Last Tuesday, our friend Henry's home caught on fire. Here is the Facebook post he made after being discharged from the hospital:

Last Tuesday night, I stayed in my room for about three hours having phone conversations, then dealt with some other things, when I picked up this bizarre scent. It reminded me of electronics being fried. So, I checked all my devices in the room. Nothing, then I thought, it might come in from outside. That wasn't the case either. Then I knew, it came from within the house. I opened the door to the hallway... I was staring at this grey-white wall of piercing smoke! I realized, this was a very serious matter. I grabbed my flashlight, and made my way through the hallway. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Then I saw what was going on. There were fierce flames reaching out from behind the fridge/freezer! It was clear to me, I had to get out of there immediately. I grabbed my phone and barely made it to the main door. I did all this without seeing anything, basically blind.

After fumbling with the door, I managed to unlock it, and then rushed out down the drive way. I didn't realize what happened to me while I was exposed to this intense heat and smoke. I flagged down a car, and asked the driver to call 911. The Fire truck, the paramedics and the cops arrived within minutes, as I think... I was immediately taken away by the paramedics. They rushed me to UC San Diego. They started to work on me right away during the ride there. Then, the staff at the ER started to prep me for the ICU. I had to go through the ER, before I was transferred to the ICU. Once there, they began the treatment which lasted about 6 hours. I spare you the rest for now. Suffice it to say, that this has devastated me and my roommate Darin, with whom I have lived in this home for almost 6 Years.

Our most beloved 2 cats, Missy and Sparky, perished during this inferno. I have suffered multiple severe burns on my head, right arm and upper back. I was exposed to the heat and smoke just for seconds. In hindsight, as I understand now, if I hesitated just for one bit, I wouldn't have made it out of there. Since then, it has been real hard and painful going through every day.

I lost pretty much every thing. We are still not allowed to back into the building, because the pending forensics and investigation for the cause of the fire. All my essentials (wallet, driver's license, passport, etc.) for the daily survival are still in my room, and I have no access to them.

I was discharged at the end of the 2nd day. My lungs and eyes were intensively examined, and they found no life threatening issues. I had nowhere to go. I didn't have any clothes with me. The hospital provided some so I could leave. I am basically homeless, lost everything, and depend on the help of friends and family. I never thought, I would ever go through a tragedy like this. Nevertheless, my spirit is up. Hey, I survived and I am alive! Now, I am couch hopping. Not a pleasant thing at all. Once I am allowed to retrieve at least the very essentials, I am ready to find a humble temporary place. I am open for suggestions.

My heartfelt gratitude to all who came through in these very few days to step in and help me! Thank you!

I will keep you posted. My very best to you all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubl_IhVnoO8