scary! glad you’re ok
Lauren April 13, 2009, 11:39 am
Holy cow girl! glad you’re OK! ugh it was a stupid cig? SO annoying. I hate that.

I have never used a fire extinguisher, but my husband just bought us one. 🙂

P.s. your meal looked tasty
Matt April 13, 2009, 11:43 am
Oh wow… Glad you are alright!
Runeatrepeat April 13, 2009, 11:51 am
Ahhh! That is crazy! I have never used a fire extinguisher – I hope I would do it right if I ever had to!!!
nibblesandwiggles April 13, 2009, 11:55 am
OMG! I’m so glad that it turned out to be “nothing”.

Nope, never used a fire extinguisher.
iowagirleats April 13, 2009, 11:57 am
OMG!! I literally think I would have a heart attack if something was on fire around me. Like fall on the floor heart attack :(:(:(:( Glad you’re ok!!!
Tami April 13, 2009, 11:58 am
i am glad you are ok. never used a fire extinguisher before….hope i never have to either!
Niki April 13, 2009, 11:59 am
Yikes!! Glad you’re ok! I’ve never had to use a fire extinguisher (knock on wood!!)
ttfn300 April 13, 2009, 12:04 pm
glad everyone’s ok!!!
elise April 13, 2009, 12:24 pm
whoa! thats quite some excitement for the morning. reason 374 not to smoke!!!

ps i cant believe youve used the extinugisher 3 times!!
Quinn April 13, 2009, 12:42 pm
You definitely saved the day by calling those firefighters! Glad you and the pups are okay!
RunToFinish April 13, 2009, 1:04 pm
oh my word! i don’t have a fire extinguisher but now I think I should get one!
Susan April 13, 2009, 1:59 pm
Glad everyone is okay! Good thing you were home to catch it!

Never had to use an extinguisher before…hopefully never will!
Danielle April 13, 2009, 2:03 pm
So glad you are okay!
I have luckily never had to use an extinguisher before.
Deirdre April 13, 2009, 2:09 pm
OMG! So glad you are okay! Oh and your comment about the firemen made me literally laugh out loud. How hott are they sometimes?!
Emily April 13, 2009, 2:30 pm
Glad to hear you’re ok and that a truckload of hot firemen were able to come to your rescue. 🙂
jane April 13, 2009, 2:49 pm
oh my gosh! that sure cured any monday boredom,huh?! so glad to here you are alright and no of your possessions were burned.
stupid cancer sticks, i mean cigarettes.
Leanne April 13, 2009, 2:54 pm
As not funny as this story is, I was laughing when I read your post because of the way you told it… Glad your okay!
just me April 13, 2009, 3:11 pm
i’ve totally used an extinguisher before..on my brothers. and no, they’re not hot.

i wish i could have seen those firemen…such eye candy they are!

glad you’re safe!
MaryBe April 13, 2009, 3:22 pm
That is so scary! Glad you’re okay 🙂
Bec April 13, 2009, 3:27 pm
So glad everyone was ok and everything was ok!
Lisa D. April 13, 2009, 3:48 pm
wow, sounds like an eventful afternoon! glad everyone was ok and you remembered the important stuff(like the camera, oh and the dogs and yourself of course!) I had to teach some employees how to use a fire extinguisher and it was my first time too!
Jennifer April 13, 2009, 4:47 pm
Oh no! Good thing you have a great nose 🙂

This is totally unrelated, but what brand of veggie burgers do you prefer? I am wanting to try some again, but I’ve never bought them from a store myself (just ordered them or ate them at a friend’s) and wanted to make the right choice so I’ll actually EAT them!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point April 13, 2009, 5:17 pm
jennifer – i like morningstar. all the varieties are good!! i just microwave them for 1:30 too…. no fuss, no muss!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) April 13, 2009, 5:19 pm
I’m so glad you guys are ok!
Olga April 13, 2009, 6:13 pm
Did you ask the firemen if they had any calendars? 😉

Glad no one got hurt!!!
Michelle April 13, 2009, 6:24 pm
Wow, what a scary day! I’m glad you and the puppies are ok! Hope your knees feel better soon!
Meg April 13, 2009, 7:00 pm
Glad everything is OK! How scary!

but….definitely yeah for hottie firemen!
heather April 13, 2009, 11:16 pm
reason #zillion that i'm glad it's been two weeks since i've smoked.

so relieved you & your little buddies were okay! phew! thank goodness!
Bridget April 14, 2009, 1:05 am
Whoa!

I’ve had to use a fire extinguisher before in a kitchen disaster. That was my own doing though. A lot of smokers seem to not think about where they throw their cigarettes, or even think about whether or not it could still pose a danger to others.

Glad to hear that you are okay, though, and I hope that the knee feels better soon as well.

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