smokerblog

Check Your Batteries

My parents had a bit of excitement Saturday morning when the ashes my dad had cleaned from the wood-burning stove caused the basement to catch fire. Thankfully, the smoke detector alerted them in time and everyone was able to get out safely.

The wiring, the plumbing, and the ductwork all need to be replaced, but there does not appear to be any structural damage. The cement block basement walls kept the fire somewhat contained. Everything in that room was destroyed, but luckily nothing vitally important was stored there. I don't know the extent of the smoke damage yet, but all told, we are thankful that the fire did not spread any further.

My mom and grandmother are staying with friends, while my dad insisted on returning to the house last night, no doubt to stay close to the business. He plugged the tv and lamp into the gas-powered generator and watched some NCAA basketball before going to sleep in his own bed. I hope he kept warm in the unheated house... Lows may have reached the single digits last night...