What a day! I thought I'd have adventures in Chicago but I, P3, did not expect what I've been through. Last night about 2:00 a.m., we smelled smoke and saw flames coming from the chimney. Taffy called the Chicago Fire Department and it was just like the TV program, Chicago Fire. About 10 fire fighters showed up and poured water down the chimney and in some other areas and put the fire out. They thought.
About 10:30 this morning, we all smelled smoke again. It got sort of strong, but we called the non-emergency number. They sent out an investigating team -- that means three fire trucks and 2 police cars. While they were here, the fire really broke out and smoke billowed out of the walls by the fireplace! They tore the wall apart and put it out. It started in the downstairs unit's fireplace, not ours. He invited us all to dinner as he felt bad. Suddenly electricity went out. Jim went upstairs. There was smoke everywhere!
So then we called the fire department AGAIN! And they came out and found a fire in the floor between the lower and upper units. They tore apart the lower unit walls and some of Taffy and Jim's walls. It was a mess before but now it's a much bigger mess.
They said the fire was out and told Taffy and Jim to move to a hotel. But they didn't want to leave me and my friends like Danbo behind, just in case. So we are sleeping 'in shifts' tonight -- taking turns. It's a little scary but we think the fire is finally out.
WOW!! I didn't know I'd have THIS kind of adventure here!
This photo is from our time up 'on the roof' which Taffy promised me I'd get to go visit. It's very cool up here, but I'm glad mostly that I was away from the horrible smell of smoke. I like it here, but wish it weren't quite so exciting.
Oh my goodness! Poor P3 ... Poor Taffy ... Poof Jim ... Poor Danbo. Even Taffy's misadventures on Beaver Island pale to your misadventures. Hope that fire is finally out. Oh...I really like the rooftop view.
Fantastic shot. It's a great story too. It must have been scary. I have had a job like that at a restaurant. as we were pouring water down what was a blocked chimney, it started coming out of lower fireplaces. It got very messy too. I hope everybody is ok, and things settle down.
oh my goodness. Good acting on your behalf.. hope everything is safe and back to normal soon
cool shot.. but that's probably the least of your concerns!!
OMG, Taffy and friends, it sounds so scary, hope all is under control. Nobody needs so much action. I was agitated with my beehive but it's peanuts next to this.
Taffy and Jim, so glad you and all your possessions are intact. Sounds like your apartment is a bit of a mess :( it must all have been a lot terrifying.
Oh my goodness what a terrible day you have all had. Hope P3 recovers and doesn't need therapy. Good to hear you are all okay though. sounds as though you have got a lot of damage to repair.
Oh my goodness Taffy what a scare for you and Jim!! What a mess you must now have to deal with. It must have been so frightening - I hope they have finally sorted it out!! Now you have to sort out the damage. Thank goodness P3 and Danbo and all your belongings are ok. Take care - you need to lead a much quieter life!!
Holy Smoke! Literally! So glad that you are ok. I hope that your insurance will get it fixed up quickly and without fuss. I can't believe you had to call them 3 times!
Oh dear, that sounds awful! I hope it's all out and you are all ok. That certainly is a lot to go through. Fabulous shot though! I admire the fact that you managed to keep up to date with 365 with all the goings on!
I'm amazed and impressed that at a time like this you found the time and motivation to take what is an excellent shot in its own right. You get a Fav for the image and the story and my best wishes for a speedy return to normal.
Oh my stars — multiple fires in your home. So glad you smelled the smoke and could call emergency services. I'm with Richard on being impressed that you could take an amusing image amid all the chaos and concern about your home and its belongings.
Your very cool shot caught my eye (I like the focus on your penguin) and then I read with distress about your three fires.... three??? What a scary mess. I am so sorry, but glad no one was hurt.
Poor P3, he sounds like he might need therapy! So sorry to hear about the fires! I hope you didn't lose any valuables! How scary!! Great shot, nonetheless.
@rosiekerr@888rachel Thanks Rosie and Rachel...just wanted to clarify because we've now had our 4th call and the fire department had to deploy all means necessary to put out what was clearly smoldering embers. To do that, they used hoses, not hand-held, and had to chop into the walls and floors and ceilings so our house in now in ruin. They were trying to avoid that the earlier times and had thought they were able to get the fire because surrounding areas were clean/clear and no 'hot spots' were showing up on their machines. If they had done what they ended up having to do the first time, I'm fairly certain we would have been complaining horribly about their excessive aggressive tactics. But, in the end, this was quite terrifying and overwhelming to see our house by the end of the fire fighting. It lasted from 4:30 a.m. through about 9:30 a.m. this morning, then another few hours with insurance adjusters. We're now in a hotel and they are looking for housing for us for the next 6 months as our house is rebuilt. Ironic that the mentor group is doing street photography. I sadly have a lot of it from this morning. But, the Chicago Fire Department really did its best not to put us through what we are now going to be going through. I'll post the details later tonight or tomorrow. I appreciate your kind words!
