Firetrucks roared down the road toward them, slowing to a stop with a squeal in front of Rick.  People dropped to the ground as the gears of the truck puffed and squeaked.  Doors slammed.  “Where’s the fire, sir?” somebody called out.
     “Chimney fire,” said Rick.  Suddenly men in rubbers and hats were everywhere, oddly illuminated by the lights from the truck.
     “Everyone outside?”
     “Yeah, it’s just the two of us.”
     “And my dog,” said Katherine.
     “Just keep him out of the way, ma’am.”  Men started moving toward the house, and Rick went with them.  Katherine stayed at the back of the pack, still holding Noodle.
     “Bring a 30 foot,” someone called.  “And a 10 foot too.”  It sounded like nonsensical numbers to Katherine.
     “Kate!” called Rick.  “Come over here.  We need you.”  She came up to a small huddle of men who looked at her with new interest and stepped back to make room for her.  “They have some questions for you about your house.  When was the chimney cleaned last?”
     “I have no idea,” she said, her mouth going dry.  “I just bought the house in September.”
     “And you didn’t clean it before lighting a fire?” asked a fireman.
     “Clean it? I didn’t know I had to,” she said numbly, looking at Rick.  “No.”
     “Probably just creosote, then.  Get the chain.”  The man turned back to Katherine and said not unkindly, “Do you know where your cleanout is?”
     “Cleanout.  For the chimney.”  She concentrated on remembering all that she had been told about the house.  “Yes.  In the basement?”
      “Good.  Now just stay well clear.”
     Men started swarming up the ladder to the roof, where they leaned a shorter ladder against the chimney.  Flames were no longer shooting out as strongly.  Someone held a mat or something over the top of the chimney.  Noodle squawked unhappily and Katherine set him down.  When she looked up again, the cover was off the chimney and a man was lowering a great chain into it.
     “What are they doing?” she asked Rick.
     “Knocking any creosote off the sides of the chimney.”
     “Ma’am,” someone called from the back door.  Katherine hurried up to him.  “We’re bringing out some chimney material from the cleanout.  Where can we dump it so it’s not on a garden or anything?”
     “Anywhere on the grass here.  I don’t have a garden yet.”  She went back to Rick.  “Looks like my house isn’t going to burn down.”  She tried to laugh, but her teeth started chattering instead.  Rick put his arm around her and pulled her to him.  For a moment she leaned on him and tears pricked at her eyes.
     “Everything’s going to be just fine,” he said, then went to get two lawn chairs.  “We might as well sit down while we wait.”
     Katherine clapped her hands for Noodle.  She tucked him safely under her chair, where he promptly lay stretched out.  The feverish, almost ant-like activity of the firemen slowed down until several were just standing around in groups.  The man at the top of the chimney hauled out the chain and called for a light.  Messages were relayed to the men in the basement, and the man hollered down the chimney.  Then a bulb on a long cord was hung down the chimney, followed by more shouts.  Eventually the ladder was handed down from the roof, and everyone came out of the house.  Katherine and Rick approached them.
     “We’re satisfied the fire is out,” said the fireman in charge.  “We’ve checked throughout the house, where it might have broken through the chimney, and it appears to be safe.  We’ve removed all the burning creosote, but the first thing you should do is have the chimney cleaned and inspected for damage.  Don’t use it again before you’ve done this.”
     “Yes.  I won’t,” said Katherine.  “Thank you very much.”
     “Your insurance company will probably want to send an inspector as well.”
     “Right.  No problem.”
     “And you handled things pretty well.  Things were in good shape when we arrived.  Good thing your husband knew what to do.  Sorry, your friend, rather.  Well, good night, then.”
     “You mean we can go back inside?  The house is safe?  I can stay here tonight?”  Katherine anxiously put a hand on the man’s sleeve.
     “Everything should be fine, ma’am.  There should be no further outbreak of fire, but you never know for sure.  We think we cleared everything out.  Call us if there’s a further problem.”
     Katherine stood back and watched as the men carried their equipment back to the trucks and climbed aboard.  Engines were started, and with squeaks and hoots the heavy trucks turned around and headed back to town.  When they were gone, Rick took her arm and said “Come on, let’s go back inside.”

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