Flying Beastie Posted December 6, 2003 Share Posted December 6, 2003 My apartment nearly burned down today. I was just sitting quietly, watching TV and waiting for JLA to come on, when my (electric) radiator suddenly started making a loud generator-like grinding sound. I came over to see what was happening, and saw sparks and flames at the bottom (there's about two inches of clearance between the rad and the floor), and everything smelled like smoke. I shut off the heat entirely, killed the smoke detector which had started screaming, and opened the balcony door to let the haze clear out. Thing is, we're between landlords now (new guy won't move in for a couple of days, old ones are in Kingston by now), so I couldn't reach anybody. I considered calling electricians, but when I took a good look at the rad, I realized that it's been painted over at least once. Any workers'll have to chip their way to the screws holding the faceplate on. So, basically, due to faulty wiring and a large amount of dust in an inaccessible area, my apartment is now a fire hazard. And a very cold one. I'm leaving in an hour for mom's place (in Cornwall), so you know what that means; minimal internet access for the next few days. I'm going by bus too. I hate bus travel. Before I leave, I'll leave the notice for the new landlord telling him to get an electrician in here pronto. I'll also unplug everything (in case more rewiring needs to be done), and cover up my computer from the inevitable dust storm when they open up the rad. And I'll re-attach the smoke detector's battery so I don't get yelled at for recklessness. I'll let you know when I'm back, assuming the building doesn't burn down with most of my worldly possessions in it. Here's hoping the new landlord isn't Evil enough to find a way to blame me for this and kick me out (I'm planning on moving out anyway, but not until July). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba The Hunt Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 wow, thats terrible, hope the bus journey isnt/wasnt too bad, and I hope everything resolves itself quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyan Farlander Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 Wow, that sucks, but it's good you got it under control! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nute Gunray Posted December 7, 2003 Share Posted December 7, 2003 Get a dog and blame him for the fire. A guy tried that here last Feb. But don't get caught like he did, unless you find the newspaper article title of "Man Frames Dog For Arson" to be hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold leader Posted December 8, 2003 Share Posted December 8, 2003 /me is lucky to have central heating. Good luck at your mom's! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Beastie Posted December 11, 2003 Author Share Posted December 11, 2003 The bus journey was. . .tolerable. Mom didn't meet me at the station to pick me up, like she'd promised. (I should be past being surprised by this. I really should.) I took a cab home instead. On Sunday, my new landlord got in touch with me and said that he'd examined the radiators (I have two in my place, 'cause it's a one-bedroom). What happened is that the generator for the fan (the actual rad elements are hydraulic and centrally controlled. The room thermostat controls the fans that spread the heat into the apartments) burned out. The bedroom rad, he assured me, is just fine. He said the electricians would arrive tomorrow (Monday) to replace it. I couldn't come back until just now (mom had other, far more important things, like a road-trip with two of her sextegenarian friends ). The living-room rad appears to be fixed, though the paint on my bedroom rad is unbroken, so I don't know how he "examined" it. Obviously though, I'm still babying it. Landlord's supposed to actually move in tomorrow. I'll flag him down and make sure that he's checking (or having someone check) the other rads in the building as well. They appear to be original to the building's construction, so if mine has reached the point of burning out, others may as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrawn Posted December 11, 2003 Share Posted December 11, 2003 I commend your keen survival instincts sir! Glad that it wasn't to serious. Stay safe, and remember, only you can prevent your own apartment from burning down! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commander 598 Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 I would've quickly found/made some type of rope and rappeled down the side of the building, or I would have blamed a nearby cat for arson. Their Watching... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thrawn Posted December 13, 2003 Share Posted December 13, 2003 Yes, it is always that cat's fault! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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