Here we have a one story structure that indicates that it is an auto body repair shop. It is in the daytime, but we don't know what day. That's important because one of the first things you want to do is locate the owner and get that truck out of the way.

Now what else can we read in this photo?

Well, we have a building within which there is a fire. Where is it located? Well, if you look at the hottest spot — where it burned through the roof — you would expect to find most of the seat of the fire: two-thirds of the way in from side A.

The fire is through the roof and is helping us control the envelope by self ventilation. However, you need more information; and that firefighter on the roof in the left of the picture is the one to ask.

1. What kind of roof do you think you are on (preplan information will help on this one)? If it is lightweight metal, parallel-cord truss assemblies holding up "Q" decking, you'd better prepare for collapse; and the roof becomes a danger zone, too risky for additional operations.

2. Is there a local collapse of the roof assembly that this firefighter can see?

3. Is this built as a one-story building or an extension to one. The give-away here is the roof line. It appears from the photo that the area enclosing the roll-up door may be taller than the extension to the left. If that is the case, you have a stronger building than you thought and the remnants of a fire wall (the old exterior bearing wall to help you, but, with your luck, probably not. But it is worth asking).

4. Get a sense of the shape of the structure that you cannot see.

Now what about that roll-down door? You have a small-diameter line charged and through the door that opens outward (not normal). There is also a line that appears to be larger than 1¾-inches in the picture. Charge it!

Now back to the door. How do you operate it? It looks like from inside, with the use of a switch or chain and that should be located just inside the open doorway. How do we know this?

Well, there are no padlocks on it; so it is not a manual type opened from the outside. There are no locks and no chain assembly either. The only other possibility is that it is a key-operated, electric roll-down door; but ... if that is the case, there would be a large enclosed box holding the motor and clutch outside the building on the right side where the blue mark is.

Now that you have the computer under your helmet going, make an effort to get to the mechanism after the line is in position and protecting the searchers.

If the door is opened, conditions will relieve and may "suck" flame front toward it. That is what the charged 2½-inch hose is for.

Let's think about a few things.

If you are beginning to mount a momentary interior attack from this position, what is on the other side directly to the rear? Who is there, and what do they report?

A very remote possibility — because the entrance door opens outward — is that you are at the rear of the structure. But it is just something to think about.

But once the line is beginning to operate, you must account for openings opposite the entrance side. Be sure to send some mauls and some power-saw equipment to this location for success to be assured.

Command can take a chance with direct attack but must be prepared to shift for any one of many reasons:

1. Collapse signs must be monitored and recorded. Many are just indicators to keep checking, but some, like moving cracks, bulges in the wall, noises, and truss assemblies, are mayday messages from command to get out of the structure.

2. Storage and use of flammable, combustible or explosive materials must be found, assumed and recorded. Paints, thinners, plastics, resins, and acetylene and gasoline are usual.

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