Story # 2: Apartment Fire

After the last story, you're probably thinking, "What's he going to tell us now.....that he started an aprtment complex on fire?" No. Just mine.

I shared an a apartment with a friend of mine back in the 80's. He was taking college classes, and I did the midnight shift at a country radio station about an hour south of us. I also did the Saturday 6 to midnight shift there.

It was winter time, and we had been using the fireplace a lot (it actually was cold enough in the Houston area to use the fireplace that winter!). I told him to leave the vent in the fireplace open, and we always did. Until one night.

I came home late one Saturday night after I got off the air, and walked into the apartment to find it about 40 degrees--he had turned the heat off. I went out onto the balcony, grabbed some wood and set it in the fireplace, threw some stuff under it to kindle, and lit the kindling. Then I went to the bathroom.

I came out about a minute later to find smoke in the air and flames going up the wall! He had closed the vent! In my panic, I stuck my hand in the fireplace to open the vent, but that didn't work--too hot! I burned my hand pretty well! I found the poker and attempted to open the vent--no way! My panic was pretty high at this point!

I ran into the kitchen and saw two big Slurpee cups on the counter--thank God they were there! The faucet went on, and they were filled, and I ran and threw the water on the flames, believing that my effort would be in vain, to tell you the truth. Five trips later, and probably at least that many pounds off me, the flames were out. I stood there in front of the fireplace, gasping for air (I was out of breath, to say the least!) and thanking our Lord.

I opened the sliding door out to the balcony and the front door to air out the place, and realized -- it was going to still be cold in there for a while yet, because it was cold outside, and I needed to air the place out. Monday, I went down and told the manager, and got permission to re-paint the wall above the fireplace. The mantle, which was wood, I thought looked a little cooler due to being licked by the flames.

Two things came out of this -- I was immensely thankful we were spared our place. And second -- make sure the vent is open before you light the fire. :)

blessings,
fr francis