Not A Good Saturday

[cheesy]

I thought my day was going bad with a bad muscle spasm in my back until I heard a loud bang and a lot of yelling. Mrs. C looked out our living room window and said the neighbors house was on fire. We were out the door in a flash to help them. Basically, a shitshow at the start with a lot of panic with the neighbors. We got all their critters out and in our house and gave Margie and her relatives coats, clothes, and shoes because, except Jim, all were still in their pjs. Jim ended up in the hospital with 2nd degree burns on his arms from trying to put the fire out before it got out of hand.

The house and three vehicles are total losses. One vehicle has some fire damage but is an old Saturn and will most likely be written off. Jims’ 85 CJ was in the garage along with Margies’ Jetta.

The house on the other side of Jims’ place had some damage to the siding and one of the pine trees went up in smoke.

We met a lot of our new neighbors today, too, and learned which ones we could depend on in an emergency and those that we couldn’t. One of the neighbors house was struck by lightning a few years back and was destroyed. He came up to me and gave me his cell number for Jim and Margie to help walk them through what they will be going through in the next 48 hours. A couple of others came to us with offers of clothing and anything else Jim and Margie might need until they can get back on their feet. It’s what neighbors are supposed to do.

I think at last count, there were five departments fighting the fire.

[roundhouse]

Man, that is horrible. Glad they got out.

[Bruce's]

Sounds like your house is turning into the local Red Cross station Cheese .Sounds like you are a very good neighbour .

[cheesy]

Latest on Jim is that he was transferred to Loyola Burn Center. He received some more serious burns than we thought, but Loyola is THE place to go for burn treatment. The hulk of Margies’ Jetta is sitting in their driveway. It was dragged out and doused to make sure nothing flared back up. There was no reason to pull out the CJ, there was nothing left.

Still nothing on the cause yet.

[Bruce's]

Wishing Jim a speedy recovery .

[Emerikol]

Cheesy, anything we can do from out here in Phoenix? I'm off work for most of next week after a couple of meetings on Monday. Most of what we have is in boxes, but we'd be happy to send out a care package with anything they need for the immediate future. Let us know how we can help!

[cheesy]

Cheesy, anything we can do from out here in Phoenix? I'm off work for most of next week after a couple of meetings on Monday. Most of what we have is in boxes, but we'd be happy to send out a care package with anything they need for the immediate future. Let us know how we can help!

Thanks, but I think we have everything covered. So far anyway. Margies' folks are local and handling a lot of the stuff. Update on Jim is that he is in good spirits but will be in the Burn Center for about two weeks. I managed to remove a good layer of his skin when I cut the gloves off his hands.

Jim and Margie own three Great Danes and Margies' sister has two mutts. We had all five in our house while waiting for things to calm down. After the dogs left, I went for a piece of cold pizza and found an empty box. One of the Danes helped themselves. I couldn't get mad because I was amazed that the box wasn't even disturbed.

[ben2go]

That's just aweful. Send my best wishes to all involved. Hoping for a fast recovery as possible for Jim. I know he'll have a long road to travel to heal.

[cheesy]

We might go see Jim tomorrow if my back will let me. My antics on Saturday were aided by Vicodin and adrenaline because of messing up my back Friday. I paid dearly for that and ended up in ER yesterday. Almost mobile today.

We have a better handle on what happened Saturday. Jim was under the CJ with an RA grinder and hit either a fuel line or the fuel tank. Jim was doused with burning gas. Margie had just come into the garage to let him know that breakfast was ready when it happened. She grabbed an extinguisher and put him out. The bang we heard was the fuel tank on the CJ. Once that happened, it was pretty much a lost cause.

[Weldangrind]

Queso, I'm so glad to hear that the fire didn't spread to your house or any other neighbours. Sad about the house and cars, but good news that the people and critters got out in time.

[cheesy]

Our place wasn’t ever in any real danger, though we were keeping a close eye on the house on the other side. Looks like the worst it got was some blistered paint on the siding.The owners of that place are the ones we decided that can’t be depended on in an emergency. Flames shooting 20 feet out of Jim’s garage doors and igniting the cars in his driveway, with us and our other neighbors rushing in to help get everyone out and safe while they screamed in their driveway begging for us to help them and their driveway is farther from the fire than my house.

I endeared myself to one of the local cops by basically telling him I’d run his ass over if he didn’t get out of my way while trying to get Jim to the ambulance that couldn’t get up our hill because the street was blocked with fire trucks and hoses. Another officer intervened and got Jim to the ambulance. A few other officials were on the receiving end of my wrath, too.

