Can you keep your cool when things get hot?
May 2, 2017 9:26:09 GMT -7
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Cwi555, cajunlady87, and 1 more like this
Post by huntinguy on May 2, 2017 9:26:09 GMT -7
WARNING: long post/narrative. Cliffs notes: my truck caught on fire and burned. I'm fine.
My daddy always says "You never know what's going to happen next!"....except sometimes you do.
When I realized I was stuck, I knew I better check for a grass fire. This time there was one. As I walked around the back of the truck I dropped the tailgate and let my dog out of her kennel and grabbed my shovel.
I couldn't get to it to put it out because the truck was so low on the ground. I don't think a fire extinguisher would have gotten it. I realized my truck was going to burn.
I called 911 as I hustled back around the truck grabbing the kennel on the way. I stepped in the passenger door and opened my console. I rescued my Bible, three pistols and my truck AR. I carried them to the upwind edge of the field 50 yards away and dropped them in a safe spot and ran back towards my truck and the fire with my shovel.
When i got back, it had back burned out from under the truck.
At that point I thought the truck was going to be ok... but the gas tank was dripping burning plastic. I tried putting it out with several shovels of wet dirt but couldn't get it out.
I switched to trying to save the houses across the field. I had to walk away from the truck knowing it would be lost.
Thanks to a watchful neighbor who had his tiller on his tractor, the wooden house (with a woman and children inside) was saved via the firebreak and wind direction. The other house was straight downwind.
I ran across the field with my shove, through the fire to the house. I beat on the door and shouted under the empty garage that there was a fire. Then I stretched the water hose to its limits and began wetting the perimeter of the yard. The fire was soon there but thankfully was slowed by a low wet area of the field.
Some first responders began to arrive and helped me with shovels and backpack sprayers and eventually a pickup with a tank.
The fire truck showed up and (eventually) extinguished my burning truck, rather than help keep the house safe.
I warned a deputy on scene at the house that there were loaded guns and lots of ammo in the truck. I asked him to alert the firemen and ask them to come help at the house. He determined ( with his hand on his hip, while I'm beating grassfires with a shovel) "it's about burnt out and ain't gonna do nuthin'". I told him if a firefighter caught a round it was gonna be on him. Right about them a few rounds cooked off and he radioed over. "Shakes head"
The only loss was my truck, and everything in it. If you know me you know that was a lot. A BOB, a hunting bag similarly equipped, a Saddleback Leather briefcase, a deer rifle and scope, a high end duck shotgun lots of coats, jackets various other gear , several extra (loaded)mags for my AR and Glock, lots of spare ammo. Binoculars, rangefinders etc. oh and 3 car seats. 😂
It's just a truck and stuff. I had insurance on the truck. I'm thankful that nothing else is hurt or lost.
Tonight I'll hug and kiss my babies and my wife. You should do the same.
Even in loss, Gods hand of providence is still evident in many ways. Neighbors and first responders, friends who offer help and rides, a schedule change that meant my wife could pick up the kids.
His grace is sufficient.
I kept my head throughout the whole event and can't think of anything ( outside of not getting stuck) that I'd do differently.
A bystander videoed the fire and shared it with me.
My daddy always says "You never know what's going to happen next!"....except sometimes you do.
When I realized I was stuck, I knew I better check for a grass fire. This time there was one. As I walked around the back of the truck I dropped the tailgate and let my dog out of her kennel and grabbed my shovel.
I couldn't get to it to put it out because the truck was so low on the ground. I don't think a fire extinguisher would have gotten it. I realized my truck was going to burn.
I called 911 as I hustled back around the truck grabbing the kennel on the way. I stepped in the passenger door and opened my console. I rescued my Bible, three pistols and my truck AR. I carried them to the upwind edge of the field 50 yards away and dropped them in a safe spot and ran back towards my truck and the fire with my shovel.
When i got back, it had back burned out from under the truck.
At that point I thought the truck was going to be ok... but the gas tank was dripping burning plastic. I tried putting it out with several shovels of wet dirt but couldn't get it out.
I switched to trying to save the houses across the field. I had to walk away from the truck knowing it would be lost.
Thanks to a watchful neighbor who had his tiller on his tractor, the wooden house (with a woman and children inside) was saved via the firebreak and wind direction. The other house was straight downwind.
I ran across the field with my shove, through the fire to the house. I beat on the door and shouted under the empty garage that there was a fire. Then I stretched the water hose to its limits and began wetting the perimeter of the yard. The fire was soon there but thankfully was slowed by a low wet area of the field.
Some first responders began to arrive and helped me with shovels and backpack sprayers and eventually a pickup with a tank.
The fire truck showed up and (eventually) extinguished my burning truck, rather than help keep the house safe.
I warned a deputy on scene at the house that there were loaded guns and lots of ammo in the truck. I asked him to alert the firemen and ask them to come help at the house. He determined ( with his hand on his hip, while I'm beating grassfires with a shovel) "it's about burnt out and ain't gonna do nuthin'". I told him if a firefighter caught a round it was gonna be on him. Right about them a few rounds cooked off and he radioed over. "Shakes head"
The only loss was my truck, and everything in it. If you know me you know that was a lot. A BOB, a hunting bag similarly equipped, a Saddleback Leather briefcase, a deer rifle and scope, a high end duck shotgun lots of coats, jackets various other gear , several extra (loaded)mags for my AR and Glock, lots of spare ammo. Binoculars, rangefinders etc. oh and 3 car seats. 😂
It's just a truck and stuff. I had insurance on the truck. I'm thankful that nothing else is hurt or lost.
Tonight I'll hug and kiss my babies and my wife. You should do the same.
Even in loss, Gods hand of providence is still evident in many ways. Neighbors and first responders, friends who offer help and rides, a schedule change that meant my wife could pick up the kids.
His grace is sufficient.
I kept my head throughout the whole event and can't think of anything ( outside of not getting stuck) that I'd do differently.
A bystander videoed the fire and shared it with me.