OMG - yesterday while preheating the oven for a pie, I noticed a little bit of smoke coming out of the back of the oven. Thinking it was no big deal - maybe something had spilled and was just burning off, I went upstairs to vacuum while it was preheating. Came back downstairs to smoke pouring out of the oven door and flames in the oven. Shut the oven off (it's gas), screamed for the kids to get out, and grabbed the fire ext., looked at the flames - said forget this and put down the fire ext. and grabbed the phone. So the WHOLE volunteer fire department came screaming down my little street complete with sirens and lights, tromped through the house with muddy boots, and opened the oven door to see that the fire had burned itself out. They were very nice about it, I was rather embarrassed. The GOOD thing about this is that my 6 yr old smoke detectors that are hard wired into the house did NOT go off - so the fire chief told me they may be defective (although they worked when he tested them 6 yrs ago). I never would have known if this hadn't happened.

Thankfully it was not serious and I can still cook today. I don't know what I would have done if the turkey had been in the oven.

and now the question - should I send some cookies or something down to the fire station as a thank you?

By Melana on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 08:32 am:

wow, that would be scary. I think cookies would be a great idea! Especially since there are guys there today that won't be home for Thanksgiving.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 09:02 am:

Wow, how scary! I'm glad it turned out okay. I don't think the firemen would turn down cookies!

By Kim on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 10:54 am:

Colette, I am glad it was not worse! Don't be embarrassed, it could have very well been much worse. I hope your kids weren't freaked out! I think the cookies would be a really nice thank you, especially for those who have to be on duty on the holiday!

By Insaneusmcwife on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 01:00 pm:

Oh My, I'm so glad it wasn't worse. Cookies are a wonderful idea. I'm sure any home cooking they can get would be greatly appreciated.

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, November 25, 2004 - 01:59 pm:

Glad everything is ok!! Cookies are a great idea, but depending on the size of the department they may not spend a whole bunch of time at the station. (some VFD keep low on site staff, and respond only by beeper.) Just call and check first.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 02:58 am:

Cookies are a great idea, but take Crystal's advice and see what the guys at the station think. Glad all was well - fires are so very scary.

By Fraggle on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 07:22 am:

How did your Thanksgiving go, Colette. By the way, you did the right thing. My daughter's school just had a visit from the fire department and they stressed to the kids to get out of the house if there is a fire. One woman just lost her life here in our town trying to put out a fire in her home. Did you end up sending something over to the fire department?

By Colette on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 12:43 pm:

Thanksgiving went well, thanks. I am exhausted though. I had company til 10a and I've got a second wave coming around 3-4p. The stove was fine. I did not bring the cookies down because they are on beeper and no one was there (at least no one seemed to be there), but my friend's dh is on the fire dept and I am going to ask him what a nice thing to do would be.

Hope you all have a great weekend.