Why you should always have a working fire extinguisher
Tuesday, February 19, 2013So yesterday pretty much Kicked our butts, we really feel like the devil is trying to kick us down right now. So we could probably use some prayer. However on that note I oddly feel very at peace with everything and also very blessed which will probably seem very weird as I tell you my story.
We have 2 wonderful guests staying with us in our guest house right now Bruce and Jason, they are here installing some new technology in the Caravan. They came home yesterday from work, Jason and I were chatting while he checked his email, as I was feeding Ruth the power went out after being on all day and I made some snide remark like 'oh the powers been on all day and NOW your turn it off' I then see John running toward the front door and he opens the porch door and says 'Jocelyn il ya un problem!' So then I run back towards the back of the house with Jason's yelling after me if I need help.
I say yes and we go outside Bruce was already back there and so was John. I can still see it in my mind all 4 of us were standing there staring at our electrical box billowing and I mean billowing in flames through the big metal door that holds it all in. I literally have no idea what to do and I said that 'I have no idea what to do...' Now John our guard and continuing hero of this story grabs a big wooden stick and undid the latch and opens the door and we see that from top to bottom everything is on fire...
the Electrical panel before we moved, after they redid it and after the fire |
Bruce then asked a very good question
'do you have a fire extinguisher?!'
'No...' I replied
Someone mentions water, which is quickly vetoed because we think the power is still coming in.
So we all stand there for what seemed like an eternity but couldn't have been longer then a couple seconds before our Hero John runs to the garden and starts grabbing dirt and throwing it at the flaming box, to which Bruce exclaims 'Thats a good idea!' So Bruce Jason and John start running back and forth getting dirt and throwing it at the box to snuff the fire. (All 3 of these guys are fantastic btw, once they saw what needed to be done they went to it) I went out to the front of the house to see if I can find some help, I saw Roz looking out over their balcony and asked if she had a extinguisher to which she says no and suggests baking soda.
I then still have no idea what else to do so I called my cool under all situations husband (who I found out later was having a crappy day of his own) and explain to him the situation to which he reminds me to see if we can turn off the knife switch. So I then get Jason to grab a stick and I explained to him where it is and where to move it so the power will be turned off.
Once he does that we are able to get enough dirt in the still flaming fuses and get it all out.
I then remember my poor daughter still sitting in her high chair and go and fetch her. She was totally fine sitting there still whining about eating her peas.
Jason being awesome and hanging out with Rue |
where the 'fire' shot out of the ground in front of our neighbours house |
I got Rue to bed and the boys starting taking a look at the damage to which they were able to find out that we still had one phase coming in and were able to hook that up to a plug and extension cords and get our fridges and freezers plugged in.
the melted fuses |
Ron, Matthew and Bruce taking a look |
Also if any of our electrician friends would like to come for a mission trip to Congo... We would love to have you :-)
Rues awesome new talent! |
3 comments
Thank the Lord for his protection. That reminds me. I think I have some empty fire extinguishers that need to be refilled. And that move that Rue is doing? I believe it's called a "plank." She's a strong one. :) Praying for you today. Jenn W. at HQ
ReplyDeleteYay Jesus! So thankful this happened when someone was HOME! Also love Rue's new talent...!! XOXO
ReplyDeletesuperb post. we must have a working fire extinguisher at home all the time for Fire-stopping purpose because no one knows the time of emergency
ReplyDelete