It happened a week ago, on an ordinary suburban Monday. No one knows exactly why yet, but there are theories: a leaky gas meter, an air conditioner clicking on, a spark that ignited a conflagration. The occupants escaped with their lives, but they lost most everything else.

I live in a neighborhood of two-story and split-level houses. This one was split-level, with a more open floor plan than most. It went quickly, despite the efforts of numerous trucks and firefighters. Neighbors say the smoke was visible miles away, and I still catch a whiff of acrid air from time to time.

The ruined house now stands sentinel on my neighborhood walks. Part of its brick front remains but the garage and rear are mostly gone. Stalactites of charred wood loom eerily from its interior. It’s a sad and bracing reminder of how quickly it can all disappear.

(Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons)