In The Line Of Duty

Never Underestimate The Destructive Power Of Fire

My occupation is an emotionally taxing one. Tragedy is never far away, and I have to keep myself prepared for whenever it rears its ugly head. I work as a firefighter in Canterlot, the Equestrian Capital, and something that you should keep in mind is that fire destroys all.

That’s one thing I want you to take to heart; you should never underestimate the destructive power of Fire. From cherished valuables to the destruction of homes and livelihoods, even ponies themselves, anything and everything will be consumed in the face of a fire.

It’s never easy when you get the first information of a fire, you just don’t know what situation you’re going to be presented with. Sometimes, you could be rescuing a cat that got itself stuck up a tree, and at other times ponies could be stuck inside a burning building, and it my duty to make sure nopony is hurt. One thing that should be noted, sometimes not everypony makes it out alive…

If there is a memory that sticks in my head, it’s the events during my first major deployment as a Rookie. The ordeal was brutal; upon the night of the Summer Sun celebration, a fire had broken out in an apartment complex – we would only learn later that somepony had deliberately set fireworks in a bathroom on the third floor.

Fortunately, by the time we had arrived on the scene most of the buildings tenants had left the building. Unfortunately, there were still souls unaccounted for and reports of a mare still trapped in the building. Thusly, I was tasked with searching the second floor with my Chief, with a search party of five individuals for the entire building, it was necessary that we split up to cover as much ground in a short period of time.

It had barely been two minutes by the time I caught sight of the White-furred mare on the main corridor of the second floor. Smoke filled the corridor, impairing my vision somewhat and definitely choking her lungs as unnerving creaks started to sound from above me.

“Stay there!” I shouted, raising my hoof to get the mare to stay where she was, to let me come to her. “I’m coming to get you!”

I don’t know what was going on inside her head, but at sight of me her ears pricked up and she took a step towards me, ignoring my command. Her movements made me call out to her again, but as she kept moving towards me, I felt compelled to meet her in the middle, to try and get her out of the building.

I took my own step towards the frightened mare, her eyes as wide as saucers as she closed the distance between us. We were so close we could almost touch as a pained shriek ripped through the building. It was non-equine and I quickly realised with horror that it came from above me.

CREAAAAAAAAAAA-SNAP!

I was barely two feet away from her when the bone-chilling splintering of wood rocked through my senses, paralysing me to the spot. I caught one last look of her terrified, despairing face as the beam gave way, bringing down the burning ceiling upon her.

It crushed her, taking her life in an unforgettable instant as burning rubble rained down upon where once she stood. Burning debris and ash coated my overalls as the intense heat hit me like a brick wall, causing me to stumble back in a disorientated state. Before I had time to react, it was far too late to at least save her body from the flames… that smell!

I wanted nothing more than to retrieve her body, save it from the flames that began to lick at her lifeless corpse. It’s not like I didn’t try either, I stepped forward and made to start clearing some of the debris. I was clinging to ideas that she may have been alright, at least alive, but the intense heat stopped before the intense heat burned the fur on my face.

I could feel the intense heat start to scald areas on my forelegs, chest and face, but I was determined to reach her body. Bringing my left hoof to help shield my masked muzzle, I went to take a step before something firm landed upon my left flank. Turning my head, the familiar outline of my Chief came into view, a sight that I’d never wanted to see so much before.

It was almost comforting knowing that somepony with so much knowledge and experience was there to back me up, especially at a time where my confidence was crumbling quicker than the building around us.

“Is she alive?” His muffled voice perforated through his mask, almost lost to the roar and crackling of the burining timbre.

Of course, he was referring to her, the lifeless corpse that beneath the timbre. I shook my head, my neck stiff with anxiety. With my assessment taken into account, the order was given to evacuate the building, before it came crashing down on us.

Her death has stayed with me over my years as a firefighter. Not only because she was my first while on active duty, but due to her being the only one I saw die in front of me… the only one I saw burn… I don’t think I’ll ever be able to shift the coppery, metallic smell of her burning flesh, I don’t think I can…

I can’t describe the emotions that overloaded my system to the point where I was losing the battle to not throw-up in my protective mask. It was my first official death while on duty for the Ponyville Fire Department, I suppose they aren’t lying when they say 'the first time's always the hardest'. But, what they won't tell you is how long it will stick around to haunt you. It’s simply one of those things that you want to forget but can’t.

In the days that followed an investigation committee was set up and from the outset they were determined to point hooves and cast blame. During the investigation it was confirmed that the fire had originated on the second floor and upon close examination of the ceiling, it was concluded that the beam was destined to go. This information had me thinking for years, had it lasted just ten seconds longer... I would not be here today to write this. Lucky me!

As for the body of the mare, Silent Night was her name, it was never recovered. I suppose that’s something that you should take on board, don’t underestimate the destructive power of an open flame, because it will reduce you, everything you own and everything you love in mere minutes.

Was I the lucky one? Maybe, I don’t really know for sure. She may have died, but it was quick – lasting mere seconds – while I must live with it. It may seem selfish of me, but her death keeps replaying in my mind over and over again – like someone’s mocking me for not saving her. It’s crude, but you could say she was granted a death sentence while I was given a life sentence.

I couldn’t tell you what’s worse at this point...