What a difference a few seconds makes. Two young women were travelling home at about four this morning when their car lost control, straddled the highway divider, took out 100′of guardrail and ended up facing the wrong way on the other side of Rt. 195. But for a few mph more, a twist or turn in either direction or the tiniest flick of the steering wheel during the crash the guard rail would have intruded the front passenger compartment, rather than the empty back seat.

The girls walked away with minor injuries. Their families and friends now have the opportunity to see them grow older, pursue their lives, maybe someday start a family of their own. The girls themselves, having never seen the mangled bodies that have littered these highways over the years will probably never know just how lucky they are to be alive. Those of us who have seen the dead and dying know, and are thankful that these two didn’t join all the others that left heartbroken families and friends where the miracle of life, hope and future generations should have been.

There are over 1000 vacant, boarded up houses in Providence. The three major fires we fought today were in occupied buildings. Four or five other, small fires we put out before they could get going, one in the basement of a day care. Two firefighters suffered injuries that required an emergency room visit, many more were able to walk their injuries off and keep fighting.

Night has arrived. Vacant houses have a tendancy to ignite when the sun goes down.

Stay safe, brothers and sisters, the night is young.