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Triplets in House Fire in Bethesda--Install Fire Detectors
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Anonymous
An *excellent* reason to hire a nanny who is fluent in english enough to get such an important message across! Doesn't sound like scrimping on childcare costs did this family a lot of good. And it bothers me that the nanny didn't go ahead and grab the children despite the father's misunderstanding. Surely common sense should've told her to remove them! |
Anonymous
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This blog helps to clarify the issue of the smoke detectors:
http://www.petrucellirelieffund.com/index.html |
Anonymous
| Firefighters returned to that same neighborhood on Thursday and found that approximately half of the homes that they checked either did not have working smoke alarms, or none at all, so chances are that half of the monday morning quarterbacks on this thread are being hypocrites. Incidentally, the same thing was done recently in the Chevy Chase neighborhood with similar results, just in case anyone was under the impression that there is a correlation with income...there isn't. I think we should be thankful that the kids were rescued and pray for their well being. The finger pointing does noone any good at all...as someone already mentioned, "I hope you are perfect." |
Anonymous
The post specifically said the nanny speaks perfect English. |
Anonymous
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From the washington post article,
"The nanny spotted smoke rising from the back of the house, fire officials said. She ran up the stairs and -- in imperfect English -- alerted Petrucelli. He misunderstood her to mean that a neighbor's house was on fire. " |
Anonymous
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what post? the washington post?
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Anonymous
Yes, I mistyped, and could not pull it off. |
Anonymous
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No matter how bad her English was.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE SMOKE ALARMS. it's THEIR FAULT and they're paying for it. |
Anonymous
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Yes, the Washington Post said that she speaks "imperfect English" it also said he told her to get the children and get them out. Where the hell was she? What was she doing? Why did she not, as a smart, responsible, proactive adult **nanny**, grab the children after she told the dad about the fire? Was she not even smart enough to know he didn't get what she was trying to say? THIS is why people should not hire this type of Nanny (non-english speaker, not smart, etc...). I can not lie, that part of the story really hit a nerve. I am not excusing the Dad's trying to use a bleeping hose to put out the fire before getting the kids out himself, although what a stereo-typical man thing to do, but he did at least tell her to get them out, but what the hell was she doing during this time frame???
(* I use the lable very grudgingly) I really do hope all three come out of this perfectly healthy and happy and ok. |
Anonymous
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This story really disturbed me for a bunch of reasons.
You have a million dollar home with no smoke detectors? Seriously what are you thinking? This is a situation where no one needed to put their life in jeporady but 6 people wound up getting injured. You attempted to put an electrical fire out with a garden hose before calling 911? One more time what did the nanny do during the 15 minutes between telling the father there was a fire and when they decided to call 911? This really is a good reminder about reviewing emergency plans with your children AND thinking twice about hiring decisions. |
Anonymous
I'm sure there are consultants, but you could also check with the Red Cross chapter for good preparedness information. |
Anonymous
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To all of the finger pointers, blamers, and Monday morning quarterbacks:
Smoke detectors, in this case, actually had little to no effect on the outcome of this incident. The father and the nanny were aware of the fire before a smoke detector in the home would have activated...IT STARTED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOME. But hey, if it makes people feel better about themselves to blame the poor father and nanny, then I guess that's the way it's going to be. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. Of course, everyone should have a working smoke detector, that goes without saying. |
Anonymous
I think the Westmoreland Hills Neighborhood Association is providing help and requests through their listserve. |
Anonymous
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20:55 here:
I agree with the PP's. I simply cannot believe the lack of sense that was displayed here. By both the father and the nanny. How the hell could she NOT think to grab the kids?! Okay, so they hired someone they can't communicate with- that was THEIR stupid choice. But SHE knew the house was on fire.... Did she really think dad could handle this, put it out, and not disturb nap time?! As a nanny myself I simply cannot fathom leaving children in a burning home no matter how small the fire or minimal the smoke. It's common sense! I would've grabbed them immediately, not taken a "wait and see" approach. It's a shame common sense is so uncommon. I have great sympathy for these poor kids who are suffering from the stupidity of their caregivers- parents and nanny alike. Less sympathy for the parents though. They simply made a lot of bad choices. |
Anonymous