California Spring Break (Day 4)
Our plan for the day was to head to Venice beach. Craig had off that day because of St. Patrick's day. Leave it to Miller Brewing Company to give it's employees off on a drinking holiday. We passed by downtown Los Angeles on the way to Venice beach, which is supposed to be a breeding ground for weirdos. There weren't many weirdos around that early in the morning, but this building did have smoke coming out from it.
At first, there was just a fire truck parked in front of a building. We thought nothing of it, but curiosity took hold and we walked towards it. Some firefighters had gathered on the roof, and some smoke was escaping from the building. Within seconds, fire emerged, and a think black smoke billowed out, and the firefighters yelled to one another to get off of the building, and they scrambled down the ladder to safety.
This entire event escalated before our eyes from bad to worse, as the firefighters clearly understood that this building was in grave danger, and so would their lives be if they were atop the structure. They raced against time to leave this damned place, and soon the situation grew bleak and unstoppable.
The events that I was witnessing first-hand are indescribable. The pain, the suffering, the loss, all confusing as I watched the fire consume the building. It reminded me of 9/11 and the terrorist attacks on America. I can only imagine what it might have been like to stand underneath the World Trade Center as it was burning and people were dying. It made me feel helpless and not in control. The feelings I received from watching this building crumble to the ground were intense and troubling. I prayed that I may never again be placed in this situation.