incendiary

[bktheirregular]

Workman was by today to tile the kitchen walls. He started by unscrewing a power outlet from the wall, so he could re-attach it over the tiles at the end. Thinking "that could be a problem", I cut the circuit breakers to the kitchen while he was working; I had to leave before he was done.

Also, I'd put an old folded sheet over the new stove, to protect the glass top from any mishaps.

I came back in the evening, realized the breakers were still open, and closed them, restoring power to the kitchen. Then I ducked out to do some shopping before the grocery stores closed at nine.

Came back about an hour later ... to find that the apartment was full of smoke.

Crap.

Wasn't sure what had happened; I went around in a panic, and then looked at the kitchen ... and at the smoke coming from the scorched folded sheet atop the stove. Lifted the sheet, and discovered that somehow, one of the burners had been put on the "low heat" setting, and the burner was red-hot under the glass surface.

Crap crap.

I took the sheet off the stove, opened a window to try to get a draft going to clear the smoke ... and *that* was when the sheet caught fire.

Crap crap crap crap crap crap...

(Two wastebaskets full of water quenched the sheet, and all my windows are now open to vent the smoke. Going out for dinner, naturally. Not the sort of christening I wanted for my new kitchen.)

Comments

[thanatos-kalos.livejournal.com]

*headdesk* A nice metrio frappe to ease your nerves? There was this place in Monastriki that did a honey ice coffee...can't remember exactly where, though. :(

[natmerc.livejournal.com]

Yes, but now you've had your kitchen fire, so that "tick mark" on the life charts done and over with.

Glad that nothing permanent happened.