HUGE FIRE at Queen of Poop's Condo

[Catty1]

No one hurt. A number of pets were saved by police and firefighters. QOP said her side was unaffected, but her cats are inside. No power or water. She texted me and said she will know in an hour if she can go home.

She wants to be back inside with Cali and Diego...and needs a lot of Kleenex. I asked where she was, and she said it was too far for me to drive. :(

She is contacting one friend, and I told her to contact me if the friend wouldn't show, and I would come down there.

She hasn't eaten; with her digestive condition, the food there would make her horrendously ill. She is terrified...wants her kitties, needs tons of Kleenex.

http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/03/18/13279316.html#/news/alberta/2010/03/18/pf-13278506.html
http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/?src=http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/03/18/al_fire.jpg&size=640x480&quality=90

http://storage.canoe.ca/v1/dynamic_resize/?src=http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/03/18/Fire018.JPG&size=640x432&quality=90

[Alysser]

I am so sorry to hear this. :( I will definitely kepe her in my thoughts. :love:

[cassiesmom]

Oh, my goodness. This she definitely doesn't need. I hope she can get in, get Cali and Diego out, and find somewhere safe to stay. Big, big prayers for Q of P!


And a candle
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/message.cfm?l=eng&cid=10420331

[chocolatepuppy]

How awful.:( Prayers headed out to Gayle. Hopefully she'll be back with her kittys soon.

[Taz_Zoee]

OMG NO!! I am in tears. All I can do is send moral support from over here in California. :(
I am glad her and the kitties are okay and I hope they will be reunited soon.

[Catty1]

She said her side is not affected...but no one was allowed to bring their pets with them. She wants to go home, be with her kitties, and have the power and water working.

Pinot's Mom and her hubby were up here visiting recently and we all got together. I PM'd her and she is going to call Gayle.

Many pets were rescued. Prayers that all are fine.:love:

[wombat2u2004]

Geez, I'm glad the fire never made it to QOP's.
Do they know yet how it started ???

[Pinot's Mom]

I got voice mail from QoP's phone - I'll post if I hear anything...:(

[Catty1]

The fire started on the roof. No reason known yet. The weather has been cool and quite windy, but no storms or anything.

The building codes in Calgary are interesting.

Because of the demand for development and money, the former 3-storey limit on wood frame buildings was raised to 5.

:mad:

Which this is.

We had a similar horrid fire in Erlton several years ago - the place was still under construction.

You'd think the City would learn....:mad:

[Karen]

Tell Gayle we are thinking of her! She'll be in our prayers.

[Catty1]

Copied from General:


She was just in touch...hopefully will be in in about 20 minutes, and tend to kitties, and then post on here. She is ok, but will be having a huge cry when she gets in. Can just imagine holding it together since 2 pm or so...she was so glad to hear about all the thoughts and wishes for her on PT.

[caseysmom]

So scary I am so happy her and the furkids are okay.

[Catty1]

11:04 pm MST - Gayle says they are going home, but it will take some time as they are escorting each unit's occupants individually.

She said she would check in here once she is settled...I am falling asleep at the keyboard here and have to go.

I think she will be so glad to see PT was thinking of her. :love:

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this.:( I'm glad that her unit wasn't affected and that her kitties are safe. Gayle, I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Queen of Poop]

I'M HOME!!!!!

Cali and Diego don't seem to have any issues. They've eaten and are now washing up. I on the other hand am a wreck. Now that I'm home I can't stop crying. I thank whoever upstairs was watching and saved my building and my kitties. Many others aren't so fortunate.

My mom phoned me at 1 pm and told me of the fire. I got sent home in a cab by my company. I ended up on a bus and taken to a local church. I think everyone there knew I wanted back to get the kitties!! I was very vocal about wanting them protected and saved.

