Mom's Fire

Well, I had a scare yesterday. Around 4:00 p.m. my mom called me to tell me she had an oven fire. I was having a hard time getting the details. She kept saying there was a big fire in her oven that wouldn't go out. Her roommate was broiling some steaks and the oven went up in flames. I figured it to be a grease fire from the meat drippings or something, but mom kept saying it was plastic melting all over the oven.
Since the story wasn't real easy to clarify, I told mom to call the fire dept. But her roommate kept shouting in the background, "No, no, it will be so embarrassing!" I was getting a bit ticked that they were arguing about this so I rather DEMANDED that mom call the fire dept. and said I'd be right over. I only live about 5 minutes away, so I figured I could get there before they stopped arguing about what to do.
I got in my car and headed over there as fast as I could. As I got on Santa Gertrudes, the main street between my house and my mom's house, I saw police cars pulling out in front of me from everywhere, lights flashing and going oh so ever fast. I prayed they were going to Mom's, but I didn't know. By the time I got to the turn off into Mom's neighborhood, I could see no police cars. When I turned the corner to where I would be able to view Mom's house, there were about 6 police cars and 4 large hook and ladders. I couldn't even find a place to park and of course there were neighbors everywhere. Mom has lived in that house since 1963 and everyone knows her.
I got to the house and mom and her new roommate were standing outside by the garage with policemen standing with her and talking to her. Well, here's the low down. When I hung up, my mom did call the fire dept. and got the process in order. They must have gotten there almost immediately because I couldn't have taken more than 4 minutes to get there. The police took Mom and her roommate outside and wouldn't let them back in. (They were staring at the stove) The fire dept. got there next and got the fire out, put up fans to clear out the smoke and removed the grills, which were very hot. Turns out that someone had taken a plastic cover for the Microwave and put it in the top of the oven to get it out of the way. But, of course, didn't remember to remove it later. That's what caught fire and the plastic was in flames, dropping through the oven into the grill.
It was all over pretty quickly. I was ever so grateful for the police and fire dept. to get there so fast and they were all so nice and helpful. A police woman was there and she helped calm Mom. I'm glad La Mirada is small because it makes response time so fast and they are adding a new fire station on the other side of the city, giving our little place two fire stations. It should never take more than 5 minutes for them to reach anyone's house in La Mirada when that is finished.
So, I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious. Good to see the community support and know my mom is in good hands in an emergency.