It's better to get robbed than to have your house burn down.
One of the things that shocked us last night was burning down of my uncles house right here in our area, close to our own home, with only rice fields in between. I'd estimate the distance between us to be just 200 meters or more.
At exactly 9:30 PM, my sister-in-law messaged me saying that our uncles house was on fire. Everyone in our house immediately went outside to check, and this is what we saw. My husband rushed over there, bringing only a flashlight, hoping to help in any way he could.
Even if I wanted to go there, my son is already asleep and I'm pregnant, it's late at night, and there's nothing I could do to help anyway.
Actually, while we were inside the house, we heard some popping sounds, but we didn't pay them any mind, thinking they were just firecrackers (paputok) only to realize later that, at that very moment their house was already on fire.
The owner of that house is my uncle. His wife passed away during the pandemic due to diabetes. He has four children, all of whom have their own families and live far away from their father's house. It's a good thing, he was not at home when the fire broke out; because of an illness that prevents him from walking, he is currently staying at his daughter's house.
Everyone in our neighborhood even those who were drunk went over to help, including my own siblings. They also ask for help and called the fire department, but they got lost and couldn't even reach the site because the road leading here is too narrow; as a result, they weren't able to assist. They were too late and couldn't help anymore.
All the residents who responded worked together to douse the flames, drawing the water from a well using buckets, but it still wasn't enough the water eventually ran out. In the end, the entire house burned down.
Finally! The fire throughout the house has been extinguished.
This is what remains of my uncle's house—a place that was once full of joy and where all his children grew up now, it is nothing but ashes. It is truly heartbreaking and such a tragic loss. In fact, when he found out last night, he desperately wanted to go to his house even though he is unable to walk and he wept bitterly. Well, anyone who loses their home to a fire would be absolutely devastated, especially when there are so many belongings inside could not be saved.
Imagine, Everything you worked hard for and saved up for your house will just turn to ashes.
It is truly hereditary to see the house especially considering how deeply affected my uncle is by what happened. I hope he can get through this, and I hope many people reach out to help him, especially since he wasn't able to save any of his belongings.
All the pictures I used were sent to me by my sister and my cousin.
The lead image of this blog is edited on CHATGPT.