always know where your fire extinguisher is
i began the end of my work day today trying to catch the 1330 train home. when i had checked the schedule online, i had about 25 minutes to get there. the trains are 30 minutes apart on saturdays and i really didn't want to waste any part of my precious weekend waiting. it takes me about nine minutes to bike from work to bart. i rushed to change out of my scrubs, no time for locker room talking vince, no time for taco bell o the way back, no time for lunch actually. this was the first trigger. i caught the train but i always ride in the second car. i was annoyed that someone was sitting in that seat next to the bike rack as it pulled up, so i got in the third train. as i walked in, it smelled strange and there was a fogginess to it all. i assumed someone was vaping or smoking and i gave it no more thought. i set my bike against the rack and there were four other people on this car with me. there was a middle aged couple, dressed similar with 49er's gear, obviously going to a local game or something. there was someone in the middle of the train who i never looked at but knew they were there. she was there. the person at the far end of the train was the one who was shrouded in smoke. i've gotten use to people smoking on the trains and so i began considering using the between-train-doors to move away. my first thought, that i dismissed, was that it was pungent and very chemical. i did not immediately associate it with that the fact this far away person was using hairspray and a lighter to set the seats on fire. in retrospect, it was very smokey around her and the chemical smell did not register. so i moved towards the between-train-door to move to the next car, the train is in motion btw. i pass the 49er's couple who are sitting very upright, posture correct, watching her set the seats on fire. i look down at the seat across from them, and curiously notice a burn hole in the seat. this is the holy moment when all of the previously alarming signals that i had completely fucking missed attained enlightenment.
this bitch was setting the goddamn seats on fire. i was completely in shock that not only was 49er's couple just sitting there watching here. but why the fuck wasn't a smoke alarm going off, where was the overhead fire retardant system? i immediately used the call button to contact the train operator to advise him that an individual was attempting to internally set his train on fire. the connection was not clear, he couldn't hear me clearly and his voice went in and out. his alarm for the news i was presenting was very un-alarming, he said he would check it out at the next stop. by the time i pressed the call button the second time, there were very large flames in the seat in front of her. i told him his train is on fire, third car #1588! the posture correct couple were still sitting to my left, quite correctly, simply watching. remember, i was on my way in-between- trains with bike in hand. after connecting the burn hole in the seat across from them, i knew an intervention was unavoidable. i returned to the middle of the train to set my bike down and looked for the fire extinguisher. i thought they were between the trains but no, it was right behind the posture correct 49er's couple. i thought i had to break the glass but it was intuitively placed, and a righteous kick opened it up to me. so i kicked the fuck out of the panel and grabbed the extinguisher. by the time that i had it in hand and rushed (too close) to the fire, the flames had consumed the seat in front of her and they were consuming the ceiling. at this time she was using the inbetween-doors to escape. it should duly be noted that the flames were consuming the seat and they were ceiling high.
it's uncertain where this note should be inserted but there is a story long posted in this journal where a camping experience once set my entire body aflame. i flashed back to this moment. at that time i was so consumed with the thought that my face was forever scarred. i also learned how important it is to hold someone else's hand during sedation, to come and go in awareness knowing someone is there for you when you come back. it was aaron's hand and he was the only one that was ever there for me.
i pulled the ring and aimed the hose, the fire was out immediately. yellow fire retardant was everywhere and i was breathing it as well. the fire was out, i dropped the extinguisher and started to walk back to my bike. 49er's couple were still sitting there, watching, doing nothing. i grabbed my bike, opened the in between doors to move to the third train for a breath of fresh air. the train stopped and we all got off. i locked my bike on the bike rack and got off to wait for the police. to give a statement. my initial purpose was to prevent her escape. i confronted her and told her why was she running, why was she so scarred. she walking by me threatening to kick my ass. i told her to bring it on as she casually reached the escalator, at this point the stupid train operator was just opening the in-between-doors to discover the burned seats and ceiling covered in yellow fire retardant. she escaped but that was only the worst of it. as i waited to give my statement to an official, the train closed it's doors and left with my bike securely attached to it's bike rack.
i spent another hour chasing it on the next train to the depot and successfully ruining the latter part of my saturday that i was so earnestly trying to save.
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