I knew a girl when I was eight
Who was my friend and classmate.
Every day we walked to school
And teased the boys and tried to act cool.

She had a sister and brother
Who stayed at home with their mother.
Each morning as we would go
They'd wave goodbye from their window.

One day while sitting in class
We heard the fire engines pass.
They stopped and we knew it was near,
But never dreamed we had anything to fear.

At noon we left the classroom
And started home with a feeling of gloom.
I'd always been afraid of fire,
And now I was trembling and starting to perspire.

In the distance we saw the smoke,
Then I heard my friend gasp and choke.
She looked stunned and in a daze.
It was her home that was ablaze.

We stopped in the road and stared,
Not saying a word, we were too scared.
The house was burned to the ground,
Everything gone, only ashes could be found.

My friend started to scream,
But I just stood there as if in a dream.
Frozen in the middle of the street,
In shock I couldn't even move my feet.

The last time I saw my friend was that day
When the neighbours came and took her away.
I often wonder just where she went
After we witnessed that terrible event.