This is the site that greeted me and Radley on our walk this morning.
Just a few hours ago that smoking pile of rubble was a multi-million dollar home. It towered over the block complete with third story porches and turrets. It had a four car garage with a garage apartment.
Word right now is the guy who lived in the apartment got out all right. But the old woman who lived in the house in unaccounted for. I hope it turns out she was visiting relatives.
As you can see -- despite the poor zoom on the Flip Cam -- the house is completely gone.
I was struck by a handful of images:
The tired firefighters, crossing the street to get coffee and water. Their clothes, arms and faces covered in soot.
The lookyloo mother smiling and pointing out the smoldering ruins to her three kids, treating it like a trip to the penguin exhibit at the zoo.
And weirdly, one lone potted plant. You can just make it out at the end of video. It's center frame, highlighted by the white smoke billowing behind it. Not only did the flower pot survive, the flower survived. It's bright red petals a stark contrast to the blackened wood and swirling smoke. How strange that it should be surrounded by devastation and yet remain untouched.
If I was a glass half full kind of guy I'd take that as a sign the old lady is safe.
For more on the story, the Houston Chronicle has pictures. And the local CBS affiliate has what little info is currently available.
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