I had quite a terrifying experience on Tuesday evening. A fire broke out in our kitchen when I was almost finished cooking. I had just gone to another room and the smoke detector alarmed so I went straight back and the area above the hot plates was in flame. I threw the fire blanket over the flame but suspected it had already gone up through the rangehood into the ceiling. I then slipped on the floor and kept slipping, as I had spilt some of the curry while trying to extinguish the flame.
I knew the fire was getting away from me so I immediately called '000' (hysterically by this time may I add) and within about seven minutes two then a third fire engine came. They were here for three hours as the roof trusses and beams kept smouldering. They were wonderful as they kept informing us what they were doing and the progress.
Meanwhile I was outside on oxygen after coughing and coughing from smoke inhalation. Then I became terribly nauseous (probably shock) so the 'firies' called the ambulance just to double check. One of the firemen went inside with his mask on and retrieved my bag which held my solucortef and I was just about to give myself a dose, needle and syringe in hand poised ready to plunge into the muscle when the 'amboes' walked up the driveway and what a disgusted look they had on their faces. I think they thought I was a junkie!!! So I showed then the solucortef bottle and explained what it was for in between coughing episodes.
Yesterday morning when we came back from the motel where we spent the night it was horrible, the ceiling in the kitchen, dining and living room had collapsed in the night. Many of the roof tiles disintegrated in the heat. Smoke damage and ash is in every room except the rooms which had closed doors at the time of the fire. Then the clean-up team came in, removing plaster, soggy burnt insulation 'pink batts' and stabilising the structure and putting tarps on the roof and the electrician came to disconnect all the burnt wiring. The electricity company came back last night to test everything and return the main house fuse which they took the night before so at least there are some lights we can use when we come in to pick up clothes etc. The gas company came and checked for any ruptured gas lines and gave the all-clear.
The insurance assessor should have come yesterday but was sick so another one is coming tomorrow. It's sort of hard wondering what they will say and knowing rebuilding time lines and whether we can come back and live in part of the house or whether they consider it unsafe. Anyway the insurance company have organised motel accomodation for us 'til the end of the weekend and then we'll see what happens.
Another few minutes and the whole house would have been much more damaged. So it could have been a lot worse but as I've found out a fire is fairly disrupting. We feel like gypsies at present.
