"Beast From The East"

Very early Saturday morning, off a country road in Asheboro, a few of my fellow RCC classmates and I photographed a controlled fire. It was part of the training for volunteer firemen of the East Side Fire Department. They were all very accommodating, helpful and willing to answer questions. The main deal that was made before the action began was "You stay out of our way, we'll stay out of yours." They created boundaries and we obeyed them. However, when the flames really began to dance, it was easy to forget exactly how close you were (until your camera felt like it was about to melt). It was beautiful, but also sad because even though the house was no longer inhabited, at some point in time someone had built a life within those walls; and within minutes it was nothing more than smoldering ashes. 

Chief, Eric Hoffman