Fire fueled by spectators’ indecency

I live on Sweet Water Drive and was one of the people who were evacuated from my house when the fire broke out last Monday.

My heart goes out to all of those who lost their homes. I want to recognize all of the Boise Emergency personnel that were out here during this fire, you are my hero’s.

I also want to recognize Peter Ryder (the man who not only lost his house, but his wife as well). Less than 24 hours after this disaster he was at BSU telling students in his wife’s class that his wife had been killed in the fire. Peter is a very courageous individual and I hope that the community will really reach out to him to help him rebuild his life. Houses can be replaced, the 25 years of marriage that he shared with Mary Ellen cannot. I just can’t fathom such a tragic event happening in someone’s life.

To all the spectators who went out of their way to watch houses burn down and do not live in Columbia village – you suck. Yeah, fire is cool, I agree, that’s why I became a fire fighter a few years ago.

But to stand there and watch other people’s houses burn down … what the heck is wrong with you? I remember seeing tons of people on Federal Way all pulled over watching the fire. Some were clearly spectators, including three people drinking a beer while watching it. And also to the spectators who walked through the neighborhood after the fire (just to see the remains) you suck too. You’re showing my neighbors and me a complete lack of respect. You’re looking at homes that are no longer there; you are getting some kind of fix out of looking at their ashes.

The police have been patrolling this section of the neighborhood almost 24/7 to watch out for looters (a.k.a. the most worthless forms of life on Earth). I can’t believe people are stealing from the remains of someone’s burned down house.

But some humor is kicking around my section of the neighborhood. One guy who lost his house said, “Oh it’s no big deal, just throw a splash of paint on it and its as good as new.” This man’s house doesn’t even have a foundation.

Another guy said, “Wow, I hope this doesn’t lower the property value of my house,” his house was burned down as well.

I was so thankful to see my house still standing that night. As I was pulling away the first time (about 8 p.m.) an officer told me that Sweet Water Drive is gone, I’ll admit that I later broke down in tears. It was so sad to know that families were losing their homes … I will help rebuild my neighbor’s houses, you can count on that!

Terry Hurless is a senior majoring in marketing, general business management and human resource management.

TERRY HURLESS
Guest Opinion

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