Hold onto your hats, it's a three-fer day!

I talked to both sons on the phone tonight. #2 son (the one living in the basement of our Minneapolis house) called to ask how to tell when asparagus was cooked enough. I coached him through that and he returned to cooking his gourmet feast extravaganza -- five-cheese mac 'n' cheese (from a box) and asparagus. What a guy.

Then #1 son (the one at Mt. Sinai Medical School in New York City) called to say good-bye forever because, he said, judging from the number of sirens and fire engines and emergency vehicles outside his window, it appeared that The End Of The World was at hand. We chatted for a few minutes, then he said he wanted to go see for himself what was happening.

Later on he e-mailed:

I went and out to see what was going on and saw emergency vehicles stacked up from 97th street all the way to 101st. Some surgical resident sent an email to the students-all listserve saying holy shit the hospital's on fire, we need all hands on deck, so lots of people went over to try and help, but then the emergency responders on the scene said they don't need any medical students. I counted 9 ambulances, 24 fire trucks, 13 other fire vehicles, 3 cop cars, a news van and at least one helicopter. I think this is the only thing on the internet so far:

http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/fire.mt.sinai.2.914465.html

Andrew

Smokey replied:

Humph! The news headline calls it a "Smokey" fire. I was nowhere near it.
Hope no one was hurt.
Dad

Later #1 sent the wrap-up:

Six firefighters and no patients were injured. The fire started in a second floor mechanical room and stayed there, although lots of places got smoky. We got two different emails saying all medical students should go help out, and each time they sent us back saying they already had plenty of people. I'm not sure if we'll have class tomorrow.

I know it is wrong of me to be glad the fire was in the hospital and not in his residence, but I can't help it. I am.