h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Last we went out to leisurely dinner with Lee and Dan. We were gone about two and a half hours. They were heading out to some friends to spend the night and we were all going to meet tomorrow at Stronghold. Dan realized he needed to stop back at our house on the way out west.

We swung by the filling station…they needed to tank up and Barton needed cigarettes. They told us to go on ahead and that they would meet us at the house.

Even before we entered, I notice something wrong. There appeared to be a haze through the living room. It turned out to be smoke. Barton immediately headed for the kitchen, thinking of course that the oven or stove had been left going. Wrong.

The house reeked of burning plastic. I started calling for the dogs and my heart was in my mouth when only Molly came (ok so they don’t come when called but sheesh) Bryce finally wandered out of our bedroom. The bird appeared to be ok…but unusually quiet.

Barton then headed to check out his office. For those of you who have seen his office, I need not say anymore. For those of you who haven’t, it is/was/ever will be a fire waiting to happen. He quickly asked me for some water (which by the way, made the smell and smoke much, MUCH worse).

Rather than even attempt to describe the damage, as I said, a picture is worth a thousand words.

http://www.eznetinc.net/users/brolsky/office1.jpg

http://www.eznetinc.net/users/brolsky/office2.jpg

http://www.eznetinc.net/users/brolsky/office3.jpg

http://www.eznetinc.net/users/brolsky/office4.jpg

(But he does think the keyboard and phone might still be usable)

I couldn’t take a picture of the 1/2 ‘ thick glass table top Barton was using to extend the desk where the keyboard sat…that had shattered from the heat. (which I assume put the keyboard on the paper-strewed carpet.) Likewise, I didn’t not take pictures of the charred paper near the area.

We are now and forever more a NO SMOKING HOUSE!

No one was hurt. The damage was minor. I wrote this two hours later. All the fans were going full blast and all the windows were open…and it still reeked (but not quite as bad). (Thanks Dan for all the air freshener )





But seriously, to any of you who read this that smoke or know someone who smokes, take heed in what just one cigarette left smoldering can do.

We are so very, very lucky that no one was hurt. Our pets are still alive. And we still have a roof over our heads.

Our plans for today were to leave the animals at home for the day. We would have been gone 14 hours. If it happened today, when we came home, would they still have been alive? Would we still have had a house?

I think it is very, very doubtful.

I am just happy everyone is ok. Someone was looking out for you.