Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the smell of smoke and the sound of a shrieking alarm - your home is on fire! You and your family safely hurry out of the house as the fire department arrives. Standing in the street in your pajamas, you huddle with your family as the tragedy sinks in. Even if the fire was extinguished quickly, your home is probably not inhabitable. Your food, clothing and furniture are damaged by fire, smoke or water. As you begin to ponder your next steps, you are introduced to volunteers who warm you with a blanket and talk to you about food and clothing allowances, temporary lodging and emotional support. Where did these helpers come from? The American

This photographer/writer has been accused of being "snarky" in the past, but I'll put it right out there and warn you on this one…I'm going to be Snarky! Sacramento, CA- Metro fire executes a rapid "knockdown" on apartment fire, containing the blaze to one unit and saving the complex. Early Sunday afternoon, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department, assisted by Sacramento City Fire Department, was called to the apartments at 7326 Stockton Boulevard, for a report of smoke. When crews arrived they found heavy smoke coming from the windows and front door of a top floor apartment. A second alarm was immediately struck out for additional resources due to the "high density residential housing,