I feel so helpless
By brendalee
@brendalee (6082)
United States
March 5, 2007 6:11pm CST
I just posted a discussion yesterday about fire safety and now today there is a fire at a house that belongs to a close friend of the family. The worst part about it is that I can't do anything to help him. My area is under a state of emergency which means no travel unless you are an emergency vehicle. The roads are really bad. They can arrest you if you are caught driving. So here I sit listening to the police scanner. I know he is ok and thats all that matters. There are eight different fire companies trying to put the fire out. The waiting is driving me crazy.
14 people like this
27 responses
@blueskies (1186)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Brendalee, I know this is making you crazy, but please stay home where you are safe. I had to drive in this weather today to pick my son up from school and it was zero visibility the whole way (he goes to school 2 towns away).
Just keep listening to your scanner and hopefully someone will call you with good news soon.
4 people like this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I know he is ok but I am sure the house is gone. There are 10 fire companies there now and its been about two hours. We have already called the sherrifs department and they have our number to let us know if we can do anything. We don't plan on leaving the house. I believe my boyfriends uncle may have already gone over there.
4 people like this
@kgwat70 (13388)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I am sorry to hear that your families friend is going through such a tough time and may not have a place to live. I know you are a very caring and wonderful person and I know you must be worried for your friend and their loved ones. Hopefully they will be okay and that they will have a place to stay til repairs can be made or they find another place to live.
4 people like this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
6 Mar 07
OMG!! I would feel helpless also. If you want to offer to let him stay with you, maybe you could contact the emergency number and let them know. Does he have a cell? At least he is ok. Hopefully they get things under control soon.
3 people like this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
6 Mar 07
We left our number with the sherrif, but I am sure he has a place to go. He is actually my boyfriend's grandmother's boyfriend. Hes about 90 years old and very stubborn. They have the fire under control now but those poor fireman will probably be there most of the night and its really cold here with high winds.
3 people like this
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
6 Mar 07
oh wow-- things sre really tough for you right now- i wish there was something i could do to help you!!!
You may not be able to help him now but he will need you when its over, maybe you can organize a fundraiser or clothes and food drive to help him and his family through this, it will be a while before the ins comes through and it will be hard for them, don't worry about what you can't do- think about what you can do.
2 people like this
@sjohnson628 (3197)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Omgosh! I am so sorry to hear this brendalee! At least you know that he is okay that's all that matters right now. Sit tight and you know that as soon as you can you will be there for him. (Why is there a state of emergency where you are?)
I pray your mind will be at ease soon.~Sherry~
3 people like this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
6 Mar 07
We are in a state of emergency due to blowing and drifting snow with white out conditions. There have been many accidents today. One accident involved 6 cars.
3 people like this
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
1 May 07
That is really worrying-I expected people to be a little more careful how they handle fire-are these arson related fires? It shocks me because, we live in grass thathched huts but you hardly hear of huts burning? Where is the problem that makes people so prone to fire in your hometown?
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Oh wow! I am soooo sorry!
We were under the same restriction after the hurricanes in Florida.
We were not allowed to leave or drive around either....or we would be arrested.
It really sucks! So, even though we were not effect by fire...I can understand how you feel. Stay safe!
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
6 Mar 07
This is terrible for you! It must be a huge fire, or a huge house. Have they declared a state of emergency for one house fire? I don't think they would do that here. More likely they would close a street or two.
By now, you may know how your friend is, and what caused this fire?
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
6 Mar 07
It was an old 2 story farmhouse. The state of emergency is due to the weather. We are getting high winds which is causing lots of blowing and drifting snow. There are times when you can't see the road. There have been many accidents, so they closed the roads. Its not a good night to have a fire, not that any night is but the winds have to make it worse. We probably won't know what caused the fire until tomorrow. The fireman are still putting water on it now four hours later. I am sure they will be there all night. My friend is ok, that much I do know.
2 people like this
@Bizziebod (3497)
•
6 May 07
That must have been awful for you. I hope he is ok now as I notice this posting is 3 months old.
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
6 May 07
Yes, he is ok and living with his girlfriend. I have to laugh every time I say that because it sounds weird talking about a 90 year old man and his girlfriend.lol
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
29 Apr 07
I know this is an old discussion. However, I just want to say that you shouldn't feel bad. After all, you said he was ok. Give him emotional support and help him where you could in the aftermath - I think this will have to suffice.
@zhuanclub (57)
• China
10 Mar 07
i am sorry to hear that.forget it and be happy!
1 person likes this
@VotreAmie (3028)
• United States
7 May 07
I'm sorry for what is happening to your friends. I understand how you feel. I see that you started this discussion and I hope things got under control and nobody was injured. When I was a child we had a fire in the house. It started in the kitchen and it spread fast into the other areas in the house. Nobody was injured because we were not home.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
8 Apr 07
Oh sugar, I am so sorry to hear this. I truly am. All you can do is pray. That is the best thing. I hope all will be okay. Blessings, M&M
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
29 Apr 07
Oh My days, you have been having a tough time. I hope by now things have settled down and that every one is o.k I have lived through a couple of earthquakes and so I am quite acquainted with natural disasters.
I would love to find a way where we can live in harmony with nature and be safe.
@mshogrider67 (565)
• United States
3 Apr 07
Glad your friend is ok, they will need you more later when the shock wears off and the healing beings then he does at the minute. Just be there for them in the future. You can help them restock and rebuild their lives, or just listen when they need someone to talk to. Tehy will understand with the road conditions why you weren't there right now, even if the shock would let them remember you were there at all now.
@cafay1 (256)
• United States
10 Mar 07
I am so sorry to hear about your family friend. I have been pretty sick so I haven't been posting for awhile and I did not see this until today. Glad to hear that he is safe though. I know what night you were talking about I live in Weedsport pretty close and yes it was dangerous to be out. Glad everyone is safe. You can always replace "things". Take care.
