Answer: Albert Martin included that anecdote to show that even an experienced fire chief was disturbed and affected about what he saw even though he was used to see fires. He took the mouse because it was the only survivor. He was happy that at least something got to survive. This anecdote about fire chief Crocker bringing home a mouse from the remains of the fire serves to remind the reader that even someone like Fire Chief Crocker who was incredibly experienced in fires and had seen many tragedies in his time was very disturbed and bothered by the Triangle Fire.
