You mean some one started the fire intentionally? That’s too bad. That really is spoilsport.

If indeed, it was done by teenagers, they must have been afraid after seeing the outcome of what they did. Glad to hear no one was hurt.

How terrible! this happens too often nowadays…Fortunately nobody was wounded nor dead.

I am glad to hear that nobody was hurt. My thoughts are with the businesses who are going to lose their trade before Christmas. Take care, Christine.

very pathetic

That’s dreadful. I feel for the shop owners and employees. So glad no one was hurt.

Great poem with a powerful sad message. Well done! Hope to have my computer fixed soon. Happy Holidays!

Some people really don’t give much thought to what they do and would even have the nerve to refuse to be responsible for their actions. Good thing no one was hurt. But it is indeed a pity for those store owners who lost their goods and the opportunity of selling their products that are now ashes…

good and excellent

What a dreadful story behind a great poem. Happy Christmas, Christine. Sorry to hear hooligans have ruined it for those stores who are already struggling.

so long as no one got hurt– things can be replaced structures repaired— good share though

Hopefully, the culprit can be caught. They did ruin the joy of Christmas spirit.

The teenagers should be dealt with severly, It could have been much worse.

Very pathetic.

Aaawh that is so sad. This weekend is the one Traders look forward to, as sales are rocket high. I hope their Insurance compensates them and that Xmas is not ruined for those in your community and you.

Hopefully, the snow will clear and you can drive further to do your Xmas Shopping.

Too bad, the fire, too good, the poetry.

The teenagers though it would be fun not thinking of the consequences of their actions. Nice written sorry to hear of the incident.

Such a shame and a pity to bring such ruin at this time of year so needlessly. Great writing, as always.

That’s awful ! Great poem !

What a tragic loss. I feel sorry for these people too. You presented this story with such artistry Christine. Brilliant post.

That was truly tragic!

Yes, it could have been much worse. I hope they are caught. Maybe a security camera caught them in the act.

Nice Share.

CR…this is a great lilting piece about such a tragic event at this time of year, especially…you really should stand in front of a TV camera and recite this as part of the evening TV news…you could have quite a little niche for yourself there…the news could contact you and say we need a newsy rhyme about this happening or that happening…”And now, with her special take on the news is our own Christine Ramsay with the latest on the shop fires…” I voted that I like this one and know there will be many more…thanks and take care…

Excellent poem Christine but the message is unfortunately very sad.Consequences seem to be something of the past these days replaced by spur of the moment thinking. It always amazes me at how readily the world accepts behavior such as this even when the culprits are caught.

You report so poetically that I thought I was in your company, watching those flames. A good piece.

Good Post.

Thanks for share.

Silly teenagers. They actually think they are funny!
They have nothing better to do than cause trouble.
A very good poem. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Christine, you’ve captured this in an incredibly heart tugging way. You should send it to the editor of your local paper so that everyone in your community gets the chance to read it.

A wonderful poem…as usual! But I feel so bad for the shop keepers.

It boggles the mind to try and think like those irresponsible hooligans. What would anyone think that pretty little flame would do to a pile of cardboard boxes, anyway…duh! It’s bad enough that bad things can happen by accident…but to have your shop and your livelihood burn down because someone wanted to watch a flame grow is more than just a prank. It’s just plain wrong and hurtful. I hope they catch the arsonists and throw the book at them! And I hope the shop owners carried enough insurance on their places.

It’s sad that this happened. Those responsible certainly ruined the joy of Christmas celebration. I hope that the culprits will be brought to the bar of justice.

I can’t imagine teenagers who would do such damage. What could they have been thinking of. We read about such things every day, though. Makes you wonder what kind of upbringing they had.

That is great that no one was hurt. It is a shame that those teenagers would do something like that. What a way to ruin the holiday for these business owners. Hopefully they will suffer the consequences of their actions.

I hope they get enough punishment that they never do such meaness again.

Good Post

Makes you wonder why they would they think that was fun.

terrible! couldn’t imange teenagers do that.

somewhat bad experience but always a beautiful poem.

This is so typical of today’s unthinking young, such a sad story for shoppers and business alike.

I just hope those responsible come to realize the folly of their action.

very well expressed poem.
It’s a very serious offence here..

It is over a week later now and the shops have not reopened. One may never open again. Our lovely shopping mall looks so sad at the moment. Thanks for your sympathetic comments. I haven’t heard whether the culprits have been caught yet.

Christine

terrible, luck no casualties

They behaved like terrorists.Very sad.

Great peom sad theme.

missed this one Christine hope all is fine and the shops will reopen soon cheers

I saw this on the news. It is terrible.