Gone (Deeper)

As we first watched smoke curling up around the eaves of the roof and shredding against the tall pine trees nearby, that girl and I thought it strange that the area around the burning home across the lake was not a hub of activity.  “Do you think we should call 911?” she asked.

“I think I see a little activity there,” I responded.  “Something is going on.”

By the time all the long shadows had merged around us and the sun had sliced down through the Rocky Mountains to the west, I began to wonder if anyone was paying attention to the fire.  There was something odd about the quiet around the burning house.  I eventually called 911 and was assured someone was on scene.  Just before full darkness, a Sheriff’s boat glided down through calm lake water and stopped at mid-lake a distance from the scene.  Not long after, the house exploded into full flames.

According the Independent Record, our local newspaper, a great deal occurred at the home.  Apparently, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to investigate an erratic driver complaint, which eventually led them to the home across the lake from us.  The male driver of the vehicle broke into the house (the residents were not home) and then called dispatch to tell the officers on scene that he intended to put a propane tank into the oven.

Not long after the man called dispatch, smoke appeared.  For fear of an explosion, the responders all held back.  They held back for most of the night.  Firefighters sprayed water around the home to keep the fire from spreading as the home collapse into the flames.

Firefighters continued spraying water across the smoldering heap yesterday trying to cool down the wreckage.  As of this morning, I have seen no news that a body has been recovered.

The quiet that continues to reach our side of the lake is the eerie thing.

--Mitchell Hegman