Definitely a great interpretation of the theme. I love how the line of people act as a health bar - Mark would appreciate the dual purpose of that mechanic. It also allows for the opportunity to add more challenge in a full release. For example, the player gets a higher score for more people saved; this incentivizes not losing any individual, but also opens up the opportunity to try and save trapped characters. Doing so not only increases your time on the level - allowing the fire more time to spread - but it also adds another link in the line of people, adding difficult just like Snake does.
You could even give people abilities; the only example I can think of is that people wearing blue shirts release water when they die, extinguishing the fire a few squares around the line and thereby helping give the line a chance to reach safety.
Another idea for a full release: make the dungeon a puzzle? So there's multiple doors and not all of them lead to safety? Idk, I realize that's a complicated idea, but it's just a thought. Anyways, great submission! (Also, love the name!)