It was an... interesting... evening. The fire department got there, eventually made it in and got the fire out, pulled one of the cats out from deep hiding hissing, spitting and generally attacking anything and everything. She calmed right down when I got ahold of her, thank goodness, and the other kitty came out of hiding after the first round of commotion was over and I got back in and popped a can of food.
In round one, for those keeping score, the fire department broke out the bathroom window and tossed a bunch of stuff out the window, knocked out the fire, then assured me it was out according to their fancy thermal scanner, and I was safe going back in after things and kitty #2.
BUT... they forgot to check the stuff out the window. Round two was that pile (mostly clothing and books) going up in flames on the OUTSIDE of the window. This resulted in another session of flashing lights, strange noises, and half the town watching my underwear burn as the ancient Doug firs and side of the equally ancient barn I live in got toasted by flames shooting up the side of the building.
Insurance is a good thing. It means everything I own is being removed from my house, sorted, cleaned, and returned in boxes. Let me tell you, 20 years of less than stellar housekeeping, plus various other moderately good excuses, can lead to a lot of clutter. So help sorting is going to make a huge difference going forward, but meanwhile back at the ranch, misery.