Don't worry, we're alive and well.

[macclellan]

The fire was about 50 feet from our porch though. We could have roasted marshmallows in my lawn chair at 4:30am! They are still putting out the smoldering, 12 hours later. Count your blessings! RIP A.J. Dillard. Story here.

 

[macclellan]

 

[Spongie]

Geez that's terrible. Glad you all are alright. I'll bet if you didn't have renters insurance you are looking at it today.

 

[digidana]

i just came on RC to PM you to see if those were your apartments.

i'm so glad you're ok! how scary.

 

[Torq21]

I just saw this a little earlier through a Facebook post from a friend and thought that looked awfully close to your apartment. Definitely glad you guys are ok!

 

[fishdoc11]

Glad you still have everything and are in 1 piece

 

[cee]

That looks ugly Joel, glad you and yours are all right though.

 

[bluestarfish]

Glad too hear that you're okay. I didn't realize that you had moved to those apartments, I have a friend that lives there and I just moved not even 2 minutes from there.

 

[reeflover101]

yes glad you are ok. i seen it this morning at 7 am it was so bad and sad

 

[TriMax]

Glad you folks are ok. Probably was upsetting to lots of folks.

 

[Runner]

Wow. Going to be rough times for a few people. Glad you are okay.

 

[macclellan]

Thanks folks, for your well wishes. Yes, of course we have renters' insurance. It's crazy not to. Some who lost everything didn't though, and that's makes it rougher than it already is.

 

[tangboy]

Glad you're alrighty there man. Didn't know you were near my part of town! Glad you're safe!

 

[Spongie]

I heard that the guy was smoking with an oxygen tank and that was what caused the initial explosion and the resulting fire. I also heard they lost 30 units. Man that sucks big time. Once again glad that you all are alright.

 

[macclellan]

Seth, that was part of the original story but was retracted shortly thereafter. The guys brother said he did not smoke, but I bet there was oxygen involved. The investigation into the cause is still ongoing.

 

[Runner]

I heard that story, too, but am always critical of our local newspaper's accounts. The article basically indicted the poor guy in its opening sentences the way it mentioned the smoking and O2 bottle...

 

[TriMax]

In telling a story, sometimes, the truth does have a place.

 

[Runner]

In telling a story, sometimes, the truth does have a place.

We all long for certain skills in our journalists -- such as the wisdom to apply "a time to be silent and a time to speak." Or perhaps "a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones."

 

[macclellan]

Yeah, even if it was true, it wasn't the time to blame the guy.