Questioning... The Seale House

There is one major question I have recently thought about regarding the “Seale House”. So far the book has mainly surrounded the details and past of the children’s childhood through flashbacks in the foster home. But the curiosity is about something not even the deep meaning about the house. My burning question would be is the “Seale House” alive? It seems crazy to make such an accusation but there are a few hints throughout the text that point to this statement being true or enforcing the idea. For example on page 34 it says, “The flames would immediately go out, as if the house was extinguishing the fire”.  And on page 49 it says, “What if the Seale House let me in, but didn't want me to leave?” Both of these examples really create suspense and make the reader wonder if the Seale House was alive in some way. As a reader it excites me to think that this so-far realistic fiction novel could become fantasy, or maybe even science fiction.