Would you go inside your home if it was on fire?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (48148)
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.
17 people like this
17 responses
@1creekgirl (44104)
• United States
13h
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 (44104)
• United States
13h
@MarieCoyle So true. Things that can't be replaced would be the hardest to lose.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48148)
•
13h
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
@MarieCoyle (48148)
•
13h
@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
@pitsipeahie (5419)
•
12h
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 (48148)
•
12h
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
@rsa101 (40137)
• Philippines
13h
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.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40137)
• Philippines
12h
@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.
@MarieCoyle (48148)
•
13h
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
@MarieCoyle (48148)
•
13h
I agree. I would never consider it unless there was someone/or a pet inside who couldn't or didn't get out.
@Deepizzaguy (113829)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
13h
I would do it since I believe that a home can replaced. A life cannot be replaced.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (78550)
• United States
13h
In a word, no. The only thing I’d go back in for would be a person or a pet. And, as I live by myself and haven’t had a pet in 22 years, that means I go outside then check to see if any of the neighbors have the ingredients for s’mores. 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (48148)
•
13h
That would be one HUGE s'more party, my friend! 
But yes, a pet or a person would be the only reason I would go back inside, too.
But yes, a pet or a person would be the only reason I would go back inside, too.1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17651)
• Raurkela, India
1h
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.
@sallypup (65943)
• Centralia, Washington
12h
Been there and bought the t shirt. I did not go back into our burning cabin, though.