When all was said and done, the chief investigator stopped by and got our statements. I let loose on what I felt was done half assed. The thing that honestly pissed me off was that the ambulance was the first vehicle to arrive and just drove past without stopping. That’s still frosting me. The investigator was taken aback by that one, too. The fact that one of the hoses on an East Dundee truck was leaking like a soaker hose didn’t sit well with me, either. The fire fighters themselves did a fantastic job, though. One Hispanic woman was first on the roof and swinging an ax like a lumberjack to get through the shingles. She put some of the guys to shame.

[ben2go]

That's just sad to hear about emergency responders. Honestly, they aren't much better in our area either.

[Emerikol]

Thanks, but I think we have everything covered. So far anyway. Margies' folks are local and handling a lot of the stuff. Update on Jim is that he is in good spirits but will be in the Burn Center for about two weeks. I managed to remove a good layer of his skin when I cut the gloves off his hands.

Jim and Margie own three Great Danes and Margies' sister has two mutts. We had all five in our house while waiting for things to calm down. After the dogs left, I went for a piece of cold pizza and found an empty box. One of the Danes helped themselves. I couldn't get mad because I was amazed that the box wasn't even disturbed.

We have a Siberian Husky that can take fries out of the cup/sleeve/thingy from McDonalds one at a time without disturbing the rest. Truly a sight to see. Thanks for keeping us posted, and let us know if you guys need anything.

[cheesy]

Here's Jim and Margies place.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/807/39383076570_0507f0d71c_z.jpg
I spoke with Jim's Mom this morning. Jim will be in the hospital for at least two weeks.

As far as structural damage goes, the single story section just has smoke damage. The second floor, though, will probably have to come down and be totally rebuilt. The fire was so intense that the support I-Beam warped. There basically no ceiling in the garage or floors in the upstairs bed rooms. There's also a mighty large hole in the roof.

Because of my back, we probably won't go see Jim until next Saturday. I'm up to it but Mrs. C doesn't want me to push it.

Margies' Dad told them both about the pizza thief and Jim actually laughed. Jim has been beating himself up over what happened and I know from personal experience that all the reassurance from friends and family helps, but it's not enough. He will be needing some professional help.

[ben2go]

I know it doesn't look that bad but I know it is inside. I have helped rebuild several houses after fires. It's almost easier to build new than sort through and rebuild. All my best to them.

[Azhule]

Ozone (3 parts oxygen) infused into Extra Virgin Olive Oil can heal skin and burn damage... wonder if the burn ward he is at knows about "Glycozone" (Olive Oil infused with Ozone)... it's only been around since WW I after all

Hoping for a speedy recovery to a tragic event

[cheesy]

Bandages came off his face today according to his father in law and it looks like he's a candidate for a skin graft or two on his arms. Other than that, I guess he's doing pretty good. Margie's employer has given her time off until Jim gets back on his feet.

[ben2go]

Bandages came off his face today according to his father in law and it looks like he's a candidate for a skin graft or two on his arms. Other than that, I guess he's doing pretty good. Margie's employer has given her time off until Jim gets back on his feet.
Sounds like things may be looking up a little. I hope everything works out fine after the bandages are removed. Hopefully, he has no bad peeling. Good to hear her company is looking after her during this hard time.

[Emerikol]

Sounds like things may be looking up a little. I hope everything works out fine after the bandages are removed. Hopefully, he has no bad peeling. Good to hear her company is looking after her during this hard time.

I second this. A good company nowadays, that takes care of its people, is as good as gold in my book.

[cheesy]

Margie stopped by today to give us an update on Jim. And to thank us for being her neighbors. He did have skin grafts on his upper arms and is in new pain now from the new surgery. Margie said he should be up for visitors in another day or so. We plan on seeing him on Sunday.

The restoration company has just about finished their estimate on the house. The single floor section will just need a good cleaning and rehabbing. The garage and second floor section of the house, though, suffered a lot of structural damage and will need to be torn down and rebuilt. Right now, it looks to be late November before they can move back in.

[cheesy]

Went to Loyola to visit Jim today. He's doing really well and looks like he will be discharged on Tuesday if he continues to improve. Still has a long road of rehab ahead of him, but he is young.
He is in pretty good humor, all things considered. Challenged me to a scar contest but I conceded at the start. He did concede the 'most cars in the driveway' to me, though, as all of his are burned out hulks.

