A huge fire about block away.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (55716)
March 8, 2026 8:48pm CST
I've lived here 13 years. Of course, every city and town has fires--fires don't discriminate, they happen everywhere.
For a solid hour, we have had sirens. Many, many sirens. I finally checked the pulse point app and discovered yes, it was a huge fire involving 2 houses. One caught fire and some nearby trees ignited, falling on the house next door, which is now on fire, too. I checked a local group that reports on local happenings, and they have many, many fire departments involved in fighting the fires. And OH, is it ever smoky outside! A horrific smell of hot ash and fire, and I can barely see across the street.
It's in a family neighborhood so I am sure people will be displaced. It's hard to go outside and think some people may have not been able to get out in time...I hope that's not the case.
This also made me think--do you have a fire extinguisher in your home? If you had a fire start while you were home--a cooking fire, or whatever--could you use a fire extinguisher? Here in my state, if you are a renter, it's a law that you have to have at least one (more than one depending on the size of your rental) and they have to be checked and serviced every year by a professional. I am fortunate to be supplied with two, and yes, I do know how to use one. I have also been fortunate to not have had a fire in my home. Not everyone is so lucky.
If you don't have one, you might consider getting one. It could save your life.
Picture from Pinterest.
10 people like this
10 responses
@AmbiePam (114425)
• United States
15h
Under my hood in the kitchen is an automatic fire extinguisher if a grease fire breaks out. That’s automatic; we don’t have to do anything.
And, within the last few months they put a fire extinguisher in every breezeway in our apartment building. They don’t do anything unless they have to, so it must have recently become law.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
15h
It's been a law here ever since I can remember. I am glad you have the stove one and the hall ones, that's good!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (204076)
• United States
15h
I have fire extinguishers, but am not sure if they are in a useable condition..plus I don't know how they work. Friend told me to go to the fire department and get them to check them out. I will add it to the to do list. I know I used one once on a grill fire.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
14h
They have to be charged to work. And they will lose their charge over time. If you call the fire department, I am sure they can guide you and you could take them somewhere to be re-charged. Friend has a good idea.
@LadyDuck (494978)
• Italy
6h
@MarieCoyle - They do the same here, they came last month. This induction cooktop s not dangerous, but the gas stove was a lot more dangerous for fires.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
5h
@LadyDuck
Yes, the people who come here just check it, and charge it if needed. And then by law they have to tag it with the date it was charged and the date it needs to be checked.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
8h
They have a company that comes around once a year, inspects them, sees if they have a full charge. If they don't, they charge them. Every so many years, they replace them. Mine is handy, it's on the wall by the utility room/kitchen, not terribly far from the stove. There is another one in the garage, too.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (12677)
• United States
12h
@MarieCoyle I know. After the forest fire we were in, I made sure I kept mine charged. One time, the ATV caught fire and had to use one for it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
12h
@noni1959
The aunt I was so close to lost her home due to fire. It made me very aware of how fast fire can move, and how bad it can really be. Thank goodness you had one to use in your ATV when you needed it!!
@JudyEv (373701)
• Rockingham, Australia
6h
@MarieCoyle We had next to nothing when we first got married. But most of our contemporaries were in the same boat.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
12h
Back when I got married, my uncle showed up and brought us a fire extinguisher. He said everyone needed one and he knew it was a weird gift, but it was much appreciated. I've seen fire blankets, but I've not ever had one.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
8h
@JudyEv
My Dad told me when I got married that he would buy us our choice (we had a stove and refrigerator) and he would get us a television or a washer and dryer. I never even hesitated, he gave us the washer and dryer! We watched a tiny portable television for a long, long time. It finally croaked and the next one was a bit bigger. Practical gifts are so appreciated!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (215860)
• United States
6h
My fire extinguisher is ancient and has never been checked. I should do something about that.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
6h
Yes, you should, and they can tell you if it’s still good. It should be, but. I have heard after a certain number of years they recommend it be replaced.
@Juliaacv (54891)
• Canada
5h
We have 2 fire extinguishers, in our former home we had twice that many.
They offer peace of mind and a little bit of security should you need them.
I hope that the fire department gets the raging fire under control in your neighbourhood, and that the displaced people find a place to stay.
One of my in-law's had a fire destroy his home, and his insurance company put him up in a hotel for many months until the home was rebuilt. I remember he used to spend alot of his weekend time off from work with us at our place.
I always did his laundry for him.
@MarieCoyle (55716)
•
12h
@sallypup
Make sure it’s charged and will work. Take it somewhere to get it charged. They are very easy to use. There should be instructions. If not, look the model number up. I would hate for you to actually need it and it wouldn’t work!!
1 person likes this
@LooeyVille (56)
• United States
4h
Yes, my 2nd husband was a firefighter for 27 years. I am prepared.
