I woke to cracking roar above my head.

A moment of confusion, then I knew

the building blazed above

our basement room.

My friend had woken too.

Leaping to my trousers

on a chair,

he tried to put them on.

Fighting clothing far too small

he stumbled, coughing, to the hall.

A blazing stair was all he saw

and screamed,

"the house on fire".

In clumsy haste

we sorted out the clothes,

and staggered

in the weak and eerie glow.

The light had gone

and smoke, about us swirled

as we heaved at ancient sashes

stiff with paint.

Climbing from the semi basement pit

to chilly night, just nearly breaking dawn.

We saw flames belching

outward from above,

and figure silhouetted

on the roof.

Shrieking sirens, roaring pumps

and voices rent the air.

Ladders crash and thundering feet,

people everywhere.

Seconds pass with splintering glass

and rush of mighty jet.

The flames are gone

and quiet falls

'mid smells of dirt and wet.

The limp and frail figure

of a man swung into view.

Small, across the shoulder

of the fighter climbing down.

Passed with gentle power

to a medic at the base.

Fresh, clean mask was passed across

his grime encrusted face.

All is calm efficiency

as hes' stretchered off to care.

In no time at all, it's finished

and the rescuers are gone.

We stand amid

the dripping stench.

A basement flat no more.

I say goodbye

and wander off.

I tell him I will call.