Delmar and Carol Benson, of California, lost the treasures and family possessions of a lifetime when their shed burned down while they were on vacation.

The Fire

"We were out of town staying in our motor home up at our camp. It was Father's Day, and we called down to our son who was at our house. He said, 'The shed just burned down.'

"The way I understand it, my son had lit a citronella candle by the door of the old shed. He came inside to get a drink of water and sandwich, and when he came back out the shed was on fire.

"He grabbed the big fire extinguisher that we had out there and walked barefoot straight into the fire and started spraying it. There were some propane camping cylinders in there that were on fire and they blew. It's a wonder he wasn't killed.

"Three neighbors and our son were all hosing the shed down as the firemen came. The firemen said he saved the house by starting to put the fire out with the extinguisher and the hoses."

On Losing Valued Treasures

Delmar: "In the shed, I'd brought home most of the stuff from my classroom because I intended to move on to the Vice Principal job and stop teaching. I had all my artifacts and all my things I had been collecting for 20-30 years in boxes in the shed.

"I bought a military hat from the Through Russian Eyes exhibit in San Diego. It had the Russian emblem on it. It was a general's hat, and I used it in an exhibit for the students. It was quite valuable. But that melted and was gone. I didn't see it again.

"I studied in Spain and took many pictures of 16 different cities. Our professor knew a priest who was a caretaker at a monastery. We got to go down in the hidden chambers below the private chapel where the King and Queen of Spain used to have services. The normal tourist doesn't get to see these things. Those pictures were burned, too.

"History, artifacts, treasures of a lifetime. It just goes on and on. It just takes your breath away. This trauma was very deep and emotional."

On The Lasting Effects Of A Fire

Carol: "We are just generally more cautious. Before we get in the car, we double-check everything. Fans, TV, electric appliances — all turned off. Nothing is plugged in unless you are there watching, listening or smelling.

"We make sure no one smokes and throws ashes into the trash can. We put them in the sink in foil and put water in them. No ashtrays are left out, and no one can smoke while we are gone."

What You Can Learn From The Bensons' Experience Don't leave burning candles unattended, especially near combustible or flammable materials, even outdoors. Use a portable fire extinguisher to put out a small, confined fire only if you know when and how to use one properly. Before you begin to fight a fire, be certain everyone has left (or is leaving) the building, and the fire department has been or is being called. Consider storing important papers and heirlooms in a fire-resistant home safe or bank deposit box.

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