Derek was sent to his room this morning but quickly popped out saying there was a weird smell in the room. I brushed him off until he insisted that I come see. With the neighbor's tragic experience earlier this year, I went into his room and smelled what I though was burning rubber. It was a really strong smell, I unplugged the extension cord used to run the fish tank, and quickly pulled Tammy in to smell it too. We both agreed that it was a really strong smell and seemed to be coming from the wall. I immediately called the non-emergency line to the firehouse to see if we should have them out (since there were no flames or smoke, I thought it didn't qualify for 911) and told the secretary the situation. She quickly asked a firefighter and then told me his response was that I needed to call 911.
Oh boy.
I called and the 911 operator said I needed to get all the people out of the house til the firefighters arrived. She was a little confused when I told her (in response to her questions) that there was no smoke, no fire, only a burning smell. Tammy was in the middle of decorating cakes and she refused to come outside at first, so I shepherded the kids down to the mailbox where we listened to the sirens of the firetrucks leaving the station just south of our neighborhood.
I was surprised to see three trucks arrive (including the Fire Marshall and assistant Fire Chief) and the firefighters were quick to go straight to the boys room. The smell had faded a bit and the firefighters quickly ruled out an electrical fire in the wall, thank heaven! When they plugged in the extension cord for the tank, the large light on top of the tank popped and a small light flickered under the edge. The firefighters didn't realize there was a tiny flame and I couldn't get the words out straight, but I pointed. They flipped the light over and there was a tiny flame! They were super chill about it and one firefighter unplugged the light while another pointed a heat measurement tool at the flame. The firefighters were so kind and supportive and insisted that I had done the right thing to call 911, even when I couldn't see a clear emergency, because that was the best and quickest way to get in touch with them. I appreciated their understanding and reassurance. The kids LOVED having the firefighters over and we were thrilled that the cause of the problem was found! God bless our firefighters and first responders!!
The kids were thrilled to see the fire trucks roll up!
The Fire Marshall rook pictures of the light for records and explained how the house did what it was built to do and protected the wiring, the extension cord and ultimately the house.
The firefighters were super chill and very kind
Corrosion. Crazy.
