Friday 13 January 2012

276. Heroes



This was the scene outside our house/ shop last night.  We were having a perfectly normal evening when at around 9:30pm my daughter and I noticed a strange smell.  We thought it may be an electrical kind of smell and checked the sockets in the living room where we were.  We found them to be OK but the smell was getting stronger.

I walked along the hall towards the kitchen and was totally shocked to see the shadows of flames dancing on the wall.  The dishwasher was on fire.

My other daughter was, unfortunately, in the shower but had just come out as the power had gone off.  Ewan had been working late in the shop and he also came through to see why the power was off.  I bundled the girls out of the house as quickly as possible whilst dialling 999, and Ewan ran off to get a fire extinguisher.

The fire fighters came - one engine from Inverbervie and another from Laurencekirk.  By the time they arrived Ewan had managed to get the fire out, but the house was filled with smoke.  Seeing the firefighters with breathing apparatus on through our kitchen window was a kind of surreal experience, and not one I ever want to repeat.

They were very efficient, friendly and caring.  Most are reserve firefighters, and one I was talking to told me he'd been watching telly in bed when the call came.  What a great bunch of people.

Please remember this story when you switch your appliances on - don't ever leave the house or go to bed with your dishwasher, washing machine or tumble drier on.  It's the kind of thing you think will never happen to you.  Our dishwasher has always worked perfectly... until it suddenly burst into flames.

Please take heed and tell everyone you know.



Today has been spent alternating between endless phone calls to insurance companies and endless cleaning.  Not quite what I'd intended for the last day of my week off - I had a facial booked!

4 comments:

  1. Such a well written post Kate. Feeling all emotional for you all. Thank goodness Ewan managed to put it out quickly and you all got out safe! Thinking of you all xx

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  2. Oh Kate, what a nightmare and a shock for you all!
    Your photos show how devastating fire can be.
    All these devices with timer delays entice you to use appliances at all hours...thanks for the reminder tho.
    Glad you are all safe.
    What a great bunch of heroes too, including Ewan!
    Thinking of you all having to sort out the after effects.
    Ali xx
    Hope you do get chance for your facial sometime!

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  3. OMG Kate. I was thinking of tinkering with our temperamental cooker but - oh no, I will NOT! Thank God it happened while you were able to see it and call for help x x x

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  4. Only glad that you are all ok. Shame this had to happen, all the mess you now have to clear up. I also agree, these guys risk their own lives for us. My sister-in-law is a fire chief in Glasgow and loves her job, never complains about half eaten meals rushing off to a job etc. We are very thankful for such a great service.

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