The unimaginable happened... our place burned down and all my animals are dead. :(

I will keep this very brief.

Jer and I woke up this morning and our back balcony was in flames. We had time to get out but all my animals are dead.

Jerome grabbed Stanley, the hairless rat that sleeps in our room, but he is the only one we were able to save.

We have lost everything. We are at our friends' house, Coll and June, and just trying to figure out what to do.

Another few minutes and we would not have gotten out. As we were running out the back windows were exploding in and the place was filing with smoke and flames.

As we left I could hear the firetrucks coming and thought that maybe the animals would be OK. They are in the middle bedroom. But by the time we decided to walk over here (Colleen and June only live a few blocks away) 9 units were up in flames.

At that point we realized there was no point. So we just left. Two shoeless guys wandering down the road with a rat cage in tow.

I cannot process it, and I am shocked. I just really needed to talk to *snake people* for a minute. If I start thinking about it I know I will collapse and I cannot afford that right now. All my beautiful gentle babes are gone.

But we are fine, and we are alive, and for that I feel so blessed right now.

Updates as I can afford it.

Think a positive thought for us if you find time.

Thanks for reading.
Bruce

So sorry to hear about your loss. I'm sure the grief you're going through is terrible, but you're alive. As with any tragedy, it will get better over time.

Keep strong, and try to stay positive,

Jeff

I am so so sorry for your losses. I will keep you in my prayers. With your permission I would like to add you to my prayer chain. I can't even imagine what you must be going through right now. Know that you are in my thoughts and that you have my deepest sympathy.

Oh gosh I am so so sorry for you guys. I can,t imagne how you must feel right now. I hope you two can get back on your feet quickly. I know that the sadness over losing your pets will take time to heal though. ((hugs)) to Bruce and Jer

:tears: Oh Bruce I am so sorry! :tears: :tears: We will keep you & Jerome in our prayers.

Very sorry to hear about your animals and your home Bruce, but at least you and Jerome were able to get out unharmed. That is the most important thing.

Bruce, I'm so very sorry to hear of this! I'm glad to hear that you and Jerome got out without injury though. Homes can be rebuilt, and though the animals can't ever be completely "replaced", that pain will fade and in time, your non-human family will become strong again.

Take some time to take care of Jerome and yourself.

~Bruce (the other one.)

This is terrible news Bruce! I as well as everyone else is surely happy you made it out ok.

I feel so sad for what your going through with your animals, I can only imagine.

I think were all a good community, come back and let it out if you need to, we'll be here for you.

Holy crap Bruce I'm so sorry to hear about this.

I hope you'll be OK, my friend.

I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Oh Bruce I am so sorry to read about your loss. You and Jerome will be in my thoughts and prayers. As was stated, the most important thing is that you both are alive. Please keep us updated. :hugs:

Oh my gosh Bruce. I can't begin to tell you how sad this makes me. You will be in my thoughts. I don't know what to say. I'm here for you friend.

Bruce.

I am so sorry. I have no idea what else to say. I am so glad you and Jerome got out alright. Bruce, you have helped me in so many ways, if there is ANYTHING I can do for you let me know. I am so sorry man.

May you find comfort in your blessings or friends and family to help you get through this. You are lucky to have Jerome with you and I know you guys will make it through it together.

So sorry Bruce. I know words can't begin to say how painful your loss is.
I'm so glad that you and Jerome are safe. I am sending healing thoughts your way.

Bruce my friend you two are in my prayers. I'm very sorry to hear about your loss'. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Im sooo sorry Bruce, I really hope that you get through this ok. Im at a lost for words.

Bruce,
That is horrible. You have now lived through my worst nightmare. I literrally have nightmares of my snake buildings burning, and don't know what I would do. You guys are in our prayers, and hopefully you can get back to normal living very soon, and this will be the past and not the present.

In one hour the building will be secured and we can do a walk through. I do not know how I am going to open that door if it is still intact.

