This is what I saw when I noticed a strange orange light coming through our bedroom window at 1:00am this morning.
Someone set the building across the street from us on fire. Our neighbors who live below us saw a couple of men running away from the scene just shortly before they noticed the flames. There have been quite a few fires like this in Berlin. Most people say it's because the owners can't rent or sell the buildings, so they have someone set them on fire to collect the insurance money.
Everyone from the neighborhood came out into the street to witness it. It was strangely amazing and mesmerizing... and scary. It was ten yards from our house. A little too close to home, I'd say.
The fire department here did a great job though. But they've had lots of practice lately. The worst part was the fact that they were out there until 5:00am. We didn't get much sleep. Fighting fires is quite noisy.
The fire was so strong, we could feel the heat from where we were standing on our porch.
And this is the aftermath. Quite attractive, don't you think? It'll probably sit there like that for the next two years. There are quite a few of them scattered around Berlin. And this is why we won't be purchasing a house while we are here. There's just no market here to sell your property (unless you are willing to wait years) and I really didn't want to have to resort to arson.Luckily, Brendan slept through the whole thing.
Oh my gosh. Come back here and play with me instead of watching your neighbors' homes burn down! My new upstairs neighbor is named Valerie and it makes me nostalgic. What are your plans? I want to call you and get the low-down. Blogging just isn't enough, my sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteYikes. I hate not getting sleep. You should have yelled at the firefighters to keep it quiet.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, though. That would be kinda cary to watch a house burn right next to yours.
Nice photography, though.