THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 2, 1994 TAG: 9412010191
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Our fire company was sent to the explosions and double house fires on Elon Drive in Virginia Beach Nov. 7. We had our hands full with not one but two working fires and the possibility of another victim. To make matters worse, the young boy who was badly burned passed away a few moments after our arrival. This is always hard on us.
We had fire equipment and hose blocking almost the entire street, and we were in the adjoining neighbors' yards. The inconvenience must have been great. Instead of hearing complaints and people stopping us to ask when we would be moving our trucks so they could get out, or people asking us not to cross their property, we were greeted with iced tea, coffee and cold water. This continued throughout the evening until the last unit cleared the scene.
The neighborhood seemed to pull together and met this tragedy head-on as a single unit. As we worked on one side of the yellow ``Do Not Cross Fire Line,'' they worked on the other, attempting to make sure we had plenty to drink and offering words of encouragement.
I've never experienced anything quite like this in my career as a firefighter. I was deeply touched and my heart was warmed. It helps us, the firefighters, to carry on in such trying circumstances.
Many thanks to all of you.
A special thanks to the wonderful woman and her daughter who returned with the fresh pot of coffee and made sure I got a cup. Earlier, they had run out just before I was able to get some, and they promised to return with more. They found me in the crowd and poured me a cup. It was the best I've ever had. I'll always remember you.
Memories of this incident will be forgotten in time, but the kind acts of these neighbors will remain with me forever.
The entire shift sends its thanks also.
David E. Ford
Master firefighter
Company 8 ``B'' Shift
Virginia Beach Fire Department
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT
by CNB