Fire at the Cabin

 Last weekend we were invited to Scofield for our last weekend at the cabin before the water is turned off and the cabins are closed for the winter.  We had a fabulous weekend and woke up Sunday morning with a bit of sadness knowing that we would be heading down the canyon for the last time until next Spring.  We had a light breakfast and then decided to play a few hands of bridge before starting dinner and cleaning the cabin.  We were sitting at the table in the front room when Judy happened to notice some black clouds drifting by the window.  Not knowing what it was we continued the play when she noticed someone running between the cabin and the one on the East of us.  Then she saw clouds of black smoke.  We all ran out the front and to the back of the cabin to see that the whole back side of the cabin was on fire.  Ron quickly got the hose and started spraying water on the back while the neighbor came down with a huge fire extinguisher and his son followed with a second one.  After about 1/2 hour we were able to get the fire out.  In the mean time the fire department came up from Helper along with the ambulance.  They checked the cabin inside and out, top and bottom and were assured that the fire was out. After reports were written, hugs were given and mounds of thanks expressed the fire people left.  We ended up having a delicious dinner, cleaning the cabin, packing up and heading home.  The fire damage was not as bad as it could have been.  The fire didn't penetrate the cabin wall.  Just melted the siding and burned the plywood but didn't go through.  

As we were leaving the cabin, Ron asked me to say a prayer before we headed home.  I started but the emotion of the day completely caught up with me and the tears came and my ability to speak was gone.  All of a sudden I felt Judy's arms around me and she finished the prayer.  It was beautiful and sincere.  A moment I will never forget.  I've never heard Judy say a prayer of any kind.  It was a very spiritual and touching moment.

This is a picture of David who first spotted the fire, who called 911 and who came with the two fire extinguishers.  Judy gave him a hug and told him how very grateful they were.  He had tears in his eyes and said he was so grateful that he happened to be outside and saw the smoke.  

Ron and the police officer filling out all the reports.

All of the firemen, behind the cabin doing their inspection.

These next two pictures are the shed right behind the cabin.  It didn't catch on fire but the heat was so intense that it melted the siding.

I felt so badly for Ron and Judy.  The fire was started by some coals from the fire that were not out.  Ron thought they were and set them back behind cabin and the wind, that morning, started the embers up and the wood pile caught and from there the fire to the cabin wall.

We were grateful no one was hurt and that we made it home safety.  However, it took us 3 1/2 hours to get home.  The traffic was horrible coming out of the canyon.  But we offered our thanks that we made it home safe and we were all well.