I met an Australian woman there. She'd moved into suite 408 of building 23 a month ago, she had no insurance, procrastinated too long. She has lost everything. The 4th floor of building 23 does not exist, neither does the 3rd. The building is not going to be reoccupied, it will have to be torn down. People may not even get to see if they have any belongings left.

All this might have been started by a propane bbq left turned on. It was on the west side of the building. With today's winds the flame was blown into the roof, the bbq was on the 4th floor, and so the fire began. This was speculation by police and people at the church.

I can't get to the parking garage tonight to check on my truck, I hope it's ok. Might have gotten wet.

[Queen of Poop]

Thank you everyone for your good thoughts and prayers.

And to whomever upstairs is pulling the strings, I've had enough. I can't take any more of the if this doesn't kill you it will make you stronger stuff.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Gayle, I'm glad to hear that you're home now and that your cats are doing well.:) I'm sure you're still in shock and it'll take you a while to calm down. I know that I'd be feeling this way. You've been through too much stress lately so I hope that this will be the end of that. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care. (((HUGS)))


I live in a condo complex that has 4 large buildings and each building has 3 floors. I live on the second floor. When I first moved here we were allowed to have grills on our balconies but now we can't due to fire insurance. I'm actually glad now that we can't because they do cause a lot of fires. We do have access to some grills that are in the common grassy area though. My roommates old apt. complex also caught on fire a few years ago and they suspect that it was caused by a grill that was left unattended. I think it's a law now that in Santa Clara County that you can't have a grill on your balcony in an apt. complex or condo but I'm not sure how often this is enforced.

[Lilith Cherry]

Gayle, we are all thinking of you and sending prayers and good wishes your way. I hope your truck is not waterlogged and that your apartment will have power and water asap! Big hugs to you and the pussies!:love:

[Queen of Poop]

Way too much stress for me lately. I just can't take any more.

We have power, gas, water, everything we need now.

Now if I could just figure out how I'm supposed to sleep.

[orangemm]

Prayers and ((((hugs)))) going out to you. What a terrifying experience you have gone through. :( Thank goodness you and the furbabies are all right.

Please take care; we are here for you................:love::love:

[wombat2u2004]

Well mate, we are all glad that you and the kitties are ok.;)

[Killearn Kitties]

I'm very glad that you and the kitties are safe, and at least the kitties don't seem any the worse! I hope that truck turns out to be OK too. Many thoughts will be with you today.

[Anikaca77]

I'm so glad your kitties and you are ok. That would be so scary and that's my worst fear for sure.

My prays are with you, you have been dealing with so much already I hope you were able to get some rest or are getting some rest now.

Take care and my prays are with you,
Melissa

[robinh]

And so glad to hear you are OK! How frightening for you and the furbabies.

[Queen of Poop]

Thanks again everyone. We're up early, it's snowing. I feel badly for the firemen who had to continue to put out hot spots last night. They're to test the fire alarm in our building later this morning. I hope to get to attend the parking garage later to see if my truck got "wet".

Kitties seem to be really jumpy. Any little noise and they jump, then freeze. We'll have a few days to get them settled down.

[Queen of Poop]

Candace, wanted to thank you for posting the info and for chatting with me while I sat waiting and wondering at the church last night.

Maggie, I'm sorry I couldn't answer my phone when you called. At that time we were being give an update.

[Laura's Babies]

OMG! That had to be terrifying for you! I would be a complete basket case.. Heck, I was crying until I got to your posts and saw you and your babies were back together and everyone is alright. PHEW! I am SO glad!

[Medusa]

I'm just now seeing this, Gayle. What an ordeal! I'm so sorry that all this has happened but at least you and your furkids are safe, so there's something for which to be thankful. I do hope that the kitties are calmer now and that you are, too. Keep the faythe. :love:

[Pinot's Mom]

Maggie, I'm sorry I couldn't answer my phone when you called. At that time we were being give an update.

That's OK - just good to know you're all (physically) OK. Let me know if I can do anything.

