Probationary firefighter Jack Morrison matures into a seasoned veteran of the Baltimore Fire Departmant under the watchful eye of his mentor Chief Mike Kennedy. Responding to the worst blaze in his career, he becomes trapped inside a 20-story building. As Jack reflects on his life--seeing his first fire, bonding with fellow firefighters, the impact his job has had on his wife and kids--Chief Kennedy frantically coordinates the effort to save Jack's life.