I went back and tried to get someone to talk to me but it is chaos. The fire started beneath us and at this point there are about 5-6 triplexes gone... I can see in our front window, but the apts are either side of us had their front windows blown out by flames.

I feel the heaviest feeling in my heart that I have ever known.

If nothing else I need to be able to get in there so I can euthanize any of my babes that are alive but not gonna make it. No one could tell me the probability, but the fire tore through the apt below, and the one man that talked to my friend Coll said that the heat alone would hot box that room and that if they did not burn they would have cooked.

I am just stunned and I do not know what to do right now.

Bruce....I have no clue what to say? ...I have read many of your posts and you are a good person who does not deserve this. I am happy you are safe.

Thoughts and prayers. :please:

I can't even imagine your loss. You are in my prayers.

Bruce, words escape me right now. I sit hear with tears running down my face feeling helpless in what I can do to help. My prayers are with you and Jerome.

Bruce, I am so torn and very sad to read about this tragedy. I feel only a fraction of the grief you do...

I have the worst fears about losing my pets to a fire, I cannot give you any words of comfort because I am literally shaken to my core.

I am praying for you as I type this, but I feel so helpless, I wish I could be there to comfort you. :rainon:

Bruce, my dear friend, Mike and I are just heartbroken for you both. On one hand it's a blessing you and Jer got out uninjured but this loss of your snakes - it's all our worst nightmares. I've sent you a PM and left you a voicemail, though I'm not sure if you managed to get your cell phone when you ran from your home. You have my number, please call, call collect, just call when you feel ready any time night or day so I can hear your voice and send our love to you.

Mike and I so wish we could be there to go through that door with you Bruce but please know the hearts and thoughts of our family are with you and Jerome.

wow bruce,i dont know what to say,i am VERY sorry for your loss,and if there is anything i can do,please let me know

Bruce so sorry to hear this :(

Bruce,

You and yours are in my heart. Please don't hesitate to keep us updated, and please let us know what we can do to help, if anything.

I am so sorry that this happened to you.

Bruce you know you have Liza and my prayers please keep in mind how many people here have you and your in their hearts.

Bruce......there aren't words, I feel so bad for you guys.

There are no "at leasts" at this point but at least you two got out and have eachother for support.

I'm really sorry for your loss.

Wes

oh Bruce, I'm so very sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry to hear about this Bruce. This really hits home with me as I had a house fire a few years back and was burned on over 50% of my body and almost died in the burn center. I tried to save as many of my animals as I could until one big explosion blew the fire on me as i was standing in front of it. Luckily i was the only one home at the time and no one else was hurt. Anyways, your story really hit home with me and I am VERY happy to hear you and Jerome are okay. You and Jerome will be in my prayers and may God bless and watch over you and your family in your time of need. I don't know what I could do for you to help you but if you can think of anything at all I could do to help please don't hesitate to PM me!!!! Again, you and your family are in my prayers, may God bless you and your family and i am very sorry this happened to you!!!!

i'm sorry. Please keep your head up. We are all family and everyone is here for you. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers.

Bruce, my friend I am soo sorry this happened to you, it brings tears to my eyes and pain in my heart. My thoughts go out to you and Jer today and the days to come.

Bruce,
I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. Please stay safe. Words fail me, I am so sorry.

Bruce,
Good God, I am so sorry to hear this. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are for you.
Sandy

WHAT?! Oh Bruce, I am in tears for you right now. I can't imagine the deep grief you must be feeling. My heart hurts for your babies you've lost.

Sending calming energies for you and Jer to help you through this tough time. I'm here if you need to talk..

Hugs and squishes.

I can't even imagine...I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. That is so rough...Know you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Bruce, I'm really sorry man... You've got a strong community behind you. Just ask for help if you need it... :please:

Bruce...everything that I can think of saying has already been said.

You dont deserve this...I can think of ten other people off the top of my head that DESERVE this...but not you.....no, not you.

