Where there's smoke, there's fire

I am reminded of the time 25 years ago when I saw so much black smoke coming from the neighbors chimney that I called the fire department 911. I thought the apartment was on fire. It turns out that she was "just" burning WAY too much stuff in her fireplace and got sternly reprimanded by the fireman in the raincoat that went to her door. I actually saw the fireplace and it was an unbelievable sheet of fire inside that STILL stands out in my memory. I think I must have knocked on her door before I called 911, but I cannot remember. Later she was very angry at me and insisted she knew exactly what she was doing the entire time.

(later)

OK, I remember now --- I called 911, Then I called 911 BACK and told them it was a false alarm because it was smoke out of the chimney, but they said the Fire Engine had already been dispatched. I waited on the street for the Fire Engine to tell them and THAT is why I was standing by the fireman when he went to the door -- and I saw inside my neighbors apartment.

copyright (c) 2016

William Schaeffer