This morning my Google Alerts brought me to an article about a house fire in Glacier View Meadows.  The tenants were at work when the midday fire on Monday totally destroyed their home.

Eight pets were killed in the fire, 5 dogs and 3 cats.

This is very devastating news.  I can't imagine the heartbreak of losing my pets in such a terrible way.

I saw the smoke from my kitchen window on Monday and assumed they were burning the slash pile. 

It seemed odd that it would be burned on a breezy day, but I didn't give it a second thought. From my view it looked like that was the correct location.

Assuming it was the slash pile; I grabbed my camera to take a few pictures and merrily continued my day. 

I didn't think for a second that I should report the smoke or investigate further.

 

smoke from house fire in Glacier View MeadowsThe guilt I felt reading the news report this morning was overwhelming.  What if I could have done something to save the pets in the house?

According to the Coloradoan reporter, the fire was reported at 11:15 a.m. and when firefighters arrived 3 minutes later the structure was already half gone.

According to my camera, the photo I took when I first noticed the smoke was at 1:54 p.m., long after the fire started.

Although I feel a little better knowing I could not have helped save the lives of the pets, I still feel terrible for reacting the way I did and I am deeply saddened by the loss.

I learned a very important lesson this morning. I need to be proactive in helping our neighbors and protecting our neighborhood.  I should have made the phone call, if it was the slash pile the fire department would have known.   

I will never assume again that I know the source or the reason for smoke in the sky.

 

To report a fire in Glacier View Meadows dial  911!

************************************************************************************

Mary Douglas, your Mountain Broker-Associate and REALTOR®

United Country  Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, CO

www.redfeatherlakes.com ---800-531-2195

"A Day in the Mountains will always soothe your city soul"

The information contained in Mary's blog is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed, and the opinions and    views expressed in these articles are solely those of the author.

_________________________________________

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Website: www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net

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23 Comments on Smoke in the Sky in Glacier View Meadows

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

FEB
03
2010
541,741 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Mary...I'm so sorry for what you felt after the loss of these pets...i'd probably feel similarly to you after this horrific tragedy...Cherise
2:51pm • #4
655,774 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

This is so heartbreaking!  I wrote about a fire near me a couple of weeks ago.  There was a dog in the basement who they found alive after the fire was mostly put out and they were thrilled that he seemed unhurt.  Sadly though, he died a few days later......too much damage from all the smoke.
4:33pm • #5
909,302 Points 94 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mary, although it is heartbreaking news, you should hold no guilt. I know it's commonplace for folks out in your area to burn slash piles and this appeared, from your window, to be just that.

But if you've had an epiphany as a result of this, then kudos to you for insuring that should something like this ever happen again, you'll rush to the phone to seek help.

 
5:00pm • #6
471,955 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Thanks Cherise, It's not often things like this happen here,  I feel so sorry for the pet owners, and  I don't  even know them as they  moved into the house in December and were renting it.  Thank you for coming by today, I appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

Hi Ann, I remember you writing about that fire and I'm so sorry to hear their pet died too.  It's just heartbreaking.  Thanks for stopping by Ann, maybe I will invent a special dog/cat door that opens when the smoke alarms go off so the animals can get out.

 

Hi Craig, I will rush to the phone next time, I hope my neighbors will too!  I think that's the best policy for our own safety and maybe those of our pets.  Thanks Craig, I don't feel guilty anymore, just saddened by the "epiphany". I'm glad you came by :-)
5:39pm • #7
475,036 Points 9 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Mary-You are a good person with a big heart so I know you feel guilty but YOU should indeed take the suggestions from all your friends and don't beat yourself up. Tammy's idea was great. The loss of a home is bad enough but then losing the pets has to be very sad. My prayers are with them. Enjoy your evening. <SMILE>
7:49pm • #8
471,955 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Sharon, Thank you for your thoughts on it, I agree with you, they lost everything and to lose their pets on top of that must be overwhelming.  I hope it's a wake up call for all of us who live here, it can happen in an instant.  I won't beat myself up - but know what I will do next time!  I sure do have a lot of great friends! I'm glad you are one of them:-) I hope you have a great evening too!
8:48pm • #9
177,947 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Mary, thank you for sharing your story with us, I'm sure it was hard.  We need to always look for that silver lining, so it is my hope that you have encouraged all of us to ask more questions and report anything that seems a little out of the ordinary.  Best wishes from Clifton Park NY.  Lewis
9:35pm • #10
771,756 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You know that if that had been in your direct neighborhood you would have been on the phone right away.  You have to know that someone in their neighborhood would have seen this way before you, especially with smoke that high.  So, don't give it a second thought.
10:22pm • #11
366,177 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mary, I think we have all learned something important from your post. Hopefully that will lessen the burden your heart feels right now.
10:54pm • #12
341,253 Points 17 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Mary - thank you for teaching a lesson to all of us.  How sad.  And forgive my Canadianism but what is a slash pile?
11:00pm • #13
471,955 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Lew, Thank you for the silver lining, and you are absolutely right! I learned to make the call, ask the question and get involved, rather than just assume anything.  Thanks for coming by Lew, there always is something good to consider.

