Fire can kiss my ***

[JenzZx2]

So my Dad called yesterday to tell me that his house caught on fire, about half of it burned, the other half is badly smoke damaged. Him and my step-mom are okay, thank goodness. However their cats were in the hospital in critical condition last night. This morning they were both doing better but Punkin' the older cat was still having really labored breathing. He had a seizure this afternoon and passed away. Balls (the younger cat) is doing better, they expect him to make it, but he's still not quite right.

My Dad and step-mom are currently in a hotel, with their fish in a bowl. The insurance company is going to try and find them a rental house about the same size while they work on getting their house rebuilt, so hopefully they can still have somewhat of a normal life and not to upside down. Of course they don't have much of anything left.

They have received an amazing amount of support from friends, family, co-workers, even strangers. But it still sucks. So many things that can't be replaced. My step-mom's mother was an artist and she had her paintings all over her house, those will never be able to be replaced.

My Dad is such a hard worker, and a very generous person. He always takes care of people and never asks for anything in return. My step-mom is the sweetest lady you will ever meet. She is also very generous. When Cossie bloated in November, she didn't bat an eyelash at loaning us the $4500 for his surgery until we closed on our house. She goes every year to Mexico with her church to build houses for the people in need there. It just breaks my heart to see bad things happen to them. I feel bad also since I can't be there to help with anything, I hate being so far away from home especially during times like this.

So yeah... fire.. it can kiss my ass.

[blue_2001]

that sucks, hope everything works out for them

[EmoRebellion]

Wow, im sorry to hear that Jen.. Did they figure out how it started? Glad to hear everyone made it out alive. My condolences for Punkin..

[Ali]

Really sorry to hear about that Jen, our prayers are with your folks that all the good they've done for others will find it's way back to them.

[powder]

Really, really sorry to hear this when you told me yesterday. I wish them the best.

[SoCalZX2]

Aww, Jen I'm so sorry to hear this! I hope all goes well and they get things taken care of quickly.

[J-Dizzle!]

Wow Jen I'm really sorry to hear about your family. I can't imagine my parents house burning like that. What caused the fire? Will insurance cover the damage?

[slammmed]

that sucks! at least your parents are okay though. It's sad to hear about the punkin.

Send them my best wishes.

[random_hero]

Best of luck to your parents Jen, I cannot imagine what that mus be like. My prayers go out to them & punkin.

[Buster]

That's horrible. :(

I hope everything works out in the long run for them.

Know the cause? Did the cats do it? I'm being serious, I've heard of them starting fires on many occasions from knocking over candles, chewing/peeing on wires and outlets, etc.

[JenzZx2]

Thanks guys, and girls.

It ended up being a clogged dryer vent that started it. I guess my step-mom was in the house at the time. She started some laundry and was in the back bathroom, by the time the smoke got to her it was already pretty bad. She tried to grab the cats but they went under the bed and she couldn't reach them. It was so smokey she had to get out. The fire department was there like 5 minutes later, but it doesn't take long. They got the cats out and they were unconscious but brought them back with oxygen then they took them to the vet. The stupid vet bill is at $6000 already and they are one cat less. I can't believe what the emergency clinics charge around there.

The important thing is that my dad and step mom are okay, as far as the rest of their things.. they wont know yet for a while and they go through everything and see what they can salvage.

[crazy34]

i am sorry to hear that. Know how it all goes though....2 weekends ago, i was racing and rolled my car, came home, then bout 20 min later the fire department was in front of our neibors house. they lost everything and the house was completly distroyed. they had 3 sons as well that lived there. So like you say, fire can kiss my A***. If there is anything anyone of us can do to help though, dont hesitate

[AZN_ZX2]

I am glad they are alright. I'm sorry about the loss of a cat as well as everything else. Look into getting money from the dryer company or something. If it is a design flaw then maybe that can help cover some of the damage.

Best of luck with the situation.

[Mike]

Jen...i'm very very sorry to hear about this. This is just horrible. I'm sorry to hear about the loss of the cat as well. Pets are like family. :(


I hope the insurance covers everything if not...just about everything.


Are you going to Cali to visit them..or other family?

[Jesusfrk611]

Look into getting money from the dryer company or something. If it is a design flaw then maybe that can help cover some of the damage.

I doubt it was the fault of the dryer company, you need to periodically clean those vents or they do get clogged no matter what type of dryer it is.

But that does suck to have your house burn down I'm sure. Never had it happen, or have any friends have it happen, but I can only imagine.

[Midwestzx2]

I can really relate here. MY parents built a brand new house back when i was 3-5. 6 months after it was finished a dog chewed a electrical cord in the house, wich caused a fire, the entire house burnt down, lost everything we had, only had the clothes on our backs, baby albums etc where all gone. I hope they pull through it and can go on with there life as normal.

[JenzZx2]

Looks like things are going to be okay. The insurance people have been there for a few days and they have been going through things. They are going to try and restore the sentimental stuff that was smoke damaged but not fire damaged. They are listing the things to replace.

Unfortunately they wont cover my Dad's stuff because they aren't legally married (been together for 20 years and are engaged.. so I call her my step-mom, even if she's not legally, haha) and he wasn't added to the policy. But really, besides his clothes... how are they gonna tell who's stuff is who's?

They are in a hotel for another couple of weeks, then they should be in a furnished rental house provided by the insurance company and the ins. will pay while their house gets fixed.

Things are looking up, but it's not an easy thing to go through.

Mid.. so sorry to hear of your loss. I just can't imagine and don't want to!

[AZN_ZX2]

I'm glad things are getting a little better!