Little Fork VFD averted tragedy with shed fire

Jennifer Witteborg
Published: November 8, 2008

This week, I had some stomach-churning realizations.

My husband, trying to prove he does listen to his wise wife (me!), went ahead with my idea to burn down our old shed behind our house. It took a while to burn. But once he and the boys pried off some outside planks, the fire got big.

Big, as in four times the height of the shed with no sign of it taming down. The wind seemed to be kicking it up. Our garden hose suddenly looked like a toy watering can. The grass was burning, the sparks were blowing into the trees 80 feet away, and you could feel the heat through the screen door since our house is a mere 50 feet away.

We called 911. The Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue came. They conquered the fire, assured us of their willingness to be there in the first place and gave us tips on burning sheds down next time.

My stomach-churning realizations are: My husband shouldn’t always listen to me, as I am not always wise; fire gets big fast and garden hoses are paltry weapons against fires; and most important: We can’t live without people like the Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue folks.

Sure, I have received the mass mailing letter asking for a donation to these same people. I think we’ve donated a tiny bit once.

Tomorrow, I am heading over to donate a bigger check with a heart filled with gratefulness.

Thank you Little Fork Volunteer Fire and Rescue folks! We so appreciate you.

Jennifer Witteborg
Rixeyville