My families adventure on the road to oz via Germany

OMG lucky to get out alive

Last night we had yet another thunder and lightening storm, this time it had far reaching consequences.

Some time just before midnight V and I were woken up by a loud clap(and scared the living day lights out of us) and thunder immediatly followed by lightening then we heard an explosion, intially we thought it was just our imagination playing tricks with us. Any how not able to sleep and hearing another loud bang we got up, i got smell smoke V couldn't we checked the house and nothing. then we noticed what we thought was constant lightening. after opening the sky light we saw flames and smoke on a house 4 doors away. Luckily the German fire brigade were already there. V got dressed to make sure our car was not in the way.

When he came back he told me that a house had been struck by lightening on the roof. This is where it get scary as all the master bedrooms in our estate are in the attic. OMG there were 2 fire engines with the cranes extended up at roof level 6 in total down our street . By this time people were out in the street praying that occupants were ok. A big cheer erupted when we saw a man being led out with his dog. Rather shaken but uninjured.Then the crowd got worried when they saw a stretcher going in and coming out with a blanket covering something. It went deathly quiet every one fearing the worst. A huge sigh of relief was heard when the blanket was uncovered and it was just some equipment being moved out of the house. 

By some miracle the mans wife and children were away in the UK other wise it could have been much worse. It has rained all night and in the light its very easy to see the damage to the roof line. The houses are in a terrace format so the house next door has had to be evacuated and the other house joined on is our friends who thankfully are in the UK also.

It has certainly got the whole estate concerned as there is no escape from the roof, we have a velux window in our room that opens up but no ladders or anything to help aid escape. Jumping 3 storeys does not appeal to me.

This morning it was a very nervous estate. None of us slept much it was after 2 this morning before the last of the flames were put out and the fire brigade left the scene.

As an army community we will rally round and help the unfortunate family with clearing the house and moving the furniture out as the house will be no longer habitbal until repairs and an investigation is done.

What worries us is it could have been worse and none of us could have helped if the man had been trapped in his bedroom. Luckily for him he was not asleep when it happened and escaped.

Untitled Comment

04:18, Thu 5 June 2008 .. Posted by herrchook

OMG, that was a really close shave. Hope your neighbour's house isn't too badly damaged, and that he gets back home soon.