@vignouse I can't take credit for the taking of the shot in the middle of all this -- it was only posting, because I thought things were settled -- I find 365 to be so relaxing at the end of the day. Sadly, things weren't settled (see above post). At least we are safe, and I was able to return to the house today to get P3, Big Danbo, and Little Danbo -- wet but safe and in one piece.
Taffy, I'm so glad you and yours (collectively) are ok. What a horrible thing to go through. I will hold positive thoughts that all is well as quickly as possible.
Taffy. I am so sorry to hear of the huge upheaval you'll be hoping through. Glad though that you are safe. Hope you get found housing, the insurance/ paper work is quick and without unnecessary frustration. May you rest well tonight. I am sure it must be a huge shock for you. Wishing you the best to get through the months ahead.
@taffy I'm sure you would. Hope you get some sleep and rest so you can deal with the process of realigning your lives for the next few months. I'm sure you'll find lots of online emotional support here and I hope and am certain you will have lots of practical and "real" support from those that surround you in daily life.
OMG, what a nightmare! I'm so glad that you and yours are safe. I certainly hope that after all this I will make sure those fireplaces are up to code and safe. My thoughts and prayers are with you through this terrible ordeal.
Oh dear, I am so glad you are all okay! We had friends who had a similar experience in their home- SCARY!!! It's incredible that you've even posted! I hope life will now calm down and you'll be able to get your apartment back together asap!
Thank goodness everyone's okay. You can replace plaster and stuff. Must ask if the "hotties" from Chicago Fire came to your rescue? LOL Bet P3 yearns for cooler temperatures.
Wow so scary, so glad you all are OK. We had a chimney fire when I was younger but got lucky in that it was contained. Glad P3 got his view tho, the shot and comp are just great.
Hells' bells Taffy, what an awful experience you've been through. So scary and in the middle of the night too. I've had to deal with two chimney fires at the farm and was scared stiff. So glad to hear you and Jim are safe and well, not to mention the good professor. Take care, I hope life settles down for you soon.
First this is a great capture...love the pov and focus and of course P3!! So glad you are all safe and how horribly scary that must have been. You have some work ahead of you and thoughts are prayers with you all.
I can't believe that it got even worse. It must have been a shock to see your house ruined like that. I suppose it must still feel a bit unreal. Were you able to save the things most precious to you? Thinking of you, and so glad that you got out safely.
oh my gosh, Taffy. What an amazing story. So glad nobody was hurt. I'm amazed that you were able to shoot a beautiful and significant photo in the midst of a pretty scary adventure.
Gosh, what an awful thing to happen. I'm so glad you are all safe. What a nightmare though to lose your home for the next 6 months. You were so lucky to be allowed back in to rescue your camera kit and danbo and penguin and anything else that was precious to you. I wonder if the fire service here in the UK would have allowed that. We never think it will happen to us! Take care.
I am so sorry that you have gone through so much and your place that you live in and find comfort in is basically gone. I am glad you and your husband are ok. I cannot imagine losing so much and then trying to piece it back together again. Sounds like a very long process. I hope your insurance company works well with you throughout this process. I know it can take long and unfortunately longer than sometimes is said. Sounds like your photos/computer are safe and whatever maybe that you needed to get out is ok. If you have not taken photos of your place, maybe start listing all you had in your place for the insurance company. I have never heard of a fire not being totally out before and becoming so much worse. My heart totally breaks for you. Take care and hugs. How is your knee doing by the way?
Life has been crazy here but a different crazy. Owner of the house next door is in jail, his sister came in from where she is now living to stay with a neighbor and people that he met have taken over the house and his car. Lots of people there tonight having a get together and keeping it quiet as they know we, the neighbors are all watching and listening and during the day I am taking photos of all the activity. I had my neighbor in my house Friday and then an officer and his canine inside getting my neighbor out after I was asked to come with an officer. My neighbor seems to have been set up. Big mess in another way and long story.
@darsphotos Thank you Darlene! And oh gosh, I do hope your neighbor's situation calms down. At least this morning we've found a nice place to live for the next 6 months and should be able to move in next week, we hope. Progress.