 

Hi Jane, I hope if it was closer, I would notice sooner! Many homes are vacant as they are only weekend or vacation homes so there might not have been anyone nearby to report it sooner - unfortunately it all feels like my neighborhood - all 1200 acres of it! LOL  Thank you Jane, I appreciate you coming by.

 

Hi Ruth, I'm so glad to hear that. We're all in this together.  I appreciate your comments, thank you Ruth!!

 

Hi Jenny, The slash pile is mainly pruned limbs, or dead limbs that have fallen from the trees, leaves, pine needles, dead sage brush etc...  When people clean up their lots they can take those items to the slash pile -- it's very sad that it was the house instead of the slash.  I'm glad if I can teach anyone what I learned yesterday - so thank you Jenny!

 
11:39pm • #14
250,197 Points 3 Featured Posts

Mary, this is so very sad. I agree, to lose one's pets that way would be devasting. It is also true that as it turns out, there was nothing you could have done, but I understand how it has changed your perspective. You are so right, it's up to all of us to look out for one another.

Debi
11:48pm • #15
1,174,519 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mary it is never easy losing a pet.  I remember once going by a stable fire it was just awful.
11:50pm • #16
FEB
04
2010
471,955 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Debi, It was so sad to read the news, I can't even imagine how the pet owners must feel and I never want to feel the way I did again -  So I appreciate that it changed my perspective and hope we will all be better neighbors because of it.  Thanks Debi, I'm glad you came by tonight and appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

Hi Jennifer, oh that is awful. I feel so sad for animals that are trapped by fire as they are helpless. Thanks for coming by Jennifer, I appreciate it.
12:10am • #17
568,765 Points 29 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Mary, What a heart wrenching story! A family that loses their home and all of their animals too. That would be absolutely horrible.  There's nothing you could have done at the time that you had heard about the fire, by then it was too late.  It will be a memory that will not soon be forgotten.
11:17am • #18
655,834 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mary,

How could you have known....?  At least the people were not home otherwise who knows.

I feel bad when I leave my dog in the house.....  He would not be able to escape.

Ann Hayden in Wildwood, MO
12:16pm • #19
520,480 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

At least you know that your call wouldn't have changed the outcome this time, but it is a valuable lesson to us to be more aware of our surroundings.  I am so sorry those people lost their home and their pets.
6:34pm • #20
471,955 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Hi Sandy, It's terrible, I feel so badly for them. You're right by the time I saw the smoke it was too late.   At least I know what I will do next time.  Maybe next time, it will make a difference!  Thank you for coming by Sandy, I appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

Hi Ann, I wish they had been home and able to call for help, and save their pets - but I guess that was not meant to be.  It is so sad!  We leave our dog inside when we are gone, too - thinking that is the safest place for her.  I'm glad you came by, thanks Ann!

 

Hi Stacey-Ann,  You're right it is a valuable lesson learned - thank you, I am so sorry for them too.  I hope as a community we will be able to locate them and help them out.  I appreciate your comments today, thanks Stacey!
6:57pm • #21
FEB
06
2010
280,235 Points 3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Mary!  I am so glad that the non-call was not a factor in the terrible result for your neighbor.  Thanks for sharing this with us because it makes US ALL MORE AWARE how we should take nothing for granted.

Like a good neighbor,  Mary will now be there. . . . . .  . .
9:58pm • #22
FEB
07
2010
471,955 Points 26 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Called Shot Master

Bruce, I can only imagine how badly I would have felt if that would have been a factor, I feel badly anyway for their loss - I'm glad to learn the lesson and to share - I hope it will help.  Thank you Bruce, it's nice of you to come by!
10:34am • #23

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Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado (United Country Ponderosa Realty) Rainmaker_large

Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Red Feather Lakes, CO

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United Country Ponderosa Realty

Address: P.O. Box 184, 23340 Red Feather Lakes Rd., Red Feather Lakes, CO, 80545

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Cell Phone: (970) 231-5756

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