Question here for the blogging public: Does a “five-alarm fire” mean that five fire engines show up? IF SO– there was a two-alarm fire just across the street from me this evening.

I was making myself dinner (a new and fascinating hobby- steak!) when I saw flashing red lights out of the corner of my eye. Something about the lights just struck pure terror in me; as in, ‘What’s wrong? Something is wrong.’ I looked out the window just to see the second fire engine show up and the firefighters start talking to the guy living across the street (the unit with the light on in my previous post). Some firefighters rushed into the building, and before long, I could see them steadying a ladder against the chimney of his building and then messing around up there (flashlights, spraying stuff, fans; firefighter stuff). My dog, cat, and I all crept upstairs quietly, turned the lights off, and looked down (for a better view) at the action below. The dog and cat both “stood” looking out- putting their front legs on the window sill for a better look outside… I wish I had a picture of it. :-)
Anyway, it was a simple chimney fire and the engines left after 45 minutes. Scary, nonetheless.