Family Mellmann

The new website is a little easier to update, so I have posted some new photos covering our busy, but fun, December.  I hope you enjoy the photos.  Check them out here .

While I was in Winooski surveying the damage to our building, talking to fire officials, and (because I apparently looked like someone who knew stuff) answering the questions of neighbor tenants, I was stopped by a reporter who asked me several questions and then asked if she could ask me more questions on camera. It turns out she had been standing out in the cold for hours, but the fire department didn't have anything (new) to report so what she really needed was a talking head. That's where I came in.  I've done these kinds of interviews before and always ended up on the cutting room floor so-to-speak.  Why would this time be any different. I am a bit surprised (and suspicious) of the reported conclusion as to how the fire started, but it seems that the investigation is over.  I have spoken several times to the owner of the burned building, but don't know yet if he plans to rebuild. Here's the WPTZ's closing report on the fire. Winooski Fire .  My folks

In the light of day we can finally see the damage to our building, caused by the raging inferno last night. At least one window is broken, and the siding is a mess. Damage to the roof is unknown. Our hope is that the damage is only "skin deep".

More news on the Winooski fire.

WCAX is our favored local news source. This is their report of what was happening as of the 11:00 news last night.  News Report by WCAX

Here's another report that came in during the night about the fire next door to our apartment building in Winooski. Their video shows a fully engulfed building fire.  Winooski Fire

Tonight, as Joerg and I were watching Race to Dakar and enjoying a quiet evening on the sofa, I happened to check my Facebook (I was looking to see if a friend had replied to me) and saw a comment from the son of our general contractor.  He said he saw our tenants on the news related to a fire. I didn't read any more of his post and went directly to the internet to see if I could find out what he was talking about.  I saw this picture and we immediately stopped our movie and drove over to see what was happening. Our building has sustained some heat damage as far as we can tell, but we'll know more in the coming days as the building is inspected.  According to officials, no one was badly injured (smoke inhalation mostly), but a couple of pets were lost. Here is a news report of the action.  Winooski Fire