This is gonna sound ridiculous but...

[Valyrian]

How does one with a fear of fire live with a heat lamp?

Let me explain.
I've had a fear of fire ever since I was six years old when my neighbor's house burned down, and since then it's really taken a toll on me. The smoke detectors and fire alarms freak me out, I used to not be able to even be in the same room as a candle.Luckily I have gotten better, I can sit around candles and campfires, and many others.However that fear is still there, and I still can't sit next to the fire alarm at school. (I still have a slight fear that I'll come home one day my house will be burned down, as weird as that is.)

The reason I bring this up is because of an incident last night. I start going into my room-where all my animals are-when I smell burning plastic. I open the door to find Asriel's heat lamp on a plastic/canvas bottom to a guinea pig cage, and a hazy "smoke" all around the room. My foster kittens must've pulled at the cord while they were running around, knocking it over.
Of course I'm freaked out-I pickup the lamp, I turn the fans on to get rid of the "smoke" and the smell, and check to make sure everyone's okay.
Since then I've been in absolute panic mode. The kittens are confined to a separate room, and anytime they are remotely next to the snake tank I panic. I unplugged the heat lamp last night in sheer panic, and now I really need help.

How do I go on like this? I have severe anxiety but I've been really good these past few months, but now I have to start all over. I'm really freaked out as they nearly started a fire, my worst fear. However, it's wrong to deprive Asriel of heat. Yes he has his UTH, but that doesn't effect the overall air temperature.

I can't get rid of this snake because of my petty fear. I love this little guy with all my heart, and it's wrong to just give him up because of his heat lamp. However it's really wrong to take his heat away. I really want this guy to have the best care I can possibly give him, and my stupid fear of fire and last night's incident is prohibiting this. If they hadn't knocked it down I would've been fine, but now I'm always on edge.
I'm desperate for help. I know none of you are psychologists, but I figured that I'll turn to those who have owned snakes for years have any tips for managing heat lamps.
And just a heads up, I'd rather you not offer 'fire safety' advice? I already know and it actually gives me more anxiety, if that makes any sense.

Thank you in advance.

That doesn't sound ridiculous at all. I can empathise as I nearly died in a bad car crash 6 years ago. God knows how but I escaped with just a broken wrist and everything was fine.

Then 2 months ago I was in my friend's car on the way to work. The car was full and I was in the back. One of the guys has a mild form of Tourettes so he was speaking very loudly in the car. All of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe, I felt trapped and started panicking. I felt like I just had to get out.

Since then I also get that feeling indoors. I literally find it difficult to breathe. I actually went to the doctor because I thought I had a breathing problem but they found nothung wrong.

Anyway the point I'm getting at is that I have some idea of what you're going through but I don't think you should rehome your snake. As mentioned there's many other heating options to use. I also find my baby Burm has a relaxing effect on me and by the sounds of it you love your animals too so they can help you get through any anxiety you may feel.

Look at it that way, your snake is helping you to overcome this.