People were coming in and out, carrying buckets and basins, and there was thick smoke coming from the kitchen—it was on fire! The villagers coming and going were helping to put out the fire!
At this moment, everyone forgot about comforting Old Chen and rushed home in a panic, not even bothering to thank those who were fighting the fire. They grabbed tools and joined the firefighting efforts.
Fortunately, the fire wasn't too big; it was just a small pile of firewood in the kitchen that caught fire. Although it looked fierce with thick smoke, it was quickly extinguished. Inside, only the walls were blackened, a wooden cabinet for holding bowls and plates was burned, and some ceramics were broken—there were no other losses or injuries.
After extinguishing the fire, Mr. Qin and a few others repeatedly thanked the villagers who helped. They should have hosted a meal for those who assisted, but the house was now a mess of water and ash. So, everyone left without staying.
