Monday, August 27, 2012

A terrible day

Last night at approximately 10 pm a fire broke out in a downtown business. I am sad to report that as of now, at 6 pm, it is still burning. Yes, over 20 hours and at least 3 buildings are destroyed and many adjacent buildings may be damaged beyond repair. Still too early to know for sure. We have lost a half a block of businesses and apartments. Very luckily there have been no deaths but dozens are homeless. One of the buildings affected is our Police Department. They were forced to evacuate last night, grabbed what they could, and are now set up temporarily at the Fire Station.

Five fire departments are on scene. They are exhausted with no end in sight in the immediate future. Please say a little prayer for our emergency workers as this fire is still ongoing, heading towards the 24 hour mark.


















The community has rallied and people were dropping off donations of food and water all day to support the firefighters.


These photos are all borrowed from our local radio station's Facebook page.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

21 comments:

  1. So sad! I am glad the community is stepping in to help.

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  2. I do hope everyone is safe, always glad to see community support. Prayers being sent, Julie.

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  3. How terrible. I really hope that they are able to get it under control soon and that everyone is safe - including all of the firefighters. Healing thoughts...xxoo

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  4. Kim, this is so sad to see those old building being destroyed. I know how proud you are of your friendly town. I'll keep you all in my prayers. This will mean more work ahead for you I presume. You have a very good community and in times like these, they will pull together to help. I hope that there isn't any casualty.

    Big hugs, JB

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  5. Kim,
    So sorry to see so much loss in your beloved hometown. Prayers being sent that every one will pull through safely...... especially the fire fighters.
    Take care Kim!!
    Hugs!
    Cathy G

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  6. I hope they contain the fires before anyone is hurt. Take care

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  7. Kim ~
    How sad to see such beautiful buildings burned beyond repair. Thankfully no one was hurt physically, but the mental hurt is bad, too.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  8. Oh, Kim! How awful for your community!
    Hopefully the firefighters will be able to get it under control soon. I will be praying for their safety.

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  9. Oh Kim, I hate when old buildings that show the character of a town are destroyed.So sad for your community.Prayers to you all, Cheri

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  10. I am so sorry I am married to a long time fire fighter it is a horror to see so much gone.
    Cathy

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  11. It makes me cry to see that beautiful little town still burning. You must be so exhausted from all of the stress. I have prayed all day.
    I will keep praying that the fire will soon be out.

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  12. How horrible and devastating for the community. I hope it is under control by now and no one is hurt.

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  13. This is an awful blow to your community. I am very glad no one was hurt but I feel for the homeless because of the firel.

    Prayers for all of you!

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  14. So sorry about the fire. That is just terrible about all of the loss and the people who are displaced. I'm sure there were a lot of people that lost everything they own and don't have insurance. I hope that there is some agency that can help them to find a new place to live.

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  15. How terrible! The only shining thread in all of it is how communities rally together during tragedies. I hope all goes well in the recovery and rebuild.

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  16. Wow! They look to have buildings with beautiful architecture... good to know that no one got hurt in all this.

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  17. Just devastating. I will keep your community in my prayers.

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  18. OMG, Kim, this is just awful. Horrible isn't a big enough word. I can't enlarge your photos, so I'm taking a magnifier to them to try to see if I recognize which buildings burned. Is that Tim Horton's in the one photograph? If so, then I can figure it out. I am SO very sorry for everyone affected by this. Please keep us posted on this tragedy.

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  19. How very tragic. Such beautiful buildings and history....and the devastation for your community. Of course I will pray....furiously. Hugs to you ~ Robin

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  20. Kim,
    That is a tragic fire. So fortunate that there was no loss of life. Those look like old 1850's era buildings? How devastating! Your town looks a lot like my town, which was incorporated 1840,
    Melinda

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  21. Heartbreaking on so many levels it's impossible to quantify.
    They say that which doesn't kill you (as a person or community) leaves your stronger ~ and that may be true ~
    But that doesn't nod to the emotion of such hard found strength. Thinking of you and all those, immediate and long term, who will be both less and more because of this....

    Hugs
    Issy

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