posted
The BOZOs working in the apartment bathroom next to me used a blowtorch- it went right through the wall and started my apartment wall on fire.
The fire is out now, all windows open, my bathroom will have to be remodeled obviously at their expense.
I did rescue Stinky the guinea pig from death by smoke inhalation- I think- ACK let me go check on her again. She's okay-just a little freaked out.( in my bedroom with the cat!)
All windows open, fans running, air vents on- and the smell of burnt rubber/plastic in everything. Any tips on what to wash clothes or carpet with to get smell out? Even my hair smells.
If I complain enough , maybe they will agree to move me to another apartment. I don't know if the smell of smoke and fire ever gets out of stuff.
thank goodness I was home and could open the door for the guy to put it out. Meanwhile I had the reaction of: hmmm, smells like smoke, what's that orange glow coming from my bathroom? as I move in slow motion and my brain tries to register what I'm looking at.
_________________________________________________
Meanwhile, maintenance was just here telling me once they replace the burnt material the smell should go away in about an hour.
I may have lyme, but I'm not stupid. He's also getting something called "smoke out"? Think I'll go google that.
Carol
ps- I know where the cobwebs along the ceiling are now-they all turned black!
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Yikes, Carol! They really are morons. Sorry, that doesn't help does it?
Anyway, washing clothes does take the smell out. You can also try sprinkling the carpet with baking soda and letting it sit a while. That might pull out the smoke smell.
I'd close the bathroom door so you're smelling less in the rest of the house. Keep the windows and fans going. Maybe use the fans to blow fresh air in after a while so it's not pulling from the bathroom.
I'm glad you and Stinky are alright.
We had a fire in our building when I was a 13. We were told the smell would never leave the carpet, upolstery and clothing. we moved but brough all our stuff with us. They were wrong the smell went away.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
That's encouraging TrueBlue- thanks. I did close bathroom door soon after fire was out, and turned on vent.
Contractors here and pulling out burnt materials.
Brought "Smoke Screen" , All -purpose odor counteractant by ZEP with them. Wish it just neutralized and didn't have a sickening floral smell. Now things just smell like a burnt flower.
I had to use the toilet before they started to work, I tried to clean the seat off but I think I still have ring around the a-hole.
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
boy thank heavens you're ok.
i'd ask them to repaint bathroom using Kilnz paint or something like that. it takes the smoke odor out too. just washing the walls won't help.
wash the walls first with pine sol or something, let dry, and then repaint.
just a suggestion. hubbie used to do carpentry and they always recommended painting with this stuff after smoke damage or something.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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northstar
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7911
posted
Holy moly ! Glad you were there to detect it early enough !
You should not have to do anything for something you did not cause,
At the least, the landlord's insurance should cover washing, prime (I think Kilz is used for blackened soot, not so much for odor), and re-paint for walls throughout all rooms,
and then, cleaning carpet, and your furniture and bedspreads, curtains, etc. (they can foot the bill for taking somethings to dry cleaners to launder and iron).
Afterall, you are immune compromised at this point.
There may be lingering chemicals to contend with.
Also, with IV lines, ports/picc, etc., this is heavy work, and I would be concerned about the effect of heavy muscle movement.
They should move you out temporarily while work is being done. Even a few nights in a nice hotel.
Unless they have a nicer apt., in which case, just dont move back!
Of course, whatever you can bargain for is good, but remember your own strength and health at this time !
Northstar
Posts: 1331 | From hither and yonder | Registered: Sep 2005
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trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
Yeah, what northstar said! *nods*
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
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just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
Yikes, How smoky was it??
A thick black smoke on the ceiling??
There are smoke abatement companies,,I forgot the names now,,,maybe Duraclean?? OkI looked in book,,,Servicemaster is who I was thinking of. IF they are there ask your landlord to get them there ASAP
I heard they are the best for such stuff,,,they are familiar, and can clean more smoke faster than you ever could. They will take drapes and all cleanable stuff and do it right!! And deoderize the rooms best you can do. Same with carpets.
And save the couch when you think it is toast etc.
Landlords insurance SHOULD pay for some of this. Might be under the liability section or elsewhere.
