The Fire

Castle West was an apartment complex that once -- in spite of my knowing better -- caught my eye because it had the cheapest rents in the local Apartment Blue Book. It was located in the center of town, which is not a pleasant place to live. Despite some assumptions from the locals, Castle West did have fire alarms that did serve their purpose last night. But once an incendiary begins devouring a 40-year-old building at a jaw-dropping pace, not much can be done. I can't imagine the breathtaking helplessness that all those people experienced, and will continue to experience.

One of Colorado Springs' worst blazes rendered scores of people instantly homeless last night in the midst of a 5-degree deep freeze. Though it was contained to one building, the entire 135-unit apartment complex is gone, and we don't know how many people with it.

The fire is all the more disheartening when one considers that among the displaced residents are Katrina survivors. Yet again displaced. I can't comprehend what it's like to lose everything I own, let alone multiple times, but...

...

I don't know how to complete that thought but to say that it's not right.