Devastation hits close to home!

Wow! What a morning it has been here!

For some reason I woke up at 5:15 am this morning. I think because our blinds were rattling and I went to close the window 'cause it was quite windy. As I was closing the window I looked outside and I saw this huge billowing tower of smoke. It was huge!!! And soooooo close to us! I could even see flames!! Now that freaked me out.

As I layed down again I wondered if it was the new commercial development with the grocery store, etc. that was burning. My curiousity got the better of me and I got up at 5:30am, dressed and went out for a walk to check it out.

As I was walking black debri was falling to the ground and I also saw what looked like little pieces of white paint (probably siding). I could see the flames shooting up high above the trees. It was a pretty scary sight. Sirens were constantly going off.

I decided to not go any closer as there was a lot of commotion and the smoke made it hard to breathe too.

I came home and put on the TV waiting to hear some news about this horrible thing. It turns out that it was a condo that was almost finished being built that caught on fire (still don't know how) and then 9 homes also burned to the ground (they were a row of town homes). In all there were over 70 homes that were damaged. Luckily no one was killed in this. But I just feel so sad for those families that have lost everything! Everything! It's just awful!! It's one of the biggest fires in Edmonton.
It really makes me think of what I would do if that happened to us. Of course, getting my family out would be the most important thing of all. I would probably try to get pictures out. Yes, I'd be so sad to lose all those scrapbook pages, but photos are 1 thing that just can't be replaced like furniture, clothing, etc., (which reminds me I should probably back up my photos again very soon).
I'm sure the community will be doing what we can for these families. I know I definitely want to help in any way.