Fire in Listowel on St. Patrick's Day
I was awake for hours last night thinking about the fire in Listowel that took the lives of fire fighters: Raymond Walter and Kenneth Rae.
The Dollarstop store was a blaze for a good portion of yesterday March 17th. Investigations are underway. However, I have seen pictures of the damage (http://twitpic.com/4ase45) and this tragedy is all over the news.
It is not so much that there was a fire yesterday that kept me awake. It was the fact that Ray, one of the fire fighters was a friend of Mandy and Jason's (my sister and brother in law). Ray was also my brother's age.
In a small town everyone is close and linked in some way.
I am saddened for the families and friends of both of these men, and I am sad for my hometown as they begin to mourn.
All this took place during Paddyfest; Listowel's St. Patrick's Day annual festival. Normally the happiest time for the town, full of events, dances, parades and good times.
I am taken back to when Mandy and Jason had their fire years ago and am happy that nothing this tragic happened when their apartment was a blaze.
I am extremely sad and exhausted from my thoughts around this tragic event. I can only imagine the thoughts of those who still live in the town and those that were closest to these men.
My sympathies, and prayers go out to them.