The Baudelaire children have been orphaned. Their parents have been killed in a fire in their mansion. The series began in the book "The Bad Beginning." Violet, Klaus, and Sunny's parents died leaving them to be orphans. The parents where killed by a fire. The Baudelaire children were sent to live with their distant cousin, Count Olaf. The fire had destroyed the mansion and pretty much everything inside of it. The children learn that Olaf has only accepted their guardianship under the mistaken belief that he will receive their inheritance which, has been set aside until Violet turns 18. When Olaf learns that he will not receive the Baudelaire fortune, he immediately drops all friendliness toward the children.Olaf is sinister, and unhygienic; he has a tattoo of the glaring eye on his left ankle and a humongous uni-brow. As soon as the children escape from Count Olaf, they realize he is back! Count Olaf will now follow the kids on all the adventures they have. Count Olaf will do anything to get the Baudelaire fortune.
This is a scene from the movie in which the children visit their rumbled, broken, ransacked house.