[Catherinedana]

Just checking PT since yesterday and saw this post! Gayle, I'm so glad that you and your babies are ok. Give yourselves time to calm down and you will be ok - you can see that you have all the love and support of the PT folks with you . . . :love:

Cathy

[pomtzu]

What a horrible ordeal to have to go thru, but thankfully, you and the kitties are all okay.

Sending good vibes your way.


And just a note - grills are not allowed on patios at any apartment or condo complexes around here - for that very reason.

[Grace]

I'm so glad you and your kitties are safe, Gayle. What a horrific experience - not knowing exactly what was going on.

[Queen of Poop]

Thanks everyone. Still trying to calm down. Watching the news for updates on the fire, the cause and what happens now. In about half an hour there should be a fire alarm test in my building. It was not working overnight so they had people walking the halls all night just in case. I expect the kitties to be bothered by the noise. They're skittish and clingy this morning. Both are napping in their favorite spots right now. Diego especially has been all over me this morning. After the alarm test I'm going to go to the basement and check out my truck, heard it got wet down there, and make sure all is ok. The stress is overwhelming, but I'm lucky, I still have my pets and a home. Some pets perished in building 23 yesterday and over 300 people are now homeless. The building will be torn down as it is too damaged to be fixed. I have random crying episodes this morning, I expect to have that happen most of today.

Thanks again to all of my wonderful pet talk family. Where some of my friends failed me yesterday you all were here and tremendously supportive. I hope this is the end of the drama in my life. I've had about enough!
:love::love::love: you all!!!!

[Taz_Zoee]

Gayle, I am so glad you are home and safe with your babies. I am in tears about the other pets that didn't make it and the other people who lost their homes. :(

I imagine it will take several days for you and the "kids" to settle down from this ordeal. So I am sending you hugs and the kitties pets from Cali.

[Shelteez2]

Oh Gayle I had no idea that's where you were living. I'm so glad you are okay and your kitties are okay.
I was watching the whole thing on the news with shock and horror.
I am not far from you, so if you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I will PM you my number.
((hugs)) to you and your kitties.

[Catty1]

Hugs...sending gentle waves of comforting warmth your way.

shelteez - I thought of you, not sure why I didn't try to reach you...but you are fairly close by. I hope you and Gayle get in touch too.

That is SO sad that pets were lost - that's more pain for the people that have lost so much already.:(

[Queen of Poop]

I was just reading an article. A guy tried to get his room mates cat out, had the cat in his arms but the cat got away from him. He had to get out and leave the cat behind. I pray that this kitty found a good place to hide and will be found this morning.

I'm so grateful that the kitties and I are ok and I feel so guilty at the same time for being ok while hundreds of people are now homeless and some pets lost their lives.

Just talked with the fire alarm dude. He's working very hard to get the system up and running again. He said there will be random testing going on once he gets it all set up. I thanked him for his hard work.

Can't seem to stop the tears. Cali's doing her best to entertain me though, playing with a mousie toy.

Thank you everyone for your support. Let's send good thoughts and prayers to the hundreds who are now homeless.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Bless your heart, I imagine you are still in shock over the entire thing!!! :love:

I am so glad you and your babies are ok. Give them each a kiss from me when you can. Lots of prayers and luvies to you all. :love::love::love:

[Queen of Poop]

On the noon news they said they'd found several small dogs!!! I'm so very glad. Perhaps there will be more found pets later today when they let some of the people go into their places to retrieve belongings. Praying hard for this to happen.

My kitties are hanging close to me. Diego is clearly messed up by this whole thing. He is momma's boy like never before. Cali, while not needing to be all over me is sticking pretty close. Neither has used the bedroom window cat bed today. I am glad to be home with them to provide them the love, comfort and support they so seem to need today.

[slick]

OMG, I'm speechless Gayle. :( I just don't know what to say expect to thank God you and your fubabies are alive and somewhat well. It will take a long time for the 3 of you to give over this. Prayers to you all and especially to those residents who are homeless and to the lost pets. :(:(

This sure brings life into perspective.

