My house doesn't smell good right now, kinda chemical-y.

But it smells better than the house next door. Because that one is on fire.

I vaguely noticed the sound of sirens, and looked out my office window. My yard was filled with what looked like billowing fog, and then I realized it was smoke. I jumped up and ran out the front door. A couple of guys hurrying down the street yelled, "Is that your house?" and I yelled back," I hope not!" It turned out the smoke was coming from the attic of the house next door.

The firemen were getting out of the truck as I went running over. All I know about the people next door is that they have kids and an old dog, but the firemen said they'd take care of it and I needed to stay away. The neighbors said they weren't home. I sure hope that's true. They're lucky somebody saw the smoke and called the fire department. Maybe I'm lucky too.

But I hate to think how the folks next door are going feel when they do get home.