day 1, part 5

My watch says 6:05 PM.

The garage is still and dark. I can hear neighbors in the street talking, trying to figure out what just happened.

The flashlight battery is freshly charged, so the light is bright and fills the garage. I work my way around the wedding stuff and pull the emergency release cord on the garage door opener. The door is heavy and difficult to lift, but once moving, it easily slides to the top of the track.

The air seems to vibrate with a dull hum. About 20 people mill around in the street and yards nearby, trying to get a view of the sky. I go back in the garage, grab my ladder and lean it against the front of the house.

There was definitely an explosion. I can see a huge plume of black smoke and flames that must be over 100 feet tall. It looks to be somewhere along I-35, probably near 38th Street. I can’t tell if it is on the East or West side of 35.

It doesn’t look like a building fire… more like a jet flame. I think I can hear the roar.

Maybe a gas line?

“We still have a downtown?”
Tom startles me and I have to sit quickly to keep from falling off the roof.

Tom lives across the street with his wife. I don’t typically socialize with my neighbors, but he and I have had a few conversations about the yard and house upgrades.

“Looks like a gas line blew somewhere along 35. Come take a look.”
I wave him up the ladder.
“Jesus.”
We are both hypnotized by the flame and smoke.

My watch says 6:15.