Tactical Impact: Basement Fires Uncovered

Tactical Impact: Basement Fires Uncovered 
 
Basement fires remain some of the most complex and dangerous incidents firefighters face. FDNY Lieutenant Dan Gordon shares frontline experience and expert analysis featured in Fire Engineering’s June 2025 issue. He breaks down the crucial challenges of identifying basement fires—emphasizing thorough size-up beyond the front door, including the “rule of thirds” for smoke behavior and the critical role of flow paths. Gordon describes how misleading indicators, such as smoke location and wind conditions, can conceal a basement fire and the risks of low-inlet, high-exhaust scenarios. This episode explores structural hazards, such as drop ceilings, and the importance of checking basements for hidden fires to prevent catastrophic collapses. With references to notable incidents such as the Cherry Road fire, Gordon discusses tactics to improve firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.