Scary morning nearby

While grabbing a second cup of coffee, we noticed what appeared to be heavy smoke in our neighbor's yard.  But why are they burning outdoors within city limits and so close to the house?

Uh, oh, wait, the back of their house is on fire!!  Quickly, call 9-1-1.

While speaking with the 9-1-1 call center I noticed that our neighbor was standing in their front yard and talking on her phone.  She had been in the house, but was safely outside.  Within seconds we began to hear the sirens.  But the fire would not wait.

 

Soon afterward both Pershing Ave. and the 1400 block of Oakland Ave. had been cordoned off by fire trucks and emergency vehicles.  The scene took on a surreal sense as the smoke thickened.

 

By about noon, three hours after the fire was first detected the final wisps of smoldering wood and siding were disappearing.  Fire fighters were evaluating what concluding steps needed to be taken to insure that the blaze was indeed extinguished.

How had the fire begun?  From our vantage it appeared to emerge from the back of the house and the kitchen area.  We feel deep dismay for the neighbors.  Also, we are grateful that a dangerous-looking fire was extinguished before McManus' garage or the house on the other side had caught fire.