Jul 16, 2008

Home fires can claim lives, belongings

By LJ Anderson / Daily News Columnist

Fires that start in the home are relatively common, and we hear sirens responding to them on a regular basis. But when a fire happens to you, it takes on a whole new meaning. The damage and loss can be immense, and depending upon the combustibility and type of structure, it can happen astonishingly fast. U.S. firefighters responded to over 412,500 residential fires in 2006 with a resulting 2,620 deaths, 12,925 injuries and billions in property damage. Smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, an escape plan and other precautions are recommended by experts who know how quickly a fire can start and spread (www.firesafety.gov).

In 2001 Kate Williams Browne, her husband, Marty and their two children lost their Page Mill home to fire, and have since rebuilt in the same location.

Q: How was your family affected by fire?

A: At 4 a.m. on Sept. 24, 2001, we were awakened by our 13-year-old son, Campbell, shouting. My husband, Marty, and I rushed down the hall to find his bedroom wall on fire. I hollered, "Everybody out!" as Julia, our daughter, joined us all running downstairs. Marty sped outdoors to assess the fire on the outside of the house, as there was no smoke yet in the house. I told Julia, then 16, to get the cars up the driveway, and Campbell, to get the dog. I called 911, grabbed my purse and sweatshirt, put on running shoes, and left the door open so the cats could run out. By that time Marty had the garden hose on, and I turned the propane off at the tank. "We're going to lose it," he told me. How could that be, I wondered, when it was only on the outside? I sprinted up the driveway with my cell phone, finding the kids and dog in one of the vehicles, and had Julia call 911 again. We heard the smoke alarm finally kick in, and could see headlights coming south along Skyline Boulevard, so we knew the volunteer fire department was on its way. By the time they arrived, half of the back of the house was on fire, and flames lit up over the roof. Firefighter reinforcements were called in so fire did not spread to the forest around us. By dawn, the house had (mostly) burned down. The cause turned out to be a gas leak in a shed where the propane tied off to the house and hot tub equipment. The shed window was open, thus preventing an explosion, but there was enough gas build-up to spark a fire from the pilot light. The wooden shed started burning slowly on the outside, probably just past midnight, and then crept up the outside wall to Campbell's bedroom above.
Q: How did your life change as a result?

A: We were rocked to the core. Trauma heals over time and in different ways. Julia wanted a fish tank in her rental bedroom, as the water sound soothed her. Campbell spent a lot of time with his friends, visiting their well-established homes and rooms. Marty got to work on the insurance issues, and I bought new comforters and pillows. We kept routines so we could hold onto some semblance of "normal." Then I began to have sleep problems, and eventually, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome five to six months later. This was only after the kids, alarmed, came to me and said, "Mom, you aren't yourself anymore." I had become so flat and dulled to pretty much everything.

In the process, I was taught a whole new level of detachment to things, although, I still lament the loss of photos of the children growing up, our wedding and college years and ornaments from my grandmother's time and my mother's silver - things that link to my past. I tear up when I think of the art projects, little gifts and "tooth fairy notes" from my own children that I have lost forever.

(But) I have also become more appreciative and communicative about my feelings of gratitude. I will be forever in awe of the dozens of people who opened their hearts and resources to us. We would come out in the morning to take the kids to school, and there would be a bag of clothes specially chosen for my great big husband. When we'd return in the late afternoon, there would be a complete dinner, including recipes and dishes. So many were so generous for so long, and I am forever in their debt.

Q: What precautions have you taken to avoid a recurrence, and what do you recommend to others?

A: We have a totally upgraded internal sprinkler system, and wiring and pipes from the propane tank into the house and other external equipment are completely changed. (I would) pay close attention to how your house is wired, and have your escape plans up-to-date. Have a fire-proof safe and use it, as the things in ours were about all that remained. Look at your insurance plan: Had ours not been set up, we would not have recovered our losses financially. Many companies regularly under-insure and do not provide replacement costs. And, remember that you can always replace things, but never people. I could have gone back in the house to get stuff, but I would have put my family in jeopardy. We may have lost material possessions, but we kept each other safe.


LJ Anderson writes on health matters every Tuesday. She can be reached at lj.anderson@yahoo.com.