Reality Check

[JBalsa]

I had a bit of a reality check today. It never seems that big of a deal until it hits close to home.  :-X

Earlier today, at about two PM, my Mom and I were watching the Olympics on TV. My Mom had finished her drink, and went to the kitchen. Immediately, she saw black smoke coming out of the air-conditioner in our back yard neighbours house. She called me over, and we both knew it.

I called 911 on my cell (It was the closest phone) and described the situation. My mom drove over to see if anyone was home, and if everything was Ok.

There was no response, only the barking of four dogs. Two managed to escape somehow, however the other two dogs whereabouts are unknown.

I managed to get the entire thing on Video Footage. Only a few snippets will be disclosed at this time.

Here is the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLpY77QyCok

I cannot help but feel a little suspicious. While I do feel for the family's loss, they weren't hanging out with the greatest crowd.

The children's mother was verbally abusive, and the father, By the looks of it, an alcoholic. (I say this because there was a seldom time I have seen him without a beer in his hands.

The residents of the house had moved in a couple of months earlier.

My prayers go out to their loss

-Jason

[WombatBoy]

Clearly I am missing something about the situation. Is the bad part the fire in the AC or is there something else that I'm unaware of? And since I'm obviously missing the whole picture of what happened what exactly did they lose? Is it the two dogs or something more?

It's not the way you explained it, don't worry, it's just that I don't fully understand. If someone could help me I'd be happier (or sadder depending on what happened)

BTW, your video won't load on my computer - Mac OSX Snow Leopard, Safari

[JBalsa]

The whole thing is the bad part.

The house caught fire while both parents were at work, leaving four dogs to burn alive in the fire.

Something seems to be wrong with embed. I'll just change it to a link.

-Jason

[WombatBoy]

Ah, that's what I figured, but I was wondering if there was something like foul play or what not.

I feel real bad for them - I hope they can get back on their feet

[eaglewing7]

Just because some people seem strange or their relationship strained doesn't mean that it really is...

Also just because you always see someone with a drink doesn't qualify them as an alcoholic.  As a matter of fact I would call him an alcoholic if he was drunk when ever you see him, of course this could be what you were trying to say and I miss read the post.

Also, sometimes houses do seemingly burst into flames...  Fires in general, especially house fires can seemingly start for no apparent reason.  Houses are great fire start, only a few things won't burn well, or at least burn well.  And there are plenty of things that'll start a fire, and normally when no one is home it is normally an electrical fault.  Of course it could be something like a stove or oven left on, or a candle left unattended...  Also things like electronics, appliances, heck anything that can burn could start a fire.  I'm actually surprised that you noticed smoke coming out of an AC unit.  Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if the AC unit may be the root of the fire especially if smoke was seen coming out of it.  

Well, hopefully all ends well...

[JBalsa]

Oh I don't mean that they were alcoholic's, just that they seemed that way.

With a forensic investigator at the scene, you can't help but feel a little suspicious.

Another thing that baffles me: Why was the A/C unit running in the middle of February, in minus 10 degree temperatures?

-Jason

[garrettm30]

Another thing that baffles me: Why was the A/C unit running in the middle of February, in minus 10 degree temperatures?

If they have a heat pump system for their heating, the unit would run whether heating or cooling. A heat pump essentially just does the reverse of the cooling process. A/C condenses and expands a certain fluid to pull the heat from the inside of the house and release it outside via the unit you refer to. The heat pump essentially reverses the process, trying to pull heat from the outside in, rather than running an electric element.

Edit: I don't know that it would be working in 10 below! The few units I've encountered have backup heating elements that turn on if the outside temperature drops below a point where it can effectively pull heat in.