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I am glad to see that no one has missed me these last couple of weeks. Here is what I've been up to.



On the 28th of May at 4:30 am, I was awoken by heavy knocking at my door. I got out of bed and looked out off my landing window to see a fireman walking around my driveway. I banged on the window to get his attention and he waved to me to come out pointing up at the building next to mine at the same time.

I quickly put on my jeans and fleece jacket over my sleeping attire and went outside. The fireman told me that the top floor of the building next to mine was on fire and he advised me to get anything valuable out.

I dashed up to my top floor which I used as my lounge. It is set in the roof of the building and is where I have taken those views of the clouds and sunsets that you can find in one of my FG albums. The room was full of smoke.

I first thought of my PC as it has all my data on it. I could feel the heat from the wall as I grabbed it. I took it outside and the fireman took it off me. I dashed back up again wondering what to take next. There are so many things that are valuable to me. I wanted my vinyl collection next but the fireman had already started shouting at me to get out so I had to leave it. At this point, the fire had spread to my roof. When I got outside, I was amazed to see three fire tenders.



So, I stood and watched as the fireman directed a constant stream of water over the two buildings. My camera was on top of the PC I had removed earlier and I’d put it in my pocket at the time. The angle of the photo was the best angle I could get at the time.

After a couple of hours, a rehabilitation unit run by a charity arrived and I finally had somewhere to sit and they made me a cuppa. That’s when I realised how cold I was.

At about 10:30 am, I was finally allowed back inside. Despite watching the proceedings, I was still unprepared for the sight inside.



The firemen had to smash in the roof of my building to get to the fire which was travelling along the rafters. The water from the hose caused the ceiling of my bedroom to give way.











I had been taken away when the press photographer turned up later. Some of the fire crew remained to investigate the cause of the fire.



Here you will find better external photos of the buildings. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/EditorialGallery.aspx?ArticleID=5310168&SectionID=39 The fire started in the roof of the building with the scaffolding. My home was the end terrace over the sandwich shop.

I shall miss the sandwich shop. The lady that used to manage it used to take good care of me. If ever I went down for a butty, I’d get a complete meal with afters. It was a happy shop. I would always hear music and laughter from here.



There is always some good comes out of bad. My landlord, who is a fairly decent bloke as landlords go, has a son who located another property for me. It is in another part of Leeds. It is a two-bedroomed house and my new landlord provided a bed both for me and for my daughter. He hasn’t started developing the place yet, but I can wait. This answers my unspoken plea for a two-bedroomed place.

The fire, from a spiritual point of view, represents the bitterness between my ex-landlord and the landlord of the building where the fire originally started. I didn’t get on too well with the other landlord either. I found him generally disrespectful, he treats his workers and staff badly, and he cares only for money and position.



As for me, I am just so very grateful to whoever called the fire brigade. If they hadn’t been called, I may not be here to tell this story. Though I have yet to properly count the cost to my various collections and assets, I have the most precious thing – my life. Having said that, from a spiritual point of view, it is clear that I was not meant to be disabled or killed by this event. Though this thought came to me in hindsight.

What a horrible thing to have to go through! Sounds like you have a good attitude about it though. Wishing you lots of good luck in the future.

Im glad your safe. Ive seen what fires do. Im glad your safe.

OM that is terrible I'm so glad your alright and have a new roof over your head. As Nomad stated I too have seen what fires can do it is never good. Take care and enjoy your new 2 bedroom place.

Thanks guys. Your words mean a lot to me.

As a child I used to have so many nightmares about fires. So, my Mum taught me how to make a fire in the old coal fireplace and my nightmares stopped. I was 8 years old then. I learnt how to respect a fire and to control it safely without panicking from fear. Nonetheless, as soon as the fireman said "Get out", I did. I couldn't see the fire and it wasn't under my control.



I have my late parents old record collection too which includes 78s. Among these is one of my childhood favourites which was a 12" 78rpm recording by Disney. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. If I remember rightly, the singer is Ann Stevens. I'm hoping that my 4-speed record deck is ok.