Did get the 'Official Cause' of the fire this week. Jim did have the fuel tank off the CJ and fumes were ignited by either an infrared heater or a halogen work light. Possibly, when Margie opened the door to the garage from the house, the draft spread the fumes and the fun started. She said she got the flames out on Jim pretty quick but the flames shooting out of the filler neck of the fuel tank started a wall on fire and then ignited a plastic kayak hanging from the ceiling. It all went down hill from there.

[ben2go]

It's good to hear things are getting better for them.

It only takes a slight error, or things to come together just right to end in disaster. It could have been much worse. I'm happy for Jim, and his family, that it wasn't, and no lives were lost.

[Emerikol]

Thanks for keeping us posted, Cheesy.

[cheesy]

A bit of an update on this.
Jim’s mom took me inside to see the damage today. The CJ is still in the garage. It’s obvious how extreme the fire was. The CJ sags in the middle, as does the main support beam. We didn’t go to the second floor because there’s pretty good chance we’d end back in the garage really quick. And it would hurt.

Jim and Margie’s folks are talking lawsuit against the village, mostly with the lack of ambulance/paramedic response. I was in the thick of it, so I guess I may be a part of it. Jim’s mom just let me know for a heads up, nothing may come of it, either.

[bogieboy]

Cheesy, hows Jim doing? Praying the pain subsides soon.... homes and cars can be fixed and replaced.... souls not so much... glad he made it out alive!

[cheesy]

Cheesy, hows Jim doing? Praying the pain subsides soon.... homes and cars can be fixed and replaced.... souls not so much... glad he made it out alive!

Thanks, Bogie.

Jim is doing really well and his recovery is just short of amazing. Margie says you could almost see the burns healing. Being under thirty helps, I guess.

Jim’s mom said that he did well with a walk through of the house after he was released from the hospital although they didn’t go into the garage. He blames himself for what happened and didn’t want to see the CJ.

[bogieboy]

Thanks, Bogie.

Jim is doing really well and his recovery is just short of amazing. Margie says you could almost see the burns healing. Being under thirty helps, I guess.

Jim’s mom said that he did well with a walk through of the house after he was released from the hospital although they didn’t go into the garage. He blames himself for what happened and didn’t want to see the CJ.
thats awesome! i can totally understand how he feels about it all.... just goes to show how careful you need to be when you are doing anything involving fuel systems...

[cheesy]

Jim stopped by today with his future brother in law. He is doing really well and looks good, too. He had a nasty burn on his neck where his beard ended when I last saw him. That now just look like a bit of sunburn. He is wearing sleeves, his left hand is still wrapped, and he can't be in direct sunlight for at least year but, as he says, it could have been much worse.

Jim also told me that his burn doc said I done good by cutting his gloves off before he got to the burn unit. Jim wanted them off and that's what I did.

[ben2go]

Always like to hear good news. Wishing him all the best and a speedy recovery.

[BlackBike]

Wow, surprising thats all that burned up. Looks like they knocked it out pretty quick. I hate garage fires, just a bunch of high volatile fuels ,paint and crap stacked to the ceiling just waiting to boogie. Usually can't save much when its the origin. Sounds like The wife probably saved her husband's life by having and knowing about the fire ext.

[Weldangrind]

I'm about to move to a new place, and this thread has inspired me to contain all of the spray bombs and chemicals in a steel cabinet. I scored a 6' gym locker that will be perfect.

[ben2go]

Fire-resistant cabinets are sealed airtight. I've been looking for one to store my chemicals in.

[Emerikol]

Fire-resistant cabinets are sealed airtight. I've been looking for one to store my chemicals in.

They get pretty expensive pretty fast... I have a friend who just modified an old chest freezer that didn't work anymore. He took out all the plastic bits and build some shelves to put in it. Worked out pretty well, and so far he hasn't had anything go wrong other than a single can of spray paint leak all over the inside.

https://www.grainger.com/product/CONDOR-45-gal-Flammable-Cabinet-42X501?internalSearchTerm=45+gal.+Flammable+Cabine t%2C+65%22+x+43%22+x+18%22%2C+Manual+Door+Type&suggestConfigId=8&searchBar=true&suggestConfigId=8&searchBar=true

[ben2go]

They get pretty expensive pretty fast... I have a friend who just modified an old chest freezer that didn't work anymore. He took out all the plastic bits and build some shelves to put in it. Worked out pretty well, and so far he hasn't had anything go wrong other than a single can of spray paint leak all over the inside.

https://www.grainger.com/product/CONDOR-45-gal-Flammable-Cabinet-42X501?internalSearchTerm=45+gal.+Flammable+Cabine t%2C+65%22+x+43%22+x+18%22%2C+Manual+Door+Type&suggestConfigId=8&searchBar=true&suggestConfigId=8&searchBar=true
Yep. I've been hoping to find a good one used.

