Tuesday, May 5, 2009

A Person's Worst Nightmare

Thursday morning my husband mentioned that he thought he heard sirens earlier that morning, around 3:00am or so. Sirens that were REALLY close by. As it turns out, a home in our neighborhood caught on fire. It didn't burn to the ground but I would imagine it's a complete loss. This was a well maintained 4700 sq foot home, with pool and 4 car garage. As you can imagine the loss is devastating. I drove by yesterday to take some pictures and saw the clean up crew busy at work. A gate has been put up around the house to keep people out. I also noticed that they lost 2 cars in the fire, they are still parked in the garage.




This house sits on a large corner lot and has always been known as the "Santa Claus House." Every year the owners decorated big time at Christmas, drawing crowds from all over the city. The owners would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, hand out candy canes and pose for pictures. They also had 2 trains decorated for Christmas and gave children rides around the neighborhood to see all of the decorations. Our neighborhood has long been known as the place to be during the holidays. At times I'm not even able to back out of my driveway due to traffic. We have limo rides that come through as well as horse drawn carriages giving people rides around the neighborhood to see all of the decorated homes. Christmas in my neighborhood is magical to say the least.

The owners of the Santa Claus house sold it recently due to health issues. It was too large of a home for them to care for any longer. The new owners have only been in this house for a year or so. They have done some remodeling and updating and were really showing pride of ownership. Having your home burn down is every person's nightmare so my heart just breaks for them.

If you get the chance, please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers. I'm sure they would appreciate it.

22 comments:

Brenda said...

Oh Linda, that is horribly sad. To lose everything not only materially but emotionally as well.
So much worse of course for them, but also for the "Claus's" as well as all of you in the neighborhood who have such wonderful memories.
Our prayers for All of you.
God bless.

mommakin said...

Truly tragic. No word on the cause of the fire?

BittersweetPunkin said...

Oh thats so sad...I do hope they are able to pick themselves up and rebuild.

Unknown said...

Oh wow Linda, that is just so sad. I can't imagine how I would feel if our home were taken by fire. People always say well, it's just stuff and if you have your life, but we have so many memories and momentos in our home................as do most of us. I hope they are well, and will keep them in my prayers.

dani said...

how awful, linda!!! i will definitely say a prayer for them...
much love,
dani xxx

Bren's Life said...

That is terrible! I am so sorry to hear that.. Where they ok? Did anyone get hurt?

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Oh, linda so sad! I will pray for them.

Loretta said...

Linda that is so sad. When I was a young girl I watched a home in my neighborhood burn down. It started when the owner tried to add gasoline to his lawn mower while the engine was still hot. Luckily he was not hurt. I'm sure they will rebuild. I will keep them in prayer tonight. Thank goodness they were not hurt. Have a nice evening! Hugs, Loretta

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

That truly is everyone's worst nightmare. It is so sad. I will continue to keep them in my prayers.
Molly

Natasha said...

How terrible and thanks for sharing so that we can all pray for that family and be grateful for our own homes!

Lene said...

That is one of my biggest fears. I hope they are okay.

nanny said...

That is so sad, Hope they are OK.

Daphine said...

Oh goodness! What a real sad shame! My prayers will definitely be going up for them. I am assuming that no one was hurt in the fire? Do they even know the cause of it?

Michelle Alley said...

Oh my, so awful. So glad no one was hurt - any news on what started it? Take care. Michelle.

Christine said...

That house had some real found memories for you and your family. I think we all have a home or two in our neighborhoods that have stories about them.
Sorry to hear about this one.

Joyce said...

Oh how sad...I will pray.

tammy said...

That is so sad, and also one of my worst nightmares!

Kitty Scraps said...

Oh Linda, I know from personal experience how devestating it is to lose your home to a fire. Your poor neighbors, my heart goes out to them. My prayers are with them.

Da Bergs said...

Oh, NO!!!! That is horrible!!! I wonder what happened... 3 am??? I am guessing no one was hurt???

How cute to have a Santa and Mrs. Santa living on your street... I bet you miss them!

valerie said...

That is so sad! I will keep this family in my prayers.
What special memories your neighborhood has of this home and previous family.
I pray they'll be able to rebuild soon.

Meggie said...

How devastating! Can you imagine losing photos like you have on your rose garden wall? What a tragedy that would be.

CB said...

That is so very sad. I remember watching a house burn down in my neighborhood when I was a girl and it was just mesmerizing. Fire is so powerful. Those poor people.

I feel wrong adding this is the same comment but your street sounds wonderful at Christmas!