One collection that I know has been decimated is my sculpted birds of prey. Beautifully crafted and painted, there used to be 12 sculptures each in its own box. There are only 8 boxes that I could find and in one of those are two broken sculptures together. I'm wondering what the significance of this may be since both the forenames given to our daughter individually by her mother and myself pertain to eagle - Arabella Arlette. I'll take a photo sometime of what I have left of that collection for posting on here.

It's a shocking thing to happen, I'm glad you're in one piece.

I'm glad your fine Roger. Its a good thing too that the fire officer stopped you from going in again. Its understandable you would want to rescue your belongings but there's a fear that you wouldn't think of your own safety.

Its good to hear that your safe

What a scary time you had, glad that everything has turned out ok now. That's great for you and Arabella that you now have the two bedroom place you wanted. :-6

Oh Roger, I'm so sorry, what a dreadful thing to happen. Please don't feel you weren't missed, btw, I think people are here at such different times that you never really know if someone is awol until 6 months have passed. I'm lucky to be here for half an hour on a weekend sometimes.

Its a dreadful thing to happen but how lucky you are to be given a new 2 bedroom place. My in-laws had the same thing happen to them only it was the folks upstairs whose cooker caught fire. The firemen deluged the upstairs flat with water which destroyed their home too. Everything was flooded and they had no insurance. They also hadn't been able to get anything out in time! The beds and sofas had to be aired and everything washed as it stank of smoke. All the walls had to be repainted and although it now looks clean and aired they have a terrible problem with damp as the walls have never dried properly. The landlord doesn't care - so long as they pay their rent. :-5 At least you and your daughter won't have to live in a smoke-infested waterlogged home.

When I used to live in London, I lived opposite some council flats. A lot of the people there were dossers and drunks whom they were trying to get off the streets. One old guy came home drunk one night and, deciding he was hungry, thought he would fry himself a bacon sandwich. Then he decided he was too tired to eat and crashed out on the sofa instead - leaving the bacon frying! Of course, a neighbour eventually saw the flames and the firemen had to wake the drunk and drag him out! That's why I hate the idea of living in flats - it doesn't matter how safety conscious you are - a thoughtless neighbour could put your family in danger.

I'm so glad you're safe and well, and rehoused too! Its so horrible to lose all your stuff but at the end of the day it's still just stuff. You and your family's lives are worth way more than 'stuff'. I'm so glad you and Arabella are okay. Hugs to you both. :yh_hugs:yh_hugs Mel. x

OpenMind;1202669 wrote: One collection that I know has been decimated is my sculpted birds of prey. Beautifully crafted and painted, there used to be 12 sculptures each in its own box. There are only 8 boxes that I could find and in one of those are two broken sculptures together. I'm wondering what the significance of this may be since both the forenames given to our daughter individually by her mother and myself pertain to eagle - Arabella Arlette. I'll take a photo sometime of what I have left of that collection for posting on here.


Years ago I used to do insurance restoration work. Fires, floods, Hurricane Andrew etc.

I would get in peoples homes right after it was cleared to do so with the fire chief usually alongside the owners.

None of the big things ever mattered. It was the little treasures and photos that cant be replaced.

In a sense your lucky. We dont all get such a harsh awakening. It has a way of providing keen insight. Thats always beneficial.

Wow, what an adventure. I am glad you and your daughter are all right-that is the most important thing of all. :-4

As soon as the fireman said "out", I got out. As I say, I couldn't see where the fire was. I could feel the heat. On top of that, I was having a hard time with the smoke.

I don't mind not being missed, Mel. I consider it a blessing. No ripples and all that.

I haven't even checked the photos yet. They were there beside the books.

I'm happy to say that Arabella wasn't with me when this happened. She would have probably got to sit in a fire tender if she were.

I had to smile. Two of the fire crews actually had a shift changeover while I was there.

OpenMind;1202789 wrote: As soon as the fireman said "out", I got out. As I say, I couldn't see where the fire was. I could feel the heat. On top of that, I was having a hard time with the smoke.

