What Would Your Character Save in a Fire?

Currently listening to "Things We Lost in the Fire" by Janet Devlin 

I've never been one of those people who could do character analysis sheets before they started writing the book. Or rather, I've never been able to do them well...I leave so many slots blank that I might as well have never started the thing. I have to write the first draft and learn about the characters through that before I can answer questions like "What was their mother's sister's aunt's husband's goldfish's name?". (It was Artemis.)

That being said, at some point, I do have to figure out major things about them like their backstory, motivations for their actions, and what they value most in life. Today, I challenge you to look at your characters and figure out the following: 

If a fire broke out in your character's home/workplace/castle, what is the first thing they would think to save? 

Would it be a person? A pet? A beloved jacket that they've had since they were ten years old? If you're having trouble figuring out what's important to your character, answering this question may help you out. 

Here's a few variations of the question that I'm now coming up with on the spot, because sometimes when I get my brain moving it doesn't turn off: 

Would your character sacrifice themselves to save that valued item?

If your character couldn't save that valued item, how would they react? Would they grieve, or simply shrug it off as an annoyance? 

Who set the fire in the first place? Was it...*gasp*...your character? 

Now go forth, writer. Allow your muse to take hold of your mind and take its sweet time about letting go. 

Quinlyn