Do YOU have renters insurance on your contents?? If NOT, might be a wake up call for same!! AND everyone else reading this too. YOUR renters policy should cover something too,please check!!
DO you have somewhere else you would rather live?? Closer to where you need to go, better steps or no steps?? Might be a chance to upgrade your living digs!! Wish I was closer to -help-being--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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sometimesdilly
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9982
posted
hey Cobby-
glad you and your furry ones are ok.
any way you can try running an air purifier thing-a ma-jig with a hepa filter? it would take some of the baddies out of the air, if not the smell.
dilly
Posts: 2507 | From lost in the maze | Registered: Aug 2006
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Cobweb,
If I knew you were having a barbecue, I would have brought the hotdogs!
Just kidding. So relieved that you and your friend are alright.
I would ask my neighbors to foot the bill for anything the landlord doesn't cover.
Couldn't you get them for arson or something???
Are you still planning a trip to the Big Easy next month?
Just checking. I would hate to miss you if you were any where in my neck of the woods.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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MagicAcorn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8786
posted
Geneal is right....sounds like they were welding and maybe not qualified or licensed to do that kind of work.
Glad this turned out the way it did.
-------------------- Posts: 1279 | From In hiding | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Glad you're OK, Carol!! Worries me since I live in a condo now too. At the mercy of idiots!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Upside to this- I wondered why my smoke alarm didn't go off-it was right there in the ceiling near the fire. Here's the good part- I, yes , that would be me, climbed onto a chair and tested it by pushing the button-no sound, so I took the cover off to find it was not plugged in. Now the red light is on indicating it is working. I had always assumed it was working.
They tore out the burnt wall( hauled it away) and have temporarily replaced it with thin sheet of rigid plastic . Fortunately my homemade portable pvc IV pole( which I keep in the bathroom for emergenicies when I am hooked up) didn't melt.
Next week, so I'm told, they're coming to upgrade whole bathroom,rebuild, tile it, and put in new fixtures. I asked him if they were going to upgrade my rent,too? He said "no" . But I'm sure when it's time for renewal there will be a hefty raise.
Yes, this was a wake up call for renter's insurance, which I don't have. If I could only find that flyer someone left on my door the other day-I just know it's here somewhere.
I do have air cleaners but thought they would just re-circulate the smell. Guess I could run them and replace the filters.
I prefer the eau de fireplace to the sickie sweet smell of this "odor counteractant"-they left me a full can and said I could keep it. Maybe I can sell it on e-bay. Says to wear personal protection equipment when spraying-for industrial and institutional use only, NOT FOR HOUSEHOLD USE.
Hey- I just realized only one of the speakers hooked to my computer is working. Must be smoke damage? I see , I mean I hear, a new set of speakers in my future.
Think I'm suffering from oxigyn, oxegin, oxygin, oxygen deprivation. They should pay for my next Spect Scan!
WEll-tomorrow's another day, another opportunity to open windows and run the fan. Basement apartments around Baltimore City aren't conducive to leaving the windows open at night.
And I am grateful to be here with all my furry friends.
Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Cobweb,
I used to have renter's insurance with State Farm.
It was very cheap....about 20.00 a month.
Of course this was light years ago.
A plastic wall? So much for privacy.
I think they (appt. management and/or neighbor) should pay to put you
Up in a pet friendly motel until the renovation is complete.
Or at least deduct this time from your monthly rent.
For some reason, it seems like although you are the innocent victim of this fire,
You are the one paying the price.
Praying for you and your furry friends.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Carol, so sorry. But glad you are ok..I think you can rescue most of the things that are washable but anything plastic may always have an odor.
YOU need to do a lot of detoxing to get it out of your system..
I did see some spect scans that showed damage from smokers so you probably inhaled a lot more than a normal smoker...
You need some good salt air to help heal..lmt
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Hi Carol, Sorry to hear about the fire, glad you are OK!!
Remember, THEIR insurance covers all! Be sure to keep names and dates and document everything.
I hope they are good to you and put you in a nice friendly pet hotel for a couple of days while they are working. And if they do not --- go find one, stay in it, and present the bill to your landlord for their insurance company to pay!
Northstar and others had good advice -- watch your health and make sure they do all the work!!
We are still trying to repair flood damage my neighbor caused by turning on her tub and falling asleep.....
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by lymemomtooo: You need some good salt air to help heal..lmt
YES YES YES and YES.
I can practice my surfing,too as long as I cover the picc line with enough newspaper sleeves.
And a trip to Coldstone!
I'm wearing myself out today with "what ifs".
What if I hadn't been home?
What if the fire started before they turned the water back on?
What if I hadn't left my door unlocked?
What if the animals had been trapped?
I feel like we all did die and I'm in some kind of weird dream. All I can see is this floor to ceiling flickering orange glow and thinking "there's a fire in my apartment"
The smoke was very black BTW JD.
Think I'll just go get on my knees and tell God I can't handle this and help me keep things in perspective. "What if's" are not productive- just intrusive. This too shall pass.
A grateful heart blossoms, a hateful heart withers the soul. (hey I just made that up!)
just don
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1129
posted
What probably happened is they were in the wall soldering copper pipes with a litle propane torch(used to be little blue bottles)
This is standard and done regularly. Was the apartment dweller OR a hired plumber doing it??? Webby???
If a licensed plumber I am SURE he has liabilty coverage for same. Apartment dweller you are limited to HIS insurance(doesnt likely HAVE it) and or his net worth(not likely either)
And believe it or not things like cobwebs in the wall cavity,where you cant see starts the fire and it smolders awhile,,,wood studs do same if tight quarters. Cant ALWAYS see it happening.
AND yes get renters insurance that will put YOU up (at the Hilton)(Okay maybe NOT there)in a case like this!!
It is a MUST to push those buttons and MAKE sure your detectors are working(and batteries arent dead). Instead of climbing a chair and 'risking' a fall,,,take a yard stick or a spare handy dandy iv pole and reach up and touch the button while standing on the floor.
Should be done at 'LEAST' once an month and once a week would be better yet. Especially in apartments where you have alot of possible fire combinations,,,people doing bad smoking habits,,, and cooking probs,let alone electrical and plumber mistakes!!--just don--
-------------------- just don Posts: 4548 | From Middle of midwest | Registered: May 2001
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Hey-JD-it was the contractor just hired in past week by the management, not the renter, to do repairs. Something tells me he may have a short contract.
Movin on up isn't quite in the picture yet, not until I can get off disability.(1050.00 a month)-BUT I actually am at a point in healing where I think working again is a possibility. Very encouraging.
I did try poking the smoke alarm with a mop handle, -and when there wasn't any sound I decided to take a closer look from a chair. I know I could have waited for maintenance, but I was really curious as to why it didn't go off-when clearly it should have.
One reason I'm in a basement apartment-ground level windows big enough for me to crawl through. Probably false sense of security. I have a few steps (5)from outside with handrail-they're doable.Close parking, Maybe too close.
One of the other things I worry about is a car failing to park and crashing through the apartment wall.
But this place is just a temporary detour on the broken road that led me straight to you! How's that?
AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
So sorry about your mess!
Glad you & fuzzies are OK .
I pass to you the wisdom of my experience:
My Smoke in The House Emergency Response Plan:
Open windows & doors
use ceiling fans if you've got 'em
put out some small dishes of distillied white vinegar
Using distilled vinegar wipe down tile, counters, walls, floors (anything in close proximity that may have obvious soot)
get out the multi-purpose OdoBan- "eliminates odors & kills 99.99% of Germs"! original eucalyptus scent.
while holding your breath, spray the OdoBan all around the room, lightly mist curtains & carpet, too(You can spray it behind you as you move through the rooms so you don't breath it in directly)
GET OUT!!!!! (Go hang outside for a little while to let the scent fade)
This works for me when I set things (usually green beans) in my house on fire or clean my oven . This is the only stuff I've found that seems to dissipate pretty quickly & doesn't make me even more sick.
It also clears the smell of cigarette smoke out of the downstairs bathroom, when mom stays over. It's the only thing I found that doesn't leave the smoke+whateverputridfragrance smell. It fades quickly and takes the other smells with it.
Good luck, sweetie! I hope it works for you too.
Major Bummer! Ali
PS-Don't ask how many times I've burned the beans that I've actually formulated a plan for it.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Carol,
Doc Dave posted something elsewhere or I wouldn't have known of your fire where you and STINKY, love that name, got out ok.
so glad you were home and able to do what you could. how terrifying, port and all plus it being in the bathroom and NOT damaged!
i just can't believe your continued bad luck. Murphy's Law, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong, has been following you too long!
Yes, you can call around for reasonable renter's insurance; been over 33 years since I had it, but I'm sure it is still affordable but they did NOT have LYME PATIENTS in mind paying out of pocket expenses continuously.
Carol, so glad God took good care of you, and it was not more serious and no one died! take care; best wishes on smoke smell! i'd have to move out until it was all gone; can't breath around it.
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by bettyg: Carol,
Doc Dave posted something elsewhere or I wouldn't have known of your fire where you and STINKY, love that name, got out ok.
So Doc Dave's talking behind my back is he?? Guess I'l have to go looking for him-yoohooooo-where are you? I'm going to find you .
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
Ok Webby, get the bags packed for the last weekend in August. We can celebrate getting older. I'll bring some food and the boat if there is enough room. Ice cream is a given..Ha..
Call me for more info, but we're at the same place from Friday eve tnru Sunday. Leave stinky in Bal'more..lmt
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
That the smoke alarm didn't go off- that's in your favor. How much of the smoke did you inhale? Did they inform you of the work they were doing? The toxins from a fire are nasty, and could set back your return to health. Covering the smell with more toxins was definitely neglegent. What options do you have as far as relocating? You should talk with a lawyer and get a feel for what kind of compensation might be attainable; whether the contractors are insured is also a factor. These jokers can't just go in there and start toxic fires in the apartment of a sick or disabled person with impunity! I think it may be detrimental to your condition to stay in your apartment!
I'm so sorry you are going through this nightmare! I hope the best possible thing happens for you here. Don't be afraid to refuse to be screwed. From what I read here there is no excuse for what happened!
DaveS
Posts: 4567 | From ithaca, NY, usa | Registered: Nov 2000
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
Just an update-
apartment doesn't smell like smoke anymore when you first walk in. Only place is the bathroom.
Stinky (guinea pig) residing in the living room now.
I have kept receipts for all things fire related-like rolls of quarters to do wash. Baking soda for rug. Vanilla Renuzits all over the place. Think I should add percentage of electric bill for additional running of fans and air filters.
Still have thin plastic wall panels-held in place with...drum roll-----DUCT TAPE! Told that contractor will be here Saturday to begin work.
Time to give Stinky his bedtime carrots. Take Care, CarolcobweB
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
OK No more house warmings for you. That is enough excitement for one lymie for awhile.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by kam: OK No more house warmings for you. That is enough excitement for one lymie for awhile.
posted
Just checked on Off-topic this morning and saw this! Well! A fire next to my place is how I found out I had Lyme, I went over-the-top chemical sensitive from exposure to the fumes, and set about to find out why, and a nurse in Virginia told me she thought I had Lyme.
So. What I have learned in order to handle the fire room: I use TKO Orange, from oranges,(TKOOrange.com) to get the fire smell out of the walls. I think it could also clean a carpet pretty well too. It's a GREAT cleaner and it's nontoxic. But don't put it on any animals except light coating on dogs.
It also kills ticks and bugs and is one of our tick repellant solutions.
Then for paint, I went through Eco-Home Improvement in Berkeley, CA. Maybe they would know of other places around the country for environmentally sensitive products. I'm using American Pride primer and paint, low odor.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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Cobweb
Unregistered
posted
There was a note on my door Friday that contractor was going to be here 8am to replace walls-no show the whole day, no call, no word, no nothing.
I used the "waiting for contractor" as an excuse to do nothing all day myself. Actually I also had verbal confirmation someone else would be here to fix kitchen floor.
Sometimes I'm just too tired to deal with things.
Anyway I'm also going to use this lack of response from maintenance as way to get out of lease early. Since they have failed to maintain the property it's on them.
Sometimes patience is also cunning-give them enough rope to hang themselves.
I like the orange suggestion-thanks. Carol
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Now things just smell like a burnt flower.
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and tested it by pushing the button-no sound, so I took the cover off to find it was not plugged in. Now the red light is on indicating it is working. I had always assumed it was working.![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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or clean my oven 
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