The alarm at Firehouse 51 went off just after 2:30 in the afternoon.
The kind of call that instantly set the entire house into motion.
"Truck 81, Squad 3, Engine 51, Battalion 25 — respond to a reported structure fire. Multiple callers. Industrial warehouse, West Fulton."
Within seconds boots were pounding across the apparatus floor.
Matt Casey grabbed his turnout coat and helmet in one smooth motion, already moving toward the truck.
"Let's go!" he called.
Around him the familiar rhythm of the house kicked in.
Kelly Severide jogged toward Squad with his usual calm confidence.
"Warehouse fire," Severide muttered. "That's never good."
"Let's hope it's contained," Casey replied.
They both knew better.
Large warehouses meant three things:
Fuel
Unstable structures
And fires that could go from manageable to catastrophic in seconds.
The rigs roared to life.
Sirens screaming.
Chicago traffic parted as Firehouse 51 tore down the streets toward the call.
Smoke was visible long before they arrived.
A thick black column rising into the gray winter sky.
Casey leaned forward in the passenger seat, eyes narrowing as the massive warehouse came into view.
"Jesus..."
Flames were already licking out of shattered windows on the second floor.
Several fire engines from other houses were already on scene.
And firefighters were everywhere.
Lines pulled.
Ladders being raised.
Command barking orders.
As Truck 81 rolled to a stop, Casey hopped down and scanned the scene.
Then he noticed something.
Another engine crew was already deep inside the structure.
Their jackets marked:
FIREHOUSE 116
Severide walked up beside him, eyes on the burning building.
"Looks like 116 got here first."
Casey nodded.
"Let's back them up."
Orders came quickly from Battalion.
"Truck 81, interior search team! Engine 51 assist with fire attack!"
Casey didn't hesitate.
"Let's move!"
The heat hit them the moment they crossed the threshold.
Inside the warehouse the fire had already taken hold.
Crates stacked high along the walls were burning fast, feeding the flames.
The smoke was thick.
Visibility nearly zero.
Casey crouched low as he moved forward with his team.
"Stay tight!" he shouted.
Through the smoke he could hear another crew working deeper inside.
Axes striking wood.
