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bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1669
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 11:09 pm: | 
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Anyone within 1 mile of South Orange at approximately 5:32 saw the flash of lightning and heard the simultaneous bolt of thunder that caused me to start in the driver's seat within a block of my home. A kid walking in the rain hit the ground and then bolted - I wanted to offer him a ride as I was worried about his safety but he was booking and out of there! I got home and started calling for my cat. I live on Church Street and heard the sound of the SOFD trucks start wailing from a block away, the sound growing more distant as it does every time they respond to an alarm.
After coaxing my cat inside and past his fears of the sound of thunder, I head to sis's house, where there is a scanner on 24/7. When I arrived, Orange and Montclair were both responding to command central while East Orange, Livingston, and Millburn were on standby. The radio chatter intensified, and Livingston, Cedar Grove, East Orange, Newark, and another township responded to "command central" while Maplewood and Millburn (I may be wrong here, this was confusing and worriesome) were covering HQ (meaning if another fire broke out, there is response on site).
We're hearing direction to other towns' trucks to use "Mountainhouse" and "Montrose" b/c of train trestle height, but we can't figure out where the fricking fire is. Is it Montrose School?? Is it on Meeker?? Meanwhile, we have a fairly good view of Mead Street and Vose Ave., and there hasn't been any active emergency vehicle presence through there.
I finally call a friend who has a friend who can find out what the FLOCK is going on, and find out that the house on fire (with the flames nearing a a gas main), is 147 Ralston Avenue. I grew up at 137 Ralston Avenue, and couldn't imagine either next-door neighbor's house burned.  . It was the side towards Charlton. . I guess I'll go by tomorrow to see what remains of that magnificent house that I spent many an hour exploring.
They got the dog out alive, and as I'd heard chatter about the dog, that was a great relief to me.
Thank you, SOFD. I can hear when you go out every time there's a lightning/thunderstorm, and usually it turns out to be an alarm triggered by the energy generated by such storms. But I know how many times there has actually been a strike/fire situation, and listening to and worrying about you tonight: you deserve mucho grande kudos all around.
SOFD and SOPD, perfect together.
Thank you. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1678
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 12:39 am: |
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It was a green house. What I call Wedding Cake style with beautifully detailed ginger-bread decoration. Deep covered (great for covert) front porch.
The house next door. I know my therapist will say, "another loss."
Can't wait to see it in the mourning.
Postscript: I hear the third floor's gone, a good portion of the 2nd. Imagine the water damage to the rest. I know my house, next door, had mahogany paneling in the entranceway and front staircase and I don't want to think about this house and it's gone status.
Don't Fluke with Mother Nature!
Missing my house on Ralston,
Bets
[deleted] |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1680
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 1:24 am: |
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And just in case I can be any worse at giving accurate information, I must say:
This fire was caused by a lightning strike
and nothing else. *That* lightning strike.
Yes, that one. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1296
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 7:04 am: |
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Bets-
Thought it might ease your mind to know the cake house is still there! I drove up Ralston from Scotland to Grove Park and could see no after effects of a fire anywhere. I didn't have time to go down Charlston though... |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 805
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 8:16 am: |
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*That* lightning strike.
That same strike shook my house. Scary  . As soon as I heard the sirens I knew either a house was struck or a tree went down. I'm less than a mile away.
BTW…they showed the house on channel 4's 11pm news last night. Looked like an older home. A side portion of the upper level was the destroyed. |
LibraryLady(ncjanow)
Supporter
Username: Librarylady
Post Number: 2572
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 8:40 am: |
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Went by there is morning. Lots of people and contractors standing in the street looking. It is a lovely old home. The third floor is boarded up and there was no way for me to ascertain the interior damage, but...it looks like it could be saved. What a beautiful old home. Thank goodness no one was hurt. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1297
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 9:10 am: |
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Was it on Ralston? I drove up Ralston about 6:45 this morning and didn't see anything. Not even the yellow tape you usually see. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1683
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 9:55 am: |
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I took pix. Apparently, the damage was to the back of the house and to the interior. I stopped to speak to the occupants, who were moving stuff out, and they aren't sure whether they'll rebuild. So sad.
Here's my grand old lady next door:
 |
Pizzaz
Citizen
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 1893
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 10:05 am: |
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Bets: Your grand old lady is still gorgeous.  |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1685
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 7, 2005 - 10:18 am: |
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Yes she is, Pizzaz. Thank you. |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 1071
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 9:29 am: |
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Wow, what a sad, sad, frightening story. And what stunningly beautiful homes. Victorian and Craftsmen are my absolute favorites. Hope they can repair the damage.
BTW, bets, sent you a P/L (or two). |
Mrs T
Citizen
Username: Netjack
Post Number: 146
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2005 - 2:55 pm: |
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I just drove by the house, and there were a lot of water and fire damage contractors there. It is a beautiful house, truly lovely. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 1770
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, June 10, 2005 - 11:43 pm: |
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And if anyone is interested in whether the trea to the right is a dogwood or not, it is indeed. It is variety Cornus kousa, of Japanese origin. The one in front of Ralston is the biggest I've ever seen. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 1352
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, June 11, 2005 - 4:07 am: |
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bets
Something strange I just remembered - I thought I saw the house with the fire listed for sale a month or so ago. Do you know if it had been sold? I hope there wasn't too much damage inside.
A few years ago a house on Scotland was hit and about 10 years ago a house off Ridgewood near Marrow Church was hit. Sad... |
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