Page 34 of Burned By Fire
“Thank you, Mrs. McCally. You’ve been very helpful. Now, please stand back and let us do our job.”
“Okay.” She nods and goes to stand with a few more neighbors.
I follow Liam around the back while Dylan and Aiden turn off the gas. Once we’re given the all-clear and the other two guys move to the front of the house, we proceed. The thick smoke moves towards us as we enter the back door, which we close behind us. My childhood home is already in ruin. We use fire extinguishers to advance into the house, fighting off some of the flames.
“Call out if you can hear me,” I shout, but nobody answers. I try again repeatedly while we make our way through the house.
Dylan is the first to respond. “Unconscious male in his fifties found in the upstairs bathroom. We’re bringing him down.”
“Any sign of my mom?” I ask. Please let her be okay. I feel guilty for not checking on her.
“No, but we haven’t checked the bedrooms.”
“Living room, hallway, and kitchen are all clear,” Liam says into the walkie-talkie.
Dylan and Aiden head out the front door as we begin to climb the stairs. The heat is rising, and I’m glad for my protective clothing. Liam checks my old bedroom as I go into my mom’s room. My fear is only kept at bay because my focus is on finding her.
“Call out!” I shout. “Mom? Can you hear me?”
The smoke reduces my visibility, but I check under the bed and around the room. I can’t see her anywhere. Flames haven’t penetrated the second floor yet, so we have time to search. The built-in closet is locked when I pull the handle. I try harder to open the door, but it just won’t budge. I use my hook to start hacking away at the wood. Once I’ve made a big enough hole, the lock starts to crumble, and I push open the door. My mom’s lifeless body is curled up on the floor, and she’s wearing her nightie. Why is she locked in here? I taught her better than to get trapped in a fire.
There is an empty water bowl and a pillow in the closet too. The water could’ve evaporated from the heat, but it looks like she’s been sleeping in here. Tears fill my eyes, but I don’t have time to wallow. We need to get out. Using my walkie-talkie, I call for Liam’s help. “I’ve found her and need assistance.”
“On my way,” he says, and he quickly appears in the doorway. His outline is all I can see until he gets closer.
He grabs her arms, and I lift her legs to get her out of the small space. She lashes out forcefully, kicking me, and I stumble onto the bed. “Mom, it’s me. We need to get out of here,” I say once I’ve recovered.
She coughs but doesn’t respond otherwise.
“Let me take her legs,” Liam suggests.
We carry her out into the hall and down the stairs. As we’re almost at the bottom, the wood gives way under me, and I lose my balance. The handrail snaps, and I begin to fall. Aiden helps me up while Dylan aids Liam in getting my mom outside the house.
“Are you okay?” Aiden asks.
“Sure. Let’s get out of here.” My head spins as we make it out onto the grass, and I sit down for a minute. The team already has the water turned on and they’re drowning the flames. That’s when my vision starts to go black, and I pass out.