[Randi]

What a horrible experince, but I'm glad you and your kitties are safe and OK - well, more or less. Take care! :love:

[DJFyrewolf36]

I just saw this...:( Big *HUGS* to you and prayers on the way.

[Alysser]

Gayle, you're one of the strongest people I have ever had the pleasure of "meeting". Please stay strong. I am so glad you, Cali and Diego are okay!! :love::) I am sorry to hear about the 300 people who are homeless and lost their pets, that's awful. I can only imagine how gut-wrenching that is.

[phesina]

And to whomever upstairs is pulling the strings, I've had enough. I can't take any more of the if this doesn't kill you it will make you stronger stuff.

Gayle, you must be MIGHTY by now! Wonder Woman has nothing on you.

I am so glad you are back home with your babies and are safe and sound.

[Queen of Poop]

Thank you for the kind words. It's been a difficult afternoon of watching people carry boxes of their salvaged belongings. I just feel so bad for them all. I've also been a cat cushion for a good part of the afternoon. Both kitties have sought out momma's lap for a snuggle and snooze. They've also taken turns being "goofy" when I've been crying. Diego sat atop his cat box and fell off! Cali has been "killing" her mice.

I am so very grateful to be ok, to have my kitties be ok and to have all of you.:love::love:

[catmandu]

We are glad that You Diego and Cali are all right , and that your truck is too.
We also pray that your Insurance Company will not drag their feet settling up with you for having to find accomidations elsewhere.
:love::love:
Its wonderful that all are well and unhurt.
:love::love:

[Queen of Poop]

THEY ALL SURVIVED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND!!!!

There has been NO loss of life here in the fire. All the missing pets have been found. Including a great big hairy cat on the 4th floor!!!!! Shedding tears of joy!!

[Queen of Poop]

We are glad that You Diego and Cali are all right , and that your truck is too.
We also pray that your Insurance Company will not drag their feet settling up with you for having to find accomidations elsewhere.
:love::love:
Its wonderful that all are well and unhurt.
:love::love:

Thank you Gary. We were fortunate, our unit was not damaged.

[Catty1]

All the pets are fine!

How is your TRUCK? Looking for another miracle here!

[Queen of Poop]

I went downstairs this morning, there was water but not near my truck. It was sitting high and dry, just like it had been left. I feel very guilty coming thru this virtually unscathed. I feel so awful for those that lost their homes. I met a woman last night who is to get married tomorrow. She was on the 3rd floor of the building that burned. I hope she is able to salvage some of her wedding things today. I did see her fiance on tv with a box in hand so perhaps all was not lost.

[3Catcondo]

Thank goodness you and furkids are safe, and that there was no loss of human or animal life. I'm so glad that although people lost material things, they did not lose each other or their pets. Sending prayers to everyone affected by this terrible fire. May things return back to normal soon for everyone involved.

Amy

[gini]

Thank God that you and your kitties (and your truck) are alright.

What a draining event to go through - go easy on yourself - this has been a major emotional event.

[Roxyluvsme13]

I'm so glad everything is okay with you and your pets. You were very fortunate :).

[krazyaboutkatz]

THEY ALL SURVIVED AND HAVE BEEN FOUND!!!!

There has been NO loss of life here in the fire. All the missing pets have been found. Including a great big hairy cat on the 4th floor!!!!! Shedding tears of joy!!
This is wonderful news.:D I'm so sorry that there are so many homeless people though.:( I'm also glad to hear that your truck is fine.:) My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to you and your furkids. Please take care. (((HUGS)))

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I'm so sorry to hear about the fire in your building, but I'm glad that everyone is ok and that your unit is safe.

Doesn't it always seem like when it rains it pours? I hope some very good things will come your way soon.

[Marigold2]

How horrible, how frighening for all. So glad the pets are all safe. Blessings to you.