Last year the same kind of thing happened to teachers in our district. They had just married and had bought a house (half a double). No one was at home when it happened except for their 3 cats. Two of the cats were found, but it was days until they found the other one. She was inside the house yet, in all the rubble! The PTA at our school actually did a fund raiser for them, even though they had home owners' insurance to cover everything. It was a nice gesture. They are now living in a new development of condos, and they like it there, but miss their old house.

That's the one thing that scares me with my house.. that I have gas heat. It is economical at this point, compared to oil and electric, but gas worries me. Another reason why my fireplace is just sitting there and not used... I just don't trust it!