This week, I had an eye opening experience. It really made me appreciate my life thus far.
Heading home from Ceroc on Monday night I drove the back way through Onehunga, to come over the crest of a hill and see a fire raging through an industrial area.
A car parts factory on the main industrial road was well alight and spewing smoke and flames into the sky. I’d never seen anything like it, the firefighters at the scene were bravely trying to hold it back. Four then five then six fire engines arrived to back up those already in action.
Onlookers that lined the opposite street could hear the building groan, creak and warp as the fire began consuming it’s structure.
This was when I realised, I’d never REALLY seen a fire. Sure I saw a tree on fire once, just the one tree. I’ve seen some post-fire damages. I’ve had a fire in a fireplace. Lit a piece of paper on fire once – that was more than scary enough for me. To see this mammoth building being reduced to rubble was an eye opener.
I’ve never been in a serious car accident. I’ve never been in a natural disaster. I’ve never been mugged or threatened by gangsters. I’ve never been put in that situation of panic. I’ve had it easy.
But those fire fighters out there are incredible. I want to honor every one of the 60 men there for their bravery and their strength in moments where most would panic and run. They stand and fight.
If that wasn’t eye opening enough, Tuesday brought with it further chaos as Christchurch was rocked by another earthquake – this time lethal. And while I didn’t have family down there to worry about, my heart truly pounded for those that were waiting to hear news of loved ones.
The footage – while no doubt incomparable to the real experience – was haunting. And I spent hours staring at the TV screen, watching injured men and women slowly pried from the rubble. Sadly, not all that made it out were alive. This event has hit all of New Zealand hard and I know everyone now has their heart with Christchurch.
And again, it is our emergency services, the firemen, police and ambulance workers leading the aid effort to help those trapped and injured. These are the people to whom we owe our greatest thanks and for some of us, to whom we owe our lives.
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