Fire Aftermath

Since the fire on Thursday, we have learned a bit more.  The fire started above Norma Bridge's apartment.  There was a lot of fire damage in her home.  The other apartments were not burned, but the burning ceiling fell in on them, causing irreparable damage.  Six apartments on the third floor were a total loss.  Very little was salvageable.  Everything smelled strongly of smoke and had suffered significant water damage.  The six apartments below these on the second and first floors also suffered extensive water damage, with the second floor obviously suffering more damage than the first floor.  But there was water everywhere.  

As we helped people empty apartments, everything was wet and there was no electricity or water.  I always suggested to people coming to help that they wear boots, gloves, and hats, that they bring a portable lantern or a head lamp, and be prepared to work hard because there are no elevators.  We've walked up and down stairs hauling boxes and belongings, all in the cold.  But ward members have come and worked, day after day.  Youth have come, older members, everyone, and it's been a blessing for everyone, both those who have been displaced and those who have helped them.  

The building is going to be gutted.  Everyone must leave, even those whose apartments were untouched by the fire.  Systems will be replaced, the roof will be redone, it will be a full restoration.  But that means that everyone must go somewhere else, either for a long-term temporary absence, or to move on to other spaces permanently.  We are losing seven apartments of people, either couples or single people, but retaining several who are relocating within the ward.  The others will be return when the building is finished.  It's a big change for everyone.

Below are some of the aftermath pictures.  I went with Stacey Smith to see about salvaging things from her apartment.  This is the third floor hallway.  It's open to the sky because the ceiling caved in, and all the sheet rock is off the walls because the firemen needed to make sure there were no hot spots left in the walls. 

This is Stacey's front room.  As you can see, the fire didn't get into her apartment, but the burning roof fell through and landed in her house.  And then is snowed.  The bedroom on the right of the living room looks just like this, but her bedroom on the left wasn't as badly damaged.  Still, she retrieved very little.