Guillermo del Toro almost lost his movie memorabilia in a wildfire. Now, he's letting some of it go

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This image released by Heritage Auctions shows a Ray Harryhausen Cyclops model, an item up for auction from the collection of filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. (Heritage Auctions via AP)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Many fled when wildfires devastated Los Angeles earlier this year , but Guillermo del Toro rushed back in, determined to save his lifelong collection of horror memorabilia.

It's the same loyalty that finds him making another tough decision to protect the items he loves like family: letting some of them go.

Del Toro partnered with Heritage Auctions for a three-part auction to sell a fraction of a collection that is bursting at the seams. Online bidding for the first part on Sept. 26 started Thursday and includes over a hundred items, with more headed to the auction bloc