a fire

It's hard for me to sleep tonight. I've just had the biggest
scare of my life. Our house nearly got burned. And my elbow and back
aches because I slipped from the stairs, carrying the storage box
containing all my important documents.
At past 9pm, while having dinner, we heard shouts outside. We
thought that some neighbors were quarreling. My cousin-in-law heard
"po-or" which is the Ilocano word for fire, but didn't understand. My
cousin's friend, Jinjin, saw the fire, at the back of our compound, from
across the street and came over to warn us.
What neighbors saw from across the street was the trees of
avocado and santol on fire. These trees are as tall as our three-story
house, about 15 or so meters away but with branches almost touching our
roof.
The roof, the roof is on fire...that's a song and a break :)
Anyway, my cousin Jonie immediately drove the taxis and cars out
of our compound.
Our barangay chairman, Mang Clay, who lives at the back of the
compound said that he only left for a while, while he was cooking his
rice. I didn't know that he doesn't use a rice cooker or at least, a gas
stove but he uses wood :( - at this age. We don't know what happened but
apparently, the fire from his cooking caught some of his junks (there's a
hill of a junk there but he doesn't listen when we tell him to get rid of
them) and then the trees.
When I saw that it was still only half of the branches from the
other side that was on fire, I ran upstairs to call the trunklines of
Malacanang and PMS. Sad to say, no one answered on both lines. I must
have looked a sight because while I was waiting for someone to answer my
calls, I was also shouting "fire" from our terrace so that more neighbors
will be alerted.
My mother was also shouting my name and my sister's, for us to
come downstairs and just leave everything else :)
Of course, I ran to my room to get the all-important storage
box. From third to second floor, I slipped on the last three steps of the
stairs which my aunt was so proud to say that she scrub everyday :(
My back really hurts. I don't think anything is broken but I
will still have an x-ray tomorrow.
God blessed us by saving our house and giving us with the
neighbors we have - very alert and helpful. The neighbors from across the
street, Batas St., brought pails of water. It was touching how they lined
up and passed pails of water, one after another. They were there before
our village firemen (Bacood Fire Station) came.
I'm also thankful that Em is always there to turn to. I called
her up to back me up in calling firemen. For the rushed speech for this
Monday morning, I also had to ask her to take charge as I was in the
police station with other complainants.
God is always good. He made us live in a place that is not
crowded. If we were in a squatter's area, all must have been ashes by
now. He gave us wonderful neighbors, who made sure that the fire is
contained even before the firemen came. He made me what I am - quite
obsessive compulsive :) I've been sorting my things in boxes for a year
now and it was easy for me to pick up the most important storage box and
my bag.
Now, I'll make sure that I also have a bag with at least two
sets of clothes.
I really forgot that. I forgot all about change of clothes, my
Meteor Garden and F4 collections, my Harry Potter books, CDs, German and
Chinese coursebooks and whatever interest I have at the moment.
Everything goes back to the basic.
Again, I am very thankful to God and all he has blessed me with
:)

sayong
01-31-05 3:45am