@taffy You are very welcome, Taffy. I hope next door calms down too. Unfortunately more is happening. I do not like to live in fear. So glad you have found a nice place to live until you can move back home again. One day at a time.
@taffy You are very welcome, Taffy. I do love your photo. Have not heard of P3 before. Very cute addition to your photo and actually perfect for this photo.
this is a wonderful image Taffy - I am behind with commenting and just caught up on posting so have just read about your fire - I hope you are doing ok and did not lose too much - I gather you and Jim and Danbo and friends are ok and that is the important thing - hugs and thoughts with you
Oh no Taffy what an awful disaster for you but thank goodness you and Jim are ok, I really hope you haven't lost too much. I have just read one of your replies and how devastating for you to have lost your home and wont be back there for 6 months. My heart goes out to you.
And now for the Photo it was an instant fav as soon as I clicked on to it, love the perspective and P3 looks as though he is contemplating his future.
Wow, Taffy, this is unbelievable and everyone’s worst nightmare. I’m glad you and your husband are okay. I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this.
I'm so glad you are ok. I haven't seen any of this until now. Oh geez. I'm in such a state. Will be thinking of you both. I read that you are staying at Junko's which gives me great relief to hear. Please call if you need an "ear." I send my virtual shoulder and a big hug.
What a nightmare Taffy! Have just read about the horrific event and my heart goes out to you and Jim. Hope you managed to get some cherished belongings and files/paperwork out before the big demolition. Good that there were no fatalities or injuries but detailing what is lost for the insurers and overseeing the rebuild is a massive project, especially when you have to carry on with your life at the same time. One day at time for now is the only way.
Oh, Taffy! Arising this morning I was reading the first caption about the pig on the toy thread, and there was something about you, northy, fire, excitement...WHAT?! Hurried to your site and am going through photos to see that's happened! Bless your heart! What a trial you and Jim have been put through! Having gone through much the same (in my art room, no less!...1 AM years ago when a friend from Australia was staying with us...similarities!) I fully relate to the out-of-body experience this is! Knowing those period buildings I shudder to consider how much worse it might have been... You and Jim are ok, and you'll be looked after... Pain-in-the-butt I know, but it becomes part of the fabric of your family history now... My thoughts are with you and wishing you the best...
Oh goodness!!! only just caught up with this today!!!
I am so glad that you are all safe and sound but must be awful to have to go through all of this :( big hugs to you all x
Oh Taffy, I've just caught up with all your posts and have worked out what happened at your home. I am so sorry. You must be devastated. You must also be made of stern stuff because, even if the face of such adversity, you are still posting photographs and able to keep a positive mind about the whole affair. In situations like this, I guess you have to remember that you are all probably lucky to be alive, and that possessions can be replaced - that is except the ones of sentimental value. However, our memories live in our hearts - no-one can erase that. I hope you're coping ok with everything and that maybe, just maybe, Big Danbo will turn up somewhere. Courage my friend, courage. xx
Like Issi, I've only just caught up, too. You poor things. We had a much smaller fire incident a few years ago and that was pretty horrendous so can't begin to imagine how awful this has been.
@jocasta@jamibann Thanks to you both, Issi and Jocasta. It really has been a nightmare, with some days better than others. Photography has been sort of like a lifeline to sanity and gives me one thing that feels normal. And, our views really are quite wonderful -- a little tiny positive that we can count on every day. Thanks for your kind thoughts and words.
cool shot.. but that's probably the least of your concerns!!
Life has been crazy here but a different crazy. Owner of the house next door is in jail, his sister came in from where she is now living to stay with a neighbor and people that he met have taken over the house and his car. Lots of people there tonight having a get together and keeping it quiet as they know we, the neighbors are all watching and listening and during the day I am taking photos of all the activity. I had my neighbor in my house Friday and then an officer and his canine inside getting my neighbor out after I was asked to come with an officer. My neighbor seems to have been set up. Big mess in another way and long story.
And then I took time to read your story... Wow! Glad you guys are alright!
And now for the Photo it was an instant fav as soon as I clicked on to it, love the perspective and P3 looks as though he is contemplating his future.
I'm so glad you are ok. I haven't seen any of this until now. Oh geez. I'm in such a state. Will be thinking of you both. I read that you are staying at Junko's which gives me great relief to hear. Please call if you need an "ear." I send my virtual shoulder and a big hug.
I am so glad that you are all safe and sound but must be awful to have to go through all of this :( big hugs to you all x