Up close & way too personal at a fire this week

[SoCalDem]

Our son works at this apartment complex, the fire alarm in the office lit up & sounded off, (many false alarms, but he always has to go check personally before the FD shows up) he was confronted with an inferno in progress.. He and 2 others proceeded to kick in doors to check for pets & warn anyone who might not be able to get to the door. The 12 unit building had 11 tenants.

The wind was howling that day too. ..

Everyone (including pets) got out, but the building was a total loss.. Our son is still a bit sore from the adrenalin-powered door-busting, but is happy that everyone is safe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=GZ3nutLg5Jc

[GentryDixon]

1. How fortunate that all were safe.

Your son should be very proud of his efforts.

Fire has always been my "Boogeyman". So scary.

[CherokeeDem]

2. An incredible ordeal for your son...

but how brave he was in the face of danger, getting all the residents and the pets out. Well done.

Give him big hugs from all of us.

[SoCalDem]

3. We didn't even know about the fire (we quit the paper years ago)

We had dinner with him last night & he asked if we had heard about the fire...

He said when He saw that there was a real fire, he called back to people in the office to alert more people to help out & one asked which keys to grab.. His reply..No time for keys.. we're using boots...

Luckily it was the farthest building, so fire trucks could get easy access, but by the time the FD arrived the roof had already been breached, and collapsed soon after

[RebelOne]

4. There was a really horrific fire here in the Atlanta area.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/no-working-smoke-detectors-deadly-fire/nTsHt/

Four children were killed.

[SoCalDem]

5. How awful..

Smoke detectors are so cheap..there's no excuse to not have them..

poor little kids

[freshwest]

7. The Fire Department regularly checks the smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers and even installed

carbon monoxide detectors last month where I live.

We have sprinkler heads all over and automatic locking fire doors in the hallways. All of these things being done by FD may sound like overkill, but look at the possibilities, as you proved.

Your son did a good job. But I'm wondering, where did all the tenants end up - this is still a tragedy for all of them, despite that your son prevented the loss of lives. Is the apartment owner going to rebuild?

[SoCalDem]

8. They were all able to get apartments within the complex (It's HUGE)

but the ones who did not have renter's insurance have had a total loss ..The whole 3rd floor was burned out/caved in..and the other two floors had massive water damage..

[freshwest]

10. Well, that's good news. My complex mandates we have full insurance that provides housing, too.

Not that I think we're going to burn, or anything. But if something goes wrong and sprinklers go off, it'll destroy everything, they promise. Something about how many pounds of pressure will shoot out and the fireman told me last month something I hadn't thought of - the water would be rusty, too. So here's hoping no fires.

Naybe the renters without insurance will get good deals on replacing their household goods. Sounds like this will be okay - and that even the pets out, is a real comfort to the renters.

Thanks for this good (despite bad) news story.

[Mnemosyne]

6. Your son sounds like a very courageous man. So glad everyone was safe. nt

[lunatica]

9. Well your son is a true blue hero!

He'll never have to go through life wondering if he would react appropriately under danger. He's already proven his courage and his heart.