The Importance of Being Prepared: Our Christmas Morning Fire Story

At 2:10 a.m. on December 25, 2024, a deafening crack of lightning jolted us from sleep. My wife and I shot up in bed, immediately sensing something was off. As we scrambled out of bed, she muttered a sharp swear and "Something's wrong." I glanced around the house—all the lights were on, the kids and pets were already gathered in the living room. Everything appeared normal, but the air felt heavy, almost foreboding. My wife mentioned smelling a faint hint of smoke, though we couldn’t see anything yet.

Then, suddenly, the house went pitch black. All the lights cut out as if on cue. “What the (F) now?” I muttered, the tension rising. My son, thinking quickly, had rushed outside into the storm, fumbling through darkness and pouring rain to reach the main breaker. With no flashlight in hand, he managed to shut down the power by feel alone—a move that likely saved us from an electrical fire.

As he returned, dripping wet, a new danger emerged. A yellow-orange glow flickered from beneath the gas range. It was subtle, visible only in the dark, but unmistakable. I hit the floor to take a closer look and felt a chill run down my spine like I have never felt before—it was a raw natural gas fire. I shouted, “Gas fire!” and scrambled for the fire extinguishers stashed in the pantry.

While I prepared to empty the extinguishers under the stove, my daughter, recalling her fire safety training, coached me from behind: “Pull the pin! Aim low! Sweep side to side!” My son dashed outside once more, this time with a pipe wrench—don’t ask me how he found it amidst the chaos—to shut off the gas at the main valve. My wife and daughter quickly gathered the pets, relaying details to 911.

With the gas off and the fire extinguished, the house filled with a dense fog of extinguisher residue. The air smelled of burnt wood and metal. We followed 911’s instructions to evacuate, moving cars and motorcycle to the street to clear space for emergency vehicles. Standing soaked in the storm, we watched as two ladder trucks and a battalion chief arrived, their lights flashing like a surreal Christmas display.

The firefighters acted swiftly, tearing open walls to ensure no hidden flames smoldered and inspecting the attic for further risks. Once they deemed the fire fully extinguished, they stayed to ensure our home was safe, offering us a moment of relief. As we exchanged some light-hearted jokes with the crew—“Who’s footing the bill for the new stove?”—it hit me just how close we’d come to disaster.

Thanks to basic safety knowledge and a few crucial steps, we averted a tragedy. Here’s what saved us:

1. Knowing Where to Shut Off Power and Gas: My son’s quick thinking to cut power and gas was critical.
2. Fire Extinguishers: Having them readily accessible made all the difference. If you don’t own one, get one—or two—today.
3. Fire Safety Training: My daughter’s reminders helped me use the extinguisher effectively in a high-stress moment.
4. Clear Communication: From calling 911 to coordinating tasks, staying calm and working together ensured everyone’s safety.

This all occurred over a few minutes, not hours. Our actions—and my son’s amazing quick and informed decisions—took 5 to 10 minutes, max, before we were outside. Time slows way down in these moments, but you have only minutes to act, and one chance to do the right things. Be prepared. Be informed. Be ready.

Oh, and it's lucky to have my son being the grandson of a pipefitter, Detroit proud, knows how to turn a mean pipe wrench! CC Local 636 United Association of Union Plumbers, Fitters, Welders and Service Techs