I cannot even begin to know how you feel, what you feel, where you feel it....

But I can tell you, that you are among good friends here.

And I know Cali is far away...but I gots two couches for you!!!

your welcome to orlando anytime my brothers,,but only if you promise to take a snake home with you:)

Bruce,

My heart is broken for you and your situation, but yes, you are alive, and you are okay.

Know that in your rebuilding process you have the support of all of your forum friends here, and if you need anything, you know you can count on us.

I will help you rebuild what you lost, if you will let me.

I know it is a small consolation, but I also know you spent a lot of time and effort raising your babies...

Let me know if there is anything I can do, physically or just a helping ear...

-H

Holy lord this breaks my heart.

I'm so, so sorry this happened to you.

Bruce, I don't even know what to say. Except I am sorry. I too have been through a house fire. Its the most gut wrenching thing, and I am sorry you have to go through it.

You have a huge community of support here, and like others said if you need anything just ask. As hard as it is, try hold your head up.

I'm sorry to hear this Bruce. Keep safe and take care of yourselves. :(

I don't think I can say anything other than what has been said already :( I'm so, so sorry. I don't know you personally, but you've been a wonderful presence here and no one deserves to have to go through something like this. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

Bruce though I've never met you in person I always get a kick out of your posts and enjoy your viewpoints and your animals.Theres not really anything that I can say to make you feel better but I cannot even imagine the anguish you are feeling right now.I am very happy you guys made it out ok and THAT is what is important.You can never replace those animals that you lost but you can always rebuild... You have a strong community behind you that I'm sure would be willing to contribute.So if you need anything don't be ashamed just ask.

Oh man This is some really horrible news. I wish there were something I could do. Maybe all of us Bp.netters can donate a little to help get you back on your feet. I am not sure as to how to set something like that up but its an idea.

Bruce and Jerome, I am so sorry. Much much sympathy and support. If you need anything, please ask. Maybe the group of us could rally and send things... at any rate, if any tangible help is needed, speak. And for the time being, know that you have the thoughts and support of me and of many here.

Bruce,

Words escape me after reading that, I'm truly sorry; you will be in my heart and thoughts. Be strong my friend...

We just got back AGAIN. We still cannot get in. I cannot get anyone to listen, or to check. If I said I had dogs up there I know I would get attention.

I have posted on Reptiles Canada hoping for foster homes, but I do not think there will be any need at this point.

We have a small dog there that tried to chew her way out of the building and lost all her teeth in the process. We are focused on finding her a foster home. She was the dog of the man that started the fire.

He killed my animals, he does not get his back.

This poor dog is terribly neglected and I will be damned if I hand her back to this man.

I am angry and grieving. But we have great friends and we are blessed to have had so many people pull together to help us immediately.

It is 1 am right now, and we ran out the front door a few minutes after 7am. I dread what the next few days will look like. I am weak at the thought.

Thanks for the kind words and the support. I really did need to talk to snake people right now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruce Whitehead

We just got back AGAIN. We still cannot get in. I cannot get anyone to listen, or to check. If I said I had dogs up there I know I would get attention.

I have posted on Reptiles Canada hoping for foster homes, but I do not think there will be any need at this point.

We have a small dog there that tried to chew her way out of the building and lost all her teeth in the process. We are focused on finding her a foster home. She was the dog of the man that started the fire.

He killed my animals, he does not get his back.

This poor dog is terribly neglected and I will be damned if I hand her back to this man.

I am angry and grieving. But we have great friends and we are blessed to have had so many people pull together to help us immediately.

It is 1 am right now, and we ran out the front door a few minutes after 7am. I dread what the next few days will look like. I am weak at the thought.

Thanks for the kind words and the support. I really did need to talk to snake people right now.

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Bro we are here for you ;)

Thoughts and Prayers from the Fat Boy Family. Anyway we can help, just ask.