23 June 2009

I only tried to burn my house down...





Last Monday, 6/15/09, I thought it would be nice to make me some dinner and steam up some yummy fresh beans out of my garden. Ya, that would have been nice. I turned on the Wrong burner. The one behind it had a pot with a little oil in the bottom (I think I'd made scones or something the day before). Well, who needs to watch beans steam or pasta boil? So I went and was playing with my coming baby's carseat in my room. After a few minutes, I went to check on my dinner, and coming out of my room, I could see the kitchen: it was glowing! I couldn't fathom what on earth had caught fire! So I ran to the kitchen to find that pot of oil up in flames and the shelves above the stove burning.

I was super woman for probably 20 seconds! I got a lid and smothered the oil fire in the pot. The knob to that burner was completely melted off! So I carefully took the pot and placed it in the empty sink. Next I turned my attention to the wood shelves. I got a big mixing bowl and started filling it with water in my other sink, adjacent to the one with the oil. Well, some water splashed over. Oil + heat + water = fire again. I think that is when I burned my hand. Putting that pot out the second time. It went right up in flame, I'm surprised the curtains didn't catch. Once that was out.. again.. I CAREFULLY filled my bowl with water a few times and threw it on the flames above the sink and got that out likewise. Next I pulled out the stove from the wall and unplugged it to get that glowing element off cause I couldn't turn a knob that no longer exists.

Now that the flame was out and my house was FULL of smoke, I broke into tears and became quite hysterical. It was the Most intense and scary experience of my life. I called and texted Quinton till he finally answered. Through my sobbing, he had no clue what was wrong and thought I was in labor. I did get the fire across eventually, and he left work immediately and came home.

I got the bowl with water and ice for my hand and after opening a few windows and doors, left the smoke and went and sat on the cement porch out front and cried and cried. When Quinton came home, he said I looked so pitiful and sad. He went and got a washcloth and started to wipe my face. I thought my mascara must be everywhere! He later said no, I was all black from soot!

We still have a house, and still have a kitchen. I am so grateful for so many things relating to this incident. It could have been so bad. I prayed and prayed that night with so much gratitude to my Heavenly Father. For a clear head in putting it out, for the strength and bravery, for my safety and the safety of my baby, for the burn only being on my hand, for my husband in responding to quick and loving, for the minimal damage that happened, for everything.

3 comments:

Melinda said...

Oh my gosh!!! Laura, I am sorry about the fire and your hand. But I'm so glad to hear you and the baby are fine. That must have been scary. Wow! You are one brave mama!

tami and todd said...

Good heavens Laura! Do I need to send over a babysitter!?! You need to take care of yourself when your pregnant don't you know!?!

bequi said...

Holy, Holy cow.