Well, here's the update promised about the fire.

They finally declared the fire "out" around 5:30PM which means they were fighting it for over five hours.


At approximately noon, I heard someone yell "FIRE!" in the hallway. Thinking WTF to myself, I stepped out to see what was going on and heard a smoke detector going off upstairs. One of the landscaping guys was going around to all the doors, banging on them and yelling fire. I went back into my apartment, grabbed my fire extinguisher and handed to the guy on the hopes it was just a kitchen fire that could easily be put out.

Not wanting to take risks and knowing that a fire can't spread from the 3rd to the 1st floor in 5 minutes, I went to the bathroom, got dressed then grabbed the essentials off my desk. (Check book, deposit slips, cash, ID, keys, etc., and of course my cell phone.) I then shut down all my computer equipment and other electronics in the room, killed power to the apartment at the breakers and then headed outside.

In the time it took me to get out of there, the hallway went from empty to black... Odd thing was, only one end was black with smoke, the end where my apartment was. The other end of the hall (10' away) was clear of smoke. I walked out of the building just as firefighters were making their way in and held my breath as I crossed the parking lot. When I looked back over my shoulder, I saw thick, black, rolling smoke bellowing up from the roof. At that time, two ladder trucks had arrived and were getting their hoses set up.

At this point, having not seen any flames and knowing how plastics can give off an extremely heavy smoke cloud without much fire, I held some hope that it would be quickly put out so I sat down on a rock and tried to get comfortable. At this point, the blaze may have been going for maybe 10 minutes.

Various gawkers came by from around the complex to watch the spectacle and I saw a few freelance photo/video folk running around taking early pictures. I chatted with a few folk to kill the time, but mostly just watched things.

After about five minutes or so of this, the ladder truck I was by cut loose with its hose on the roof, drenching me in the process thanks to the wind before they got the hose dialed in. I decided at that point that because of the direction of the wind, occasional smoke and water, that I'd move. Fortunately I keep a couple of folding chairs in my car, which was parked literally a foot from on of the stabilizer pads for a ladder truck. The firefighters gave me a look when I opened my trunk, but ignored me after I pulled out a chair and walked away from the truck and took a seat under a tree where I'd have some shade.

That's when I saw flames. They were coming out of the roof by the back end of the building. About this time various journalists had started floating around. First was someone from the KC Star who talked to me about what happened, got the story as I knew it, how it would effect me and such then wandered off. I chatted with her off and on for the next hour or so as she ran around getting her story.

Next was Channel 4 who came by and interviewed me. The interview was fairly brief before they wandered off for a better voice. Channel 5 came by and we talked for quite a while. From talking to various folks, they ran my interview on the air and showed me watching the fire. I'll have to get a copy of that to add to my "15 minutes of fame" collection. Ummm... Scratch that... I'll use it to start a new 15 minutes of fame collection. *sighs*

After 5 was done with me, 9 came by and got a few on-scree comments and then it was Fox 41's turn. I don't know why they all decided I'd be good to interview. Maybe it was the hat. The hat's cool. =^_^=

After about two hours, I finally decided to call the front office and see what they needed from me. They told me I needed to come down to the office to fill out paperwork with the Red Cross and see about a new apartment. I explained that with my knees it might be a while before I got there. They were cool and sent their golfcart out to pick me up. Since they coudln't drive it past the hoses, I met them about 1/2 way to the front office.

Now keep in mind that other than on simulated disaster drills, I'd never dealt with the Red Cross before. I've always worked with the Salvation Army (who was conspicuously absent for some reason). The folks at the red cross were polite and friendly. They explained everything. Took down my basic information and then explained that they'd need a little time to process the information. About fifteen minutes later, I had my disaster packet and a cash card to help cover expenses.

About this time, the apartment people passed out some $25 gift cards for an "Irish Pub" next door. (I put the Irish Pub in quotes because it's about as Irish as I am Korean!) The staff of the complex also ordered a TON of subs from Subway and laid them out for the residents to eat. Keep in mind that the Irish place DONATED the cards. Subway not only didn't donate anything, but wouldn't give them a discount on the order, which reminded me why I refused to deal with them after the new owner took over. The guy was a jerk and apparently still is!

Little while later Chuck showed up. Since I'm picky about what I like on my food, I'd only had 1/4 of a sub and some water and was still hungry. No food for j00 today, fat boy! Chuck and I went over to the pub and split some conqueso dip. He ordered a Guiness while I had a soda and a burger. The Guiness was old and they didn't know how to pour, let it settle and then pour again. They just fill the glass and suggested he dance to the music while it settled. Ugh.

After that, I met up with John, one of my customers, who brought my some cash he owed me. At that time the fire trucks were starting to leave and my car was unblocked. I asked if I could move my car and on of the firemen went to check. About that time I noticed the Salvation Army truck and went to harass them about being tardy. Chatted with the crew for a bit and hit them up for some cold water. Was tempted to take them up on a burger, but was actually full (if not feeling a little queasy after the pub) and decided not to risk it. About then the firefighter came back and said I was cleared to move my car so I said my goodbyes and left.


So there you have it. I have no clue what or how much of my stuff will be salvageable. Right now, I'm just happy to be alive.

Thank you to EVERYONE who's sent well wishes and to those friends who have done MUCH more! A person couldn't ask for better friends. Well---maybe they could, but that wouldn't be right. =^_-=

Cheers