A House on Fire
Fire is a good servant but a bad
master. Like all other accidents, fire accidents also usually take place
because of some human failure. The result is, however, disastrous. Fire spreads
quickly and can cause huge loss to life and property. A terrible fire accident
took place in my neighbourhood last week.
It was midnight. I was having a
sound sleep on the roof of the house. Suddenly, I head the cries, "Fire!
Fire!" At first, I thought I was only dreaming. But soon I heard a loud
noise and the sound of heavy footsteps in the street. I stood up from my bed
and looked around. It did not take me much time in realizing that the house of
a wealthy merchant some seven or eight houses away was on fire as the sky was
all lit with flames and fiery sparks.
I scampered downstairs in no time
and rushed to the venue of the fire. The shining, sharp-tongued flames were
bursting out of every nook and corner of the palatial house. The owners were on
the street. They were beating their breasts helplessly. Their half-burnt
household articles were lying scattered here and there. A large crowd of people
had gathered there. Some were bringing buckets full of water and sand.The
others were emptying the same on flames, but in vain.
It was discovered that the little
child of the merchant was left in the house. The child's mother Was trying to
rush towards the burning house and the people were holding her back.
Spontaneously I rushed inside the house at great risk of my life and brought
the child unharmed in my arms. I got some burns which were later cured in a
hospital. All the people held their breath. The child's mother sobbed and
hugged the baby. She kissed my forehead, saying,"My son!" She could
not even utter words to thank me:
Meanwhile two firebrigade engines
arrived and brought the fire under control in about an hour. The adjoining
houses were fortunately saved. Loss to property was estimated at four lakhs,
but thank God, there was no loss of life.
It was then learnt that the
embers left burning in the hearth which was placed in the courtyard had caused
the fire, the softly blowing wind having further fanned it.
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