Pretty unexpectedly, a computer on a ward I was on spontaneously caught fire. Thankfully, I was not near this computer. It was in the hallway and I was in a room. I ran out in time to witness a colleague spraying the flames using a fire extinguisher. It only took two squirts of it to avert the patients and staff from potential danger. That same colleague retold the story to us later - how she was just minding her business typing away on the keyboard, and the next thing she noticed was a funny burnt smell and seconds later, there were visible flames. She ran up and down the hallway for help before locating the right fire extinguisher for electrical fires and aiming it at the computer. Minutes later, the fire team arrived and the ward was on temporary lock down. Thank God the response was quick, it could have been much worse.
Coming back from work, I thought how funny it was that after those panic-stricken seconds, staff just returned back to their duties - it was business as usual. I went back to the computer preparing the list for the day, doctors were reviewing patients and nurses went back to their drug rounds completely unfazed. It was as if the fire didn't happen. At home the same day, I was watching the SuperBowl episode of the TV show, This is Us. Without giving too much away, in this particular episode, there was also a fire. A fire that changed the lives of the whole family. It was tragic, upsetting and emotional to watch.
Watching that reminded me of the Grenfell Fire that happened in this city a few months ago. Waking up to the news that day was a surreal experience. I remember thinking how could a whole tower block in one of the most modern cities in the world catch fire? In this country, there has always been an emphasis on fire safety. In my many accommodations, university and work building, we were always expected to know where the fire exits are. And random midnight fire drills became a norm. Dubious electrical appliances weren't allowed in certain buildings, and there are fire safety doors at every corner to keep potential fires contained. What the hell happened?
As the story slowly unfolded through traditional news outlets and angry social media, it became apparent that dangerous shortcuts were taken and as a result, many families tragically perished. A week after the fire, I made the journey to the building to witness it for myself. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. It was like I was on a movie set. From afar, the charred tower stood high in the skyline. Windows were burnt to a crisp and smoke was still visible, floating upwards to the clouds. The area surrounding it was closed off, but the road leading to the tower was filled with missing person posters. "Have you seen my grandfater?", "Finding mother of 4", "Missing baby" printed on sheets of A4 paper just lined every free gate, tree or lamp post. Each piece of paper represented a family torn by this tragedy. Death and loss was so palpable - it was absolutely overwhelming.
There is a church overlooking the tower. There, people left candles, letters and flowers. Prayers of every faith and non-faith were written and left on its steps as a vigil in memory for those who perished. It was there that I got on my knees, my eyes closed in prayer. I prayed for those whose lives were lost to be granted peace and sweetness of Heaven. And for those who have lost those they love to be granted patience and bravery through this thoughtless tragedy. May they be reunited once more, in a place fairer than here, in a place brighter than here and in a place filled with more love than here.
Fires, like death, knows no wealth or status. It is indiscriminate in its undertaking. It devours with great passion. And when big enough, it is frighteningly unstoppable. Makes me shudder to think that flames present on Earth, however tragic they may be, just represent a fraction of what makes up the fires of Hell. May we all be protected from experiencing anything closely resembling it, in this world and in the Hereafter. Ameen.
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