Steerpike didn't hear this conversation at all. He was too busy running at the door.

This plan totally wouldn't work if he couldn't actually rescue the principal.

Finally it gave way, collapsing inward onto the flames and, one hoped, providing a brief break in the fire around the door way. Of course, Steerpike himself managed to fall through as well. Quite close to the fire.

Oh, that was going to hurt.