Apartment Fire May 21/10

Here is my story on what I experienced as the result of an apartment fire. No doubt a life can change in a matter of seconds or minutes. My purpose for this blog is to help others that may have experienced the same thing or as a guide for those that may experience something similar in the future. I'm sure almost everyone knows of someone that has been through a fire disaster. Some may even say it will never happen to me and hopefully it doesn't.

The week of May 21st was a busy week for me at the store due to it being the start of the lawn/gardening season.
May 20th my day off and nothing really out of the ordinary to start my day besides maybe sleeping in a bit. I had nothing planned for that day so I could do what I pleased. I did color my hair that day at home. It was a gorgeous day and summer-like temps had been around for a couple of days. So for supper Ruby (my daughter) & myself walked to Warky's. After supper I went to a Church  business meeting which took a couple of hours. That same evening I picked up some movies from Video Stop (thursday nights are cheaper). I believe I also picked up 2 books from the library during the day. I'm thinking due to the nice temperatures and summer holidays I got the books from the library to maybe plan my holidays.
Little did I know that my holidays this summer would be different.
Before going to bed that night, which is never bfore midnight  I posted a status from shuttle status which was posted at 12:11 a.m. May 21st. (I checked my FB status for that day). At the time I didn't know that the smoke was forming  already underneath my balcony. Due to the nice temperatures that week I had been opening my bedroom window for the night. As I opened the window I thought I smelt smoke, but didn't really look to see where it was coming from so just ignored it. Shortly after getting into bed the smoke smell was getting stronger plus I heard a crackling sound & saw a glow shining into my room. Something didn't feel right so I got up. I went to the window again thinking who is burning so late at night. Thats when I saw the black smoke bellowing from the patio below me. I knew then that it meant getting out. I ran into Ruby's room and woke her up  saying "I think we had  better get out." I proceeded to call 911 with my home phone to report the fire at approximately 12:30 a.m.  After the call I grabbed my purse, cell phone, keys and slipped my house coat on & sandals. Ruby put a light sweater on as well, took her new purse and slipped on her flip flops. As we left our apartment suite Ruby pulled the fire alarm and we headed out the north entrance. The fire was starting to flare up towards the second floor which was our suite. The police were at the scene in minutes and asked for someone's keys so they could get into the apartment to get the other tenants out.   Shortly after that the fire trucks were there. At that moment we were on the sidewalk across the street already just watching as the fire blazed up the apartment. As the fire spread we could hear things popping, snapping & crackling cause it was an older building. We just stand there in disbelief thinking this isn't happening, but it is. I think my emotions were numb cause I couldn't even cry even though Ruby did a bit. (Earlier that evening Ruby had asked if she could go to a friends house for the night, but I said no, she could go another time. I'm glad I hadn't let her go).
I'm not sure how long we stood there to watch, but eventually I walked to the south side of the building with another tenant as she was looking for her mother. The tenants parking lot was on the south side of the building. The policemen were there as well and asked if anyone could move their vehicles to do so. I did have my keys so I moved my car to the other side of the street. As I was moving my car Calla. N  called me on my cell  asking if we were alright and that we could come stand at their corner which was just 1 block from the apartment. We accepted the invite. As I'm walking the one block east the smoke was intense already along the street  and I had to cover my mouth so I wouldn't inhale all the smoke.
People were gathered all along the sidewalk already from the apartment to the next block or 2. As I get to Neufeld's yard I get several hugs knowing we're safe. Others had gathered at their corner yard as well. After awhile I walked back to the apartment a different way to get my car and parked it closer to Neufeld's yard.
We stood outside a bit longer until I started getting cold. Neufeld's opened their house for us that night. Once inside we talked for quite awhile probably till almost 3 or 4 a.m. I also called my daughter (Melody) during the night when I knew she'd be up with her newborn daughter. Melody was the first family member to know.  I had many things going through my mind knowing almost full well that I may have lost everything in the fire. Sleep didn't come easily that morning and when it did it wasn't a restful sleep, which was maybe 2 hours worth.  Morning is almost dawning & a new challenge/journey is upon me. Surprisingly enough I didn't panic or get too anxious. I knew people would be praying & helping. My faith was in the Lord that we would get through this one day at a time.