[cheesy]

Jims' CJ went bye bye today.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/43908290472_7ea9151d2a_z.jpg


Jim and his father in law took the front sheet metal off of the CJ and Jim is planning on making a desk of some sort from it for his new Man Cave. The house is all gutted and the demolition should start in another week or so.

[Bruces]

As a Jeep guy ,that is a sad picture .That front tire looks like a super swamper bigger ,which tells me the Jeep was probably pretty nice .How is he doing anyway ?

[cheesy]

Jim's doing really well. Actually saw him today.

The guy picking up Jims' CJ came up to my door asking me to move my wifes' car so he could get to my Jeep. Which got a "Wait, What" from me. Jim was standing at his driveway and yelled "Not that Jeep, this Jeep." After we got that straightened out and the CJ loaded on the flat bed, the guy asked Jim for the title. Jim pointed to the glove box, which holds nothing but ashes anymore.

The wheels and tires where brand spanking new. There was talk of mounting a Clifford header and intake on the 4.2 along with a Holley 450cfm 4V. That ain't gonna happen.

[kirbo7106]

We have a Siberian Husky that can take fries out of the cup/sleeve/thingy from McDonalds one at a time without disturbing the rest. Truly a sight to see. Thanks for keeping us posted, and let us know if you guys need anything.

Could you post a video of your dog eating fries? That just sounds too funny not to see! :D

[Emerikol]

Unfortunately not anymore. We had to put him down shortly after we moved to Phoenix. He was getting old and the move was hard on him. He came down with something called Cushings Disease. Basically the lights were starting to go off upstairs, and he was starting to get aggressive around the little one. :cry: We still have the Lab, and it's an easier life around the house without having to juggle a 1 year old and two big dogs, but we miss the Husky something fierce. The missus has already declared that we won't be getting any more dogs for a long time...

[cheesy]

Things are finally wrapping up next door. Jim and Margie may be able to move back into their house within the next couple of weeks.
Mrs. C has been kicking herself trying to come up with some sort of gift for them. She asked if I had a pic of Jims' Jeep that she could do something with. All I had was this from July 2015.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/422/19333180626_c2b5b1c001_z.jpg
Ideas are spinning in her head.

[Bruces]

Good to hear things are coming around for them . The

[cheesy]

They are moving back in today.:tup:

[ben2go]

Good to hear. I know they'll be happy to be back home.

[cheesy]

Was joking with Jim and his folks yesterday; as all the houses on the street were built in the sixties, Jim’s house was the only one up to code.

[Sport Rider]

that had to be a long battle. they must be thrilled/relieved to be back home. Except for a certain neighbor, of course. :D

[cheesy]

Just a little bit of an update. We had Jim and Margie over the old house Sunday. We got them a couple of things for plowing the driveway when I can’t get there and generally keeping an eye on the place for us. With just a slight lull in the conversation, Margie announced that she was pregnant and due in August. Their first.
We were pretty chuffed to hear it. Mrs. C is already planning another baby blanket. My nephews’ wife is due about the same time.

[Bruces]

Just a little bit of an update. We had Jim and Margie over the old house Sunday. We got them a couple of things for plowing the driveway when I can’t get there and generally keeping an eye on the place for us. With just a slight lull in the conversation, Margie announced that she was pregnant and due in August. Their first.
We were pretty chuffed to hear it. Mrs. C is already planning another baby blanket. My nephews’ wife is due about the same time.

That’s completely amazing Cheesy ,imagine the simplicity of picking a wife for your nephew before she is even :lmao:born ,didn’t even have to buy her drinks or feed her first !:lmao::p

[cheesy]

Well, crap. Proofreading and sentence construction is even becoming a lost art for me.

(I must have slept through that lesson, Mrs. Kuska. No, not the knuckles again. Please. Arrrgh!)

[Oddball Matt]

Just binged through the whole thing. A really sad and unfortunate thing to have happen but glad everything is seemingly turning out for the best! Also a lesson why combustible chemicals and tools flying sparks are best kept in separate spaces or at least be very aware where your rooster tail is directed at all times and cover everything that need not ignite with stuff that cannot ignite.