(We had a branch library near us go that way. It was in the middle of the day: the fire station was literally down the block, and they saved most of the books. In the irony department, half of the building had originally been a fire station. It was rebuilt on the existing foundation, after the neighborhood made it clear that putting the replacement two miles away wasn’t going to fly.)

Smoke detectors went off but fire was so enlarged there was nothing to do but flee makes it sound like there was an accelerant somewhere:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_accelerant

Hopefully, it wasn’t arson.

In my own case, my house got a complete remodel and I got to be in the drivers seat. I got to pick colors, change flooring from mediocre carpeting to ceramic tile, custom paint job, vaulted ceiling in my living room, put a linen closet in my bathroom, all new cabinetry, all new energy efficient appliances. More importantly, all new city codes established since my house was built in the early 1970s were updated (asbestos removed, aluminum wiring, which caused the fire changed out, etc.) Plus, any losses of furniture were replaced with new paid for by the insurance company. Plus they paid the rent for a place to stay while I was dispossessed of my home (I continued to pay the house payments.)

All in all, it was the trauma of being dispossessed that was hard, but after all was said and done, I was better off afterward than I was before because I had all new stuff that cost me nothing. Still, you can’t replace the kitty so I’m very much hoping that member of the family turns out to be okay too. Then she will have lots to be thankful for.

It’s a good time for each of us to review our family disaster plans. Remind the kids -and the grownups, too- what to do, and what not to do, if a fire strikes.

Get out. No stopping for valuables. Family out. Pets out if possible. Forget everything else till the fire department comes.

Can’t even imagine the loss and grief.

It’s a good time for each of us to review our family disaster plans. Remind the kids -and the grownups, too- what to do, and what not to do, if a fire strikes.

The PI has Horsey, who is pretty spot-on a lot of the time in the cartoon department.

In any event, I read them both every day, and the differences are rather minor, almost all based on editorials and local op-eds.

Horrible loss.
My thoughts and prayers for Darcy and he family.

just when we were getting somewhere up here.

Now I see that Creep Dino Rossi is making noises about being Governor again, shudder.