Fire...

...can be so many things.  It can warm and comfort on a cold day.  It can also cause fear and loss.  Such extreme perspectives for the same word.

This morning started out with fear from fire.  The apartment building next to the one I live in was burning.  Quite honestly, it was scary watching the flames engulf the roof of the entire building and seeing how close that building is to the one I live in.  All it would take was a little wind to carry the flames across...

But, God protected.  All occupants of the building that burned were evacuated safely with no injuries!  All occupants from the east wing of "my" building were also safely evacuated (due to smoke inhalation risks).  My section of the building was the furthest east that was NOT evacuated.  But, I did pack up essentials just in case...and was so relieved to see the fire lessen as the fire fighters gained control.  Small isolated fires continue to burn, but the massive flames from earlier were gone.  Smoke filled the area and at one point, it was impossible to see between the two buildings because the smoke was so thick.  The east building is a total loss.

 Please ignore dates/times on the photos (major camera battery problems). These are AFTER the fire was controlled, though not extinguished. My batteries were ALL dead earlier on when the flames were making things look a bit scary.

My building is the one on the right in the above photo. You can see how close the buildings are and how thick the smoke was at times.

Some through the waters, some through the flood,

Some through the fire, but all through the blood;

Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,

In the night season and all the day long. 

I could not help but think of the above words all morning.  Two years ago, I was evacuated by boat due to severe flooding.  This morning, I was not evacuated, but that concern was present until the fire was under control.  In ALL things, God is good.  I do not have to understand His ways, only trust Him.

I am so grateful for God's protection this morning!  Everyone got out OK! Now, praying for all of those displaced.  Yes, it was scary until they got the fire under control.  I live in the building adjacent to the one that burned. At one point they were directing at least one hose onto the roof of the building I live in to cool it down and prevent the fire from spreading to this building.  To my knowledge, there are still small fires burning, but I honestly have not looked for awhile.  Other than the fact that everything smells like smoke, I was untouched by the fire itself, though impacted by the scene of watching those who lost everything...a powerful reminder of true priorities. I remember clearly nearly two years ago packing under similar, yet very different, circumstances.  In that case it was flooding and I was forced to evacuate.  Again, I had to decide what was most important to take with me for an unknown duration.  In that instance I had no way of knowing when I'd be allowed back in.  In contrast, this morning, the fire was controlled soon enough that I did not need to be evacuated.  While I packed with unknowns in mind, I knew relatively soon after that it was not necessary and that once out, they'd let me back in again.  (The entire street is blocked off with no traffic in or out.  I did have to ask and did have to convince the police officer this afternoon to let me back in.  At first, he didn't think I could actually get there, but when I explained that I had gotten out fine, he let me back in.) 

Local news article on the fire:

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_357565ea-ce8a-11e1-af61-001a4bcf887a.html

Just another day...in my life that seems to think I need constant "excitement."  Honestly, I far prefer "boring" to the types of "excitement" I've had recently.  Yet, God reminds that He is faithful to carry me through even when overwhelmed by circumstances. 

 Above shows where the fire is reported to have started.

 In the above photo "my" building is on the left-too close and scary when the fire was at its worst.

 Far less scary in these photos than earlier on, yet more grave as full extent of the damage is becoming obvious.

This photo was really only to show context...partly thinking of two years ago when all of this was under water...and now full of smoke and worse.

I did go back out and look a short while ago.  No indication of fire anywhere and clean-up is already underway.  Vehicles are being towed away and debris carried away.  The sound of dripping water and falling pieces of charred building can be heard throughout the area.  

More links on things:

http://www.iowastatedaily.com/multimedia/collection_aef2414e-ceb3-11e1-8100-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.amestrib.com/sections/news/ames-and-story-county/apartment-house-burns-south-fifth-street.html

In all, I'm grateful that God is still in control even when things are out of control from a human perspective.  I am praying for those who lost everything and are now temporarily homeless; also, that I take away from this the reminder of true priorities and what is truly important.