And as it did so.

Gavin regained the fallen key.
Wheeling about choking and strangling from the smoke, his streamingly smarting eyes barely able to discern the fiery trail he had laid.

Brice ran through the midst of the red line of embers to the door.

Reaching it he held the key in one hand while the sensitive fingers of the other sought the keyhole.
After what seemed a century he found it, and applied and turned the key in the stiff lock.

With a fierce shove he pushed open the door.