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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Of fire and ice


Tonight, the tree house at Sprouffske Trees caught fire.

Uncle Johnie and Aunt Karen were coming home from dinner, following a long two-funeral weekend for the Sprouffske fam, to find flames spilling out.

Johnie and Karen immediately called 911, and SE Thurston Fire & EMS was en route. By the time we got there a few minutes later, it was about 28° and the fire was roaring through the attic of the tree house.

The tree house is where the trees are sold for the farm...and thankfully, no one was hurt in the blaze. There are a number of blessings from this -- the tree house was built from wood from the land probably 40-50 years ago which would be dry and old, there was a propane tank between the tree house and the house about 40 feet away, and huge nobles that were right behind it.

So lucky that the wood roof was replaced with a metal roof in the last year or so.

The tree house was the only thing that burned.


Just before the fire department arrived...


And as soon as SE Thurston Fire arrived, they surveyed the scene and got the fire under control quickly. Our community is so lucky to have them.




Putting out the last of the fires in the ceiling of the tree house...


It was so cold that the water from the new fire engine was instantly freezing on the ground. The temperature's supposed to drop another 10-12° into the night.


Surveying the damage after the fire was out...Uncle Jerry was ready to figure out what was needed to get up and running.


In true Sprouffske fashion...the tree farm will be open for business in the morning! Given the exceptionally low temperatures forecast for the week, don't be surprised to see sales from the doorway of an RV, with heat. :)

So if you haven't picked out your tree yet...know that the tree fields were undamaged in the fire...and you can come out any day until Christmas eve from 9-4. There will probably still be snow on the ground!

6 comments:

KCina said...

oh my gosh! I'm so glad nobody was hurt!!! Gads, not the way you wanna spend a Sunday night! Like you guys need anything else (beside baby Angus) happening before the end of the year.

Take care,
~ Kathy

Noreen said...

Wow! Shelley, thanks for always seeing the blessings even in challenging situations. It's a reminder to be joyful in all situations, even suffering. I am glad everyone is well and the beautiful trees are still ready to find their Christmas homes! I am so sorry for the family losses. It's so tough around the holidays, too. But Christmas brings us the Peace the world cannot give, and that's what I wish you all. Take care!

kilipohi said...

Oh my goodness! Thank God that no one got hurt. I will contine to keep your family in my prayers.

Danielle Hawes said...

Oh wow!! I am glad no one is hurt. I have so many memories of that farm!!

I was sad to not go there to get our tree this year, but Rainier is bit far from Portland!!

Jenn & Noah said...

We got a call about this and Noah had half a mind to go there with his gear but I wasn't thrilled about the idea with the icy roads so he stayed home. I wonder which guys were on shift last night?! :) Noah has a shift on Tuesday. Glad that everyone's OK and thanks for takin' pictures of it all! :)

Anonymous said...

OMG I am so sorry to hear that this happened, but soo thankful that no one was hurt, or rendered homeless. I love you and think of you quite often.....miss you!
Kat

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