One man’s trash…

Just after seven in the evening the newsroom calm was broken by the sounds of scanner tones; tones are sent out by dispatchers to announce an incoming call. As soon as they’re heard the newsroom staff waits for the call and head out. The call referred to a “Residential Fire” in the area of 39th Place in the foothills area; I responded accordingly.

Normally, when a call comes out there’s chatter from the arriving engines and personnel; this occasion was out of the norm since there was so much silence. Driving east on 40th Street I noticed something odd; it appeared to be a large pillar with flames coming out of it. Now, this wasn’t a house fire and upon closer approach it appeared to look more like a wood burning stove; but on steroids.

I continued my search for the residential fire and like the Fruit Loops bird I tend to crack the window and follow my nose; but smellled nothing. I heard nothing, no sirens, alarms or any commotion what so ever. I wondered if the stove looking thing was what they were referring to. I drove to the home and spoke to the homeowner Paul who informed me that the fire department had arrived at his home along with police.

According to Paul this wasn’t the first time one of his neighbors had called 9-1-1 regarding his makeshift stove. The stove was very impressive to say the least the fire escaping from the top reminded this photographer of a F-18 on take off except this was vertical. As I stood about ten feet away I could feel the heat radiating from it, making for the ideal place to stay warm on a cool desert night.

On its side cut into the metal are three designs; an eagle, a lady bug and a butterfly. Paul tells me, he moved to the Yuma area to get away from the cold and built the stove to keep themselves warm. According to Paul the police stopped by and since there were no laws being broken have left him alone.