To the editor:
During the late summer months, I had a new wiring system installed into my pellet stove only to discover that it was not working properly and despite my installer’s few visits to ascertain the reason(s) why, it came to a point wherein I was dumping the ash bin almost on a daily basis wasting about 10 40 lb. bags of pellets the prior week – including Monday, the day of the barn fire — with me having an appointment
to have the stove checked out again on Tuesday. Each night, if I felt that the ash bin would definitely become too full, I would shut down the stove, leave the house, emptying said bin the following morning upon my return from work; I work the graveyard shift as a waitress at the local truck stop.
I dumped what I thought were completely cold ashes at the same location (as I had the prior three winters) without considering the possibility there were embers in-between the top and bottom layers nor taking into consideration the timing and amount of ashes that I was dumping in the same location and having not done so, did not rake through said pile of ashes to ascertain any hot spots so Fire Chief Milton Cone’s conjecture, therefore, of improper disposal of pellet ashes is probably correct.
I sorely paid for that mistake and lack of forethought. Besides the loss of a lawnmower, a metal roof snow rake, and other valuables that were in the barn with $90 worth of SeaFoam gas additive that I’d bought two days earlier and heavy duty insulated snow hat with flaps and long insulated winter gloves inside the car, I lost a beautiful, great working 2005 PT Cruiser convertible and 2008 Honda Rebel 250 motorcycle with saddlebags and helmet. Fortunately I have full insurance coverage and the gap warranty from York’s that will pay off the present car loan and my motorcycle had no liens on it.
I want to thank those people who came to my aid with Kathy Bates being the first as she’s the one that informed me of my burning barn; I know that I upset her by not immediately leaving the house but my cats and dog are my family with my human family all living in California and they’re my priority. After opening the office window, I grabbed whichever was in reach and threw him/her out the window but my hollering scared some of them and they fled upstairs causing me to panic more but I did leave the house with Patches (St. Bernard/mix dog) and with the help of Tim (a neighbor) was able to realize that I could take Patches to Doug (who’d just arrived home) and Jennifer’s place and subsequent cats that the firemen were able to catch when they went inside; Doug and Jennifer’s assistance was invaluable to me as the cats were extremely frightened and the haven given them allowed their mindset to regain their knowledge of safety.
As reported, my house and property are not insured; I did not investigate the possibility that no insurance company would insure it because of its dilapidated condition prior to purchase; hence I could not get a home improvement loan due to the fact that I could not buy the insurance until the house was improved on. Of course, without question, I thank those firemen who made sure that not only was the blaze quickly controlled and did not spread to the mainframe of the house but that there was no excessive smoke entering said house allowing my cats trapped to easily and safely breathe the air. I am thankful to those firemen that realized the importance of the lives of my cats and went inside and brought out those they could catch.
To Lynn (a neighbor) who managed to keep me calm particularly after I saw one of my cats that I’d thrown out the window re-enter the house through the same window and I tried to get back into the house to retrieve her and any others that I might’ve come across. She continually reminded me that the fire chief and others said that the fire was contained and therefore, my cats were safe within the house.
After everything had settled down and I’d spent approximately an hour or so looking for my cats, I found all that I’d thrown out the window waiting for me on the front porch. All cats are accounted for and are all safely home. She also brought over a raincoat and warm gloves to wear while standing in the pouring rain and somehow got me laughing.
To my boss, Greg, who called me about two hours later (having been called by a neighbor) asking my condition and what he thought he might be able to assist with; I’ve worked for him for almost 10 years and we’ve had our differences but I have to say that out of all the bosses that I’ve worked for in my 50 years of employment, I feel that he’s one of the best I’ve worked for.
To Naomi who read about it on Facebook (I was on Facebook?) who also called asking my condition and kept talking to me until I’d regained complete composure.
To Jared and his wife, Addie (my home and visiting teachers from church) who saw it on TV (TV? bad news, nowadays, likes to travel fast) who bought me some food — particularly, some “comfort” food; thanks guys, it was delicious.
To Jim Newman, my electrician who came over two times – first to check the stability and safety of my electric outlets so that the Houlton Water Company could turn my electricity back on and the second time to change a fuse with a clear explanation as to why the blow-out had occurred during the fire and also to HWC who came out after 5 p.m. to switch my electricity back on so that I would not be left without lights and heat for the evening. It’s a good thing that Jim made me promise to throw out all the food that was in my refrigerator/freezer as I’ve since learned that said refrigerator has to be replaced.
To Floyd (who lives down the street and with whom I work two nights a week) for giving me rides to work until I’m able to purchase another car; as well as to Mark whom also will be providing rides to work two nights a week – both saving me two-hour walks and leaving me with only one night to wonder how to get to work. I do have a mountain bike that I’d not yet placed inside the barn but sadly, it’s in ill-repair and cannot be ridden.
To Cathy (whom I do not know) who mailed me a sympathy card with a financial gift attached; thank you! You’re obviously a very nice person and I would really like to meet you and thank you in person.
I also want to thank Mr. Joseph Cyr for not only accurately reporting this harrowing incident but in particular, for extending me the courtesy and respect of spelling my last name correctly.
Linda S. Christiansen
Houlton
