by Mona Gallagher

Created on: October 28, 2007

It was Sunday morning and when I awoke, the house was freezing. I jabbed Mark in the ribs. We'd slept late. It was 8:30 and we were due in church by 9:30 am for a breakfast meeting.

"Honey, I think the furnace went out, it's freezing in here."

Half asleep, Mark roused himself long enough to look at me, then laid his head back on his pillow.

I got up and pulled on my bathrobe. I switched on the TV thinking it would wake up Mark and that's when I saw the first reports of the fire. The entire row of twelve houses along Hirsh Avenue, located on the riverfront, was burning. I turned the volume up.

"This is what we have to report at this hour," the news commentator was saying, "Last night's ice storm knocked down power lines and it's believed that a live wire downed by the corner gas station is responsible for the fire. The houses went up in flames, one after another."

"We're going live, now, to Joanna James at the scene. What can you tell us Joanna?"

"Steve, I can tell you that the frozen fire hydrants are hindering the effort of the firemen and there are people still trapped in their homes. Everyone is working frantically to get the pipes unfrozen and to rescue the people trapped in the buildings.

So far, I see, four, no make that five, fire trucks on the scene. Volunteer firemen are expected to arrive shortly."

"Joanna, is the river frozen?"

"Steve, the river is completely frozen as it has been for several days now."

"What's the greatest danger out there, Joanna?"

"Steve, frostbite is a big danger, the residents are in all forms of dress. Some are in nightgowns, some have no slippers on. A community bus just got here and they're being kept warm temporarily. But some of them were out in the freezing weather for almost twenty minutes before help arrived."

"Joanna James, live at the scene. We'll be checking back with your in a few minutes..."

Mark was fully awake now and sitting at the edge of the bed next to me. He put his arm around me to keep me from shaking, but I couldn't stop. He turned the TV off.

"I'm going to help, Amy," Mark said.

I nodded my head. I knew it was the right thing to do and I'd help too if I wasn't eight and a half months pregnant.

"If you see dad," I began...

Mark assured me that my dad wouldn't be there. He was retiring in two weeks. They probably had him busy at the station, helping coordinate the network of fire fighters.

"I'll make a thermos of coffee for you and some sandwiches," I told Mark.

"Just make coffee while I shave," he said.

Mark left at 9 o'clock.

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