I don't mind not being missed, Mel. I consider it a blessing. No ripples and all that.

I haven't even checked the photos yet. They were there beside the books.

I'm happy to say that Arabella wasn't with me when this happened. She would have probably got to sit in a fire tender if she were.

I had to smile. Two of the fire crews actually had a shift changeover while I was there.




Oh Roger:-4,



I am so terribly sorry to hear about this fire. It must have devistated you. Thank goodness you got out safely. AND, it's not that you weren't missed. It just seems that members go missing for weeks at a time just due to life issues. You would be missed terribly:-6



I must look at your pictures again....truly awful.



Would you like for me to cyber over some of my home made bread...Just don't let it hit you in the head:rolleyes:

WHAATTTT?

This is craziness!

Im glad you're alright.

Please post your birds of prey when you can

Best wishes to you and your fam

Kathy Ellen;1202791 wrote: Oh Roger:-4,



I am so terribly sorry to hear about this fire. It must have devistated you. Thank goodness you got out safely. AND, it's not that you weren't missed. It just seems that members go missing for weeks at a time just due to life issues. You would be missed terribly:-6



I must look at your pictures again....truly awful.



Would you like for me to cyber over some of my home made bread...Just don't let it hit you in the head:rolleyes:






Absolutely, KE. I would love some of your bread.:-6

Tan, I will post the pics as soon as I can reach the birds.

Good to have you back Roger. I'm so glad you're ok :-6:-4

Crikey of course you were missed !!!

Good lord I am glad to hear you are ok. What a hellish thing to go through.

Huggs to you OM.:-4

Thanks, PC and Minks.:-6

OpenMind;1202647 wrote: I am glad to see that no one has missed me these last couple of weeks. Here is what I've been up to.



On the 28th of May at 4:30 am, I was awoken by heavy knocking at my door. I got out of bed and looked out off my landing window to see a fireman walking around my driveway. I banged on the window to get his attention and he waved to me to come out pointing up at the building next to mine at the same time.

I quickly put on my jeans and fleece jacket over my sleeping attire and went outside. The fireman told me that the top floor of the building next to mine was on fire and he advised me to get anything valuable out.

I dashed up to my top floor which I used as my lounge. It is set in the roof of the building and is where I have taken those views of the clouds and sunsets that you can find in one of my FG albums. The room was full of smoke.

I first thought of my PC as it has all my data on it. I could feel the heat from the wall as I grabbed it. I took it outside and the fireman took it off me. I dashed back up again wondering what to take next. There are so many things that are valuable to me. I wanted my vinyl collection next but the fireman had already started shouting at me to get out so I had to leave it. At this point, the fire had spread to my roof. When I got outside, I was amazed to see three fire tenders.



So, I stood and watched as the fireman directed a constant stream of water over the two buildings. My camera was on top of the PC I had removed earlier and I’d put it in my pocket at the time. The angle of the photo was the best angle I could get at the time.

After a couple of hours, a rehabilitation unit run by a charity arrived and I finally had somewhere to sit and they made me a cuppa. That’s when I realised how cold I was.

At about 10:30 am, I was finally allowed back inside. Despite watching the proceedings, I was still unprepared for the sight inside.



The firemen had to smash in the roof of my building to get to the fire which was travelling along the rafters. The water from the hose caused the ceiling of my bedroom to give way.











I had been taken away when the press photographer turned up later. Some of the fire crew remained to investigate the cause of the fire.



Here you will find better external photos of the buildings. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/EditorialGallery.aspx?ArticleID=5310168&SectionID=39 The fire started in the roof of the building with the scaffolding. My home was the end terrace over the sandwich shop.

I shall miss the sandwich shop. The lady that used to manage it used to take good care of me. If ever I went down for a butty, I’d get a complete meal with afters. It was a happy shop. I would always hear music and laughter from here.



