I could sleep yesterday morning so got up and pottered about. Emptied the dishwasher, made myself a drink - that sort of thing.
Then I checked my emails etc. I checked the local news, and then I checked the news not far from here where I grew up and where family members still live. I never usually do this but something ........ you know how it is.
And I saw that there had been a fire in a road where my sister lived. I knew as soon as I saw it. Much searching of news on line, and eventually I saw the house where the fire was, and it was my sister's house. I rang the Fire Department who asked me to ring the Police Department. They wouldn't confirm anything but said they would contact me. Of course, by 8am I was frantic and called them back. A young Police Officer came to the house - but I already knew. I had been able to see on line the cards that were left outside the house and so could see the names of my sister and brother in law.
My sister and brother in law, both in their mid to late 80s, had died. I am choosing to believe it was from fumes.
Because I was the one who contacted the Police, they now have my contact details and I am down as Next of Kin (although there are many other family members). They had no children. So i am sorting out the what has to be done.
It was quite a shock. Both together - which is a blessing as neither could have gone on without the other. And yes, they had smoke alarms. That is what alerted the neighbours to call the Fire Department.
I was not close to this sister. She had a "challenging" personality and had managed to alienate all the family members. But it is still a shock.
It must be so hard to be in this position - but in a different country. My heart goes out to those who have lost family members across the waters.
