After the Fire

After the Fire Neighbors supported us. The house has been rebuilt. But we may never fully recover.

Essay by Fernando Arias-Mendoza

On Jan. 4, 2018, our house in Queen Village of more than 30 years was hit by fire. We live on the first block of Pemberton Street, mostly formed by historic houses with an appealing oldenday charm. It has been more than a year since the fire, but still, it feels recent. And we aren’t the only ones having these thoughts. Nearby and not-so-near neighbors have told us that the fire deeply affected them.

At 4 a.m., just a few hours after the news of a nor’easter, a fire started in a house two lots away from ours. An unattended space heater and a faulty electrical system seemed to be the reason for the fire, which damaged six houses in addition to the building where it started. We were awakened by a strong smoke smell and hard banging from firefighters already working next door, but the fire had not yet spread to our home. This delay allowed us to leave the house still under safer conditions and to gather some belongings. When we got out, the flames were not yet in our home, but the fire was engulfing the house next to us.

I remember the few days after the fire in a haze. Scenes of the house after the fire marshal allowed us in were as if the house was frozen in time but covered with soot, trampled, wet, or cut in pieces. I also found it difficult to move forward on those days, as if I were carrying a huge load on my shoulders. What is next? was a pressing and somewhat unanswered question in my head. Thankfully, our neighbors (our heroes!) from Queen Village came to the rescue, showing us how blessed we are for living in this neighborhood.

But even things as devastating as fire have a way to come to an end, and, after 11 months of renovation, we finally got back in our house. It looks different because of the changes made during renovation, especially those regarding fire prevention and control. However, more importantly, sometimes we think the house seems different because we don’t feel safe inside. How are we going to know if another next-door neighbor has been diligent enough with their electrical system, or heating system or fireplace?

Do we still think about the fire? All the time. That is the reason why we do not feel safe anymore. At the slight smell of smoke, we react—looking for the source to ensure it is not a threat. A fire engine on the road? Our hearts skip a beat. Do we have post-traumatic stress disorder? You bet we do.

But still, we call this house our home and we are here attempting to recover and at the same time learn from the experience. We made our old historical house safer and we have a contingency plan to follow. And we believe being aware of a possible fire is important. We hope that relating our experience will make people wonder if their houses are safe enough and if they have a plan to follow in an emergency. We hope you do. For the sake of your family, you, and your neighbors all around you. ■

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