A few days before Christmas I was baking some holiday bread for gifts, and, of course, the oven seemed to be on all day. I had just finished and wanted to take a break with a hot cup of tea. One of the gas pilot lights went out above the tea kettle, so I tried to lift the top of my oven and all of a sudden- BOOM- a gas fire was in and on my stove.

One of the lines had cracked, which I didn't know at the time, and the fire was growing. Within a few seconds, I called 911, knowing this was bigger than I could handle.

The operator was wonderful, telling me to go outside. As I spoke to her, I had visions of my kitchen burning. "No," I said, "not at Christmas."

Within two minutes, the fire department was there and took care of everything. I had never called 911 before, I was so impressed and so thankful.

Later in the week, I received a new gas stove and had The Gas Company check everything.

Does the public know that a customer can have The Gas Company come to your house and check for gas hazards and leaks?

To my knowledge, it's a free service.

What a wonderful community and country we live in. We're still experiencing cold weather and my message for all is to do a "safety check" in your home.

Be safe.

I thank God for such a wonderful fire department.

Before they left, I hugged them all. Suemary Long Thousand Oaks