But there was no mistaking a house on fire when you saw one.

People in a burning house, moreover, would be likely to give every facility possible for their own rescue, and the chances were one would not find many competitors to deprive one of the glory.

On the whole, I warmed up to this new opening considerably.
Of course one never has the good fortune to have a fire in one's own house when it is wanted.

It would have been exceedingly convenient for me to have to rescue my own family from the flames.

As it was, I had to spend a good many dreary nights in the street in the neighbourhood of the fire alarms before I so much as smelt fire.
It was a good one when it came.