I'll preface my comment s with the obvious disclaimer that I don't know all the ins and outs of the fire service, only what I have been able to observe by being in law enforcement for 21 years. I realize that there are reasons for what they do that I am ignorant of.
The fire service appears to have taken risk avoidance to higher and higher levels, with just this type of outcome. I remember in the past that firemen were much more likely to enter and extinguish a fire, whereas now they seem to be more concerned with keeping the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. Obviously you need to factor in personal danger when it comes to employing fireman, but in the end the job entails some danger that is unavoidable.
In this case, what is the worst that could have happened, the firetruck gets stuck?
I can’t speak to the ARFF guys. I wish they would have gone out there and put the fire out.
I can however speak to structural firefighting.
Both building construction and building contents (the fireload) have changed significantly over the last 30 years. Older stick built houses will stand up to fire longer than newer lightweight construction. Why use lightweight wood frame construction? Simple, it’s cheap. Nothing more, nothing less. Why do older houses stand up longer? The way they are put together. Older houses are constructed out of true 2x4 or larger dimension lumber and either nailed or screwed together. New construction uses smaller dimension lumber, lots of laminates, glues, and gang nails. A lot of the glues and laminates will begin to delaminate prior to having fire impinge them.
The simple version. Think of an old house as a big log on a fire. Think of a new house as a small log on a fire. Which burns quicker? The small one. And when the house falls down, we die. And to be honest. My first priority is going home in the morning to my family.
What about old houses you ask. Well, we fill those with much more stuff and we used to, and its different materials. Same as newer construction, lots of glues and laminates and plastics. They burn faster, hotter and with more dangerous smoke. These fires flash a whole lot faster. Usually before we even arrive.
Example:
If you have any questions. Feel free to ask. Finally something I can speak to on this board.