Turn Up The Heat

Chapter 34 - Blake & Riley

                      Blake

It's been one hell of a day. We are waiting to see what the report says, that caused the fire. I have a bad feeling about these fires, and I can't help but worry my girl. Chris walks in and gets all our attention.

"Makenzie, Daniels and Black front and center."

"Yes Chief" we all say in unison.

"I don't know what the fuck is going on today, but it's chaos."

"Do you think we have a arsonist on our hands?" Scott voices what I have been asking myself.

"The reports aren't back yet, but my gut says yes. We just don't see this much activity back to back."

Chase rakes his fingers through his hair. "Shit!"

"I haven't seen anything like this since about seven years ago." The Chief says clearly frustrated.

Scott, Chase and I look at each other. That's when Riley was in a fire.

It can't be a coincidence...can it?

I need to know so I reluctantly ask him what he means.

"Well those fires started similar to what we had going on today. The thing is we needed up having ten fires within three days. It was the worse fires we have seen until now."

"Oh shit! That's right, I can't believe I almost forgot about those." Scott says with wide eyes.

"One of them was my girlfriend's house." Now I'm really worried about Riley. Something is definitely wrong here.

"Riley, that's right. I'm glad we were able to get to her in time."

Dispatcher: Attention all units code 921. Fire or explosion at 5723 Alder St. All units available please respond.

"Shit that's the next street over from my place...Riley."

"Gear up boys time to go."

I get ready trying to call Ry but it goes to voicemail every time.

"I can't get a hold of Ry."

As we load into the truck Chase calls Sam and she picks up. He talks to her while I impatiently wait. When he ends the call he looks at me shaking his head.

"She's going to try and call her again."

"I have to get to her."

"You will do your job Makenzie. I will see if I can get a volunteer to check on her." The Chief commands. I nod my head because I know he is right. I have a job to do.

We get to the house and there is chaos everywhere. It looks like they got the first house under control. The second one still needs to be contained.

"Alright boys let's go."

We grab the hoses and Chase starts hosing down the house. "There is no way to see if there is anyone inside."

"I'm going to check around back."

I run around back and it doesn't look as bad back here yet. I have a small window of opportunity to check, I get on my walkie. "I'm going in."

"Roger that. You got two minutes Blake and then I'm coming in to get you." Chase says.

The fire is intense but it's still dense back here so the fire must have started in the front. I just hope there is no backdraft.

"Anybody in here?"

I go into every room that I possibly can, which isn't much. Fires are unpredictable they can come in different motions...like a dance so to speak.

I yell as loud as I can. "Hello anyone here. This is the Chanoga Fire Department."