There is always some good comes out of bad. My landlord, who is a fairly decent bloke as landlords go, has a son who located another property for me. It is in another part of Leeds. It is a two-bedroomed house and my new landlord provided a bed both for me and for my daughter. He hasn’t started developing the place yet, but I can wait. This answers my unspoken plea for a two-bedroomed place.

The fire, from a spiritual point of view, represents the bitterness between my ex-landlord and the landlord of the building where the fire originally started. I didn’t get on too well with the other landlord either. I found him generally disrespectful, he treats his workers and staff badly, and he cares only for money and position.



As for me, I am just so very grateful to whoever called the fire brigade. If they hadn’t been called, I may not be here to tell this story. Though I have yet to properly count the cost to my various collections and assets, I have the most precious thing – my life. Having said that, from a spiritual point of view, it is clear that I was not meant to be disabled or killed by this event. Though this thought came to me in hindsight.




omg.......I missed you, no wonder you never returned my emails.

I am so sorry! thank god you are alright my friend!:-4

glad you are ok OM

my brother died in a house fire so i have just jumped in and posted on the last page in case there are photo's its still a bit rore for me ,belongings can be replaced people cant be ,glad you are ok

farmer giles;1202988 wrote: glad you are ok OM



my brother died in a house fire so i have just jumped in and posted on the last page in case there are photo's its still a bit rore for me ,belongings can be replaced people cant be ,glad you are ok


I'm so sorry Farmer.

This was my first experience and I can say I wouldn't wish it on anyone.



Odie.



omg.......I missed you, no wonder you never returned my emails.

I am so sorry! thank god you are alright my friend!:-4




I got them in the end.:-6

That firecracker one had me wincing.:yh_rotfl

The main thing is that you are back and you are okay. It must have been very frightening.

I am glad that you are well, although I am sure a bit shook up after that. Possessions can be replaced, people can’t.

OpenMind;1203053 wrote: I'm so sorry Farmer.

This was my first experience and I can say I wouldn't wish it on anyone.



Odie.



I got them in the end.:-6

That firecracker one had me wincing.:yh_rotfl


that was on huge firecracker my friend.

mikeinie;1203064 wrote: The main thing is that you are back and you are okay. It must have been very frightening.

I am glad that you are well, although I am sure a bit shook up after that. Possessions can be replaced, people can’t.


Thanks Mike. The door to my flat could have been taken as the back door to the shop. The fireman banged on it anyway and that's what woke me up. At that point, the fire was above me in the house next door where it started. Though the room above where I slept was full of smoke.

Odie;1203077 wrote: that was on huge firecracker my friend.


Dumb ass comes to mind.:-5

OpenMind;1203236 wrote: Dumb ass comes to mind.:-5


no kidding.



that must have been terrifying.

Odie;1203239 wrote: no kidding.





that must have been terrifying.


I can't imagine anyone pulling a stunt like that on purpose. Just shows how poor my imagination is.:rolleyes:

OpenMind;1203244 wrote: I can't imagine anyone pulling a stunt like that on purpose. Just shows how poor my imagination is.:rolleyes:


does make you wonder.

at least you have a 2 bedroom now!:guitarist:guitarist

Odie;1203251 wrote: does make you wonder.



at least you have a 2 bedroom now!:guitarist:guitarist


I know. It's amazing how things work out.

minks;1202862 wrote: Crikey of course you were missed !!!



Good lord I am glad to hear you are ok. What a hellish thing to go through.



Huggs to you OM.:-4


Really ? Did you start a wheres om thread ? I didnt see one, did anyone else see one ?

No I dont think they did.

Nomad;1203400 wrote: Really ? Did you start a wheres om thread ? I didnt see one, did anyone else see one ?

No I dont think they did.


I really don't care if anyone missed me or not. There's only one important person in my life, and she didn't miss me at all.:-6

never ever think you weren`t missed!



(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))

Odie;1203424 wrote: never ever think you weren`t missed!







(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))


Ok. If you insist.

OpenMind;1203438 wrote: Ok. If you insist.


thank you.

Odie;1203441 wrote: thank you.


My pleasure.