Would you go inside your home if it was on fire?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (51582)
September 8, 2025 9:40pm CST
It was on our local news, that someone not far from here lost their home to a fire yesterday. Tragic, yes. Unfortunately, not unusual, it does happen. As we all know, it's heartbreaking to lose a home to fire, but it would be even worse if a person lost a loved one, or several loved ones, in a house fire.
The homeowner pulled up to her home, not having heard of the fire starting and the fire department had trucks on the way. She was alone, and said she could see tall flames and lots of smoke pouring out of the back of the home. Evidently there was a lot of smoke and it was hard to see. So what did she do?? She went inside! She wanted a family picture that was in the front hallway, so she held her breath and ran in to get it. She did make it out, and from what I have heard, she collapsed on the porch--but she had her picture.
Would you go inside your burning home for something you treasured, if it were not a living thing? I would not. I have some special keepsakes I would truly hate to lose to fire. But they are THINGS!
And things are not as important as people.
23 people like this
22 responses
@May2k8 (19329)
• Indonesia
10 Sep
@MarieCoyle I didn't mean it that way, I said it as it is and I still care about my life so if possible I will do it.
And that requires really accurate calculations.
And that requires really accurate calculations.2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
@May2k8
I know, sorry, it was a joke to lighten things up.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (40494)
• Philippines
9 Sep
The picture must have held immense significance for her to risk her life for it. In such a situation, one might instinctively trust the house that has always been a shield against every danger to provide protection once more. This belief, combined with her desperation, likely drove her to take the risk again, hoping that even amidst the flames, the house would somehow safeguard her. Unfortunately, given the circumstances, the house could no longer offer the protection she sought.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
No belongings are worth a life. Not in my opinion, anyway. And usually, in a family there are other pictures. They might not be the same picture, but with the abilities that photoshop has that can put missing people's pictures in a portrait, etc. it's not like it used to be.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40494)
• Philippines
9 Sep
@MarieCoyleLet's just say she cherishes that above all else. I suppose she was an old soul who felt the need to preserve what mattered most to her in that house.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
@rsa101
The news article showed her face, when I read the article, it stated she was 40 years old.
2 people like this
@allknowing (153986)
• India
10 Sep
@MarieCoyle Fully agree with you. Also if one's house is insured there will be compensation
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44236)
• United States
9 Sep
I hope I would have enough sense to stay out. There are some items I'd hate to lose for sentimental reasons like my Bible, journals and old photo albums.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44236)
• United States
9 Sep
@MarieCoyle So true. Things that can't be replaced would be the hardest to lose.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
@1creekgirl
I would have to be content with my memories of them if they were special things. As long as everyone got out alive, that's the most special thing of all.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
Oh, there are things I treasure and my heart would hurt to miss them. But as I said, they are things, and people are more important.
1 person likes this
@sallypup (66929)
• Centralia, Washington
10 Sep
@MarieCoyle We lost our handsome Tiger cat. Never found him though I called and called.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
@sallypup
Maybe he got away and ran out? Odd that you never found him.
1 person likes this
@pitsipeahie (5421)
•
9 Sep
I don’t think I’d risk my life for something material, but that’s just me. People have different values and ways of thinking. To me and to most of us here it seems foolish or unnecessary because life is at stake over a material thing, but for that person, it meant something deeply important? In that moment, with emotions running high, who really knows what’s in someone’s heart and mind? Thank God she made it out!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
I can see your point. We all think differently. I was talking to my daughter, son in law, and son about this. We all agreed that although we have special things that mean a lot to us, we wouldn’t go into a burning home to get anything. One very close family member lost her home to fire years ago. She didn’t go back inside, but she wanted to.
She wanted her mother’s Bible (my grandmother.) oddly it was found in the one room that didn’t collapse in the fire, singed and smoky but still in one piece. It has a place of honor in my home.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (166641)
• United States
10 Sep
I would not do it. Not on your life. In the end, things are only things. You can have memories of them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
It's sort of funny about things...most of the time, the only person who values the things is the person who owns them. I know I have some keepsakes that my kids want, I have given them a lot of things when I downsized last time. But it's the memories that truly matter, I agree.
@snowy22315 (199443)
• United States
9 Sep
Yes, no I wouldn't go back in for a non living thing. It would be sad to lose some things but they are not worth your life.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
I agree. In the end, they may be precious to you but it's all just STUFF.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
14 Sep
I have to agree, in the end no matter how precious, they are simply things, and people are more important.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
11 Sep
I wouldn't go in one either, whether I owned it or not! Just not the smartest thing to do.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
What matters is those that are living and breathing, I agree!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (116452)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
9 Sep
I would do it since I believe that a home can replaced. A life cannot be replaced.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
George, you are so right. Lives are the most important!
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17854)
• Raurkela, India
9 Sep
I wouldn't. My childhood photo album got destroyed when flood water entered my house. I feel bad when I think of it but I stay calm.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17854)
• Raurkela, India
11 Sep
@MarieCoyle Yes, I am but the thought of it makes me feel depressed.
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
I am sure you wish you still had it, but the main thing is you are still here.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (207237)
• United States
10 Sep
I would hate to lose all the pictures; but there are too many to try and save. I would have to have my purse with all my IDs etc.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
11 Sep
We would all want our ID's and such...but sometimes, that's not possible to retrieve if you are not near them when the fire is raging, unfortunately.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
I agree, it makes no sense to risk your life for things. It’s lives that I would be most concerned about!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
I know those things are very important, but don’t think I would want to risk my life for them.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
I imagine she could have acted in the moment, but fire can spread so, so quickly...and she barely made it out before collapsing on the porch. Firefighters had to pull her away. Way, way too close of a call.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (125727)
• Marion, Ohio
9 Sep
If it was a big fire no. But a little one yet I might
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (21277)
• United States
9 Sep
No. But if it was a person or my cats, I would.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
9 Sep
I feel the same way, people and pets, yes. Things, a big no.
1 person likes this
@Traceyjayne (6724)
• United Kingdom
9 Sep
I would try and go in to get certain things yes.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (51582)
•
10 Sep
She barely made it to safety just getting one thing, I don't think I would have risked it.
