Joy In Hell
by GCS
Chapter Three
The haggard group filed down the hallway into the reception area. Roy checked the door before leading the group into the hallway and over to the stairwell. As they passed quickly through the heated area they saw how closely they had come to burning that day. The office manager gripped the petite receptionist's elbow as she faltered when she saw the flames curling across the ceiling as though it reached for them when they passed. When the hand she had been holding the damp cloth to her face fell to her side, he reached down and lifted it back into place. Then he gently prodded her into the door across the hall that led to safety.
The fire had progressed down the long hallway. It was now mere feet from where they passed. Roy hurried them into the stairwell. Once again his eyes met Johnny's and the urgency he felt was seen in his partner's eyes. As he ducked into the door to lead the group up the narrow flight of stairs he saw Johnny pull the office door shut and put an X on it signifying that everyone was out, just in case other rescue workers had to come looking for other victims. Though it was doubtful anyone else would be sent into this fire, that was part of their job, and he and Johnny were two of the best.
The group hesitated only long enough for Johnny to join them and pull the stairwell door shut. Then they began their trek to the roof. It didn't take long. It was only two stories up.
As they emerged onto the roof Roy advised the office workers to keep the cloths over their faces. There was still a lot of smoke in the air. He pointed the group over to the side of the roof and lifted the HT. "HT 51 to Engine 51"
"Engine 51" Hank answered, relief evident in his voice.
"We're on the roof."
"Chopper is five minutes out Roy. Suggest north side of structure for air rescue. Snorkel on its way up as well."
"10-4" Roy tucked the HT back into the pocket of his turnouts. When he looked up again he saw Johnny slamming the roof top door. He raised his hand in a circular motion letting Johnny know a chopper was in route. Johnny nodded and looked up to the smoky sky. He pointed at a beacon of light barely visible through the smoke. They both moved over to the group of people and explained the plan. The receptionist would be lifted first, then the men one at a time. If the snorkel basket got there in time anyone still on the roof would go down that way.
The center of the roof had already begun to show signs of weakness.
As the chopper hovered above, the harness slowly lowered. Although things happened quickly, to the people waiting to be lifted to safety, things seemed to be moving in slow motion. The group of five again huddled closely, arms around each other, fear was evident on their weary faces, fear that the harness would not get down in time for each of them to be lifted off of the building they knew couldn't last much longer. The overwhelming heat radiated from beneath their feet.
Johnny kept a wary eye on the now bubbling tar that once lay smoothly across the expanse. He kept herding the small group closer together and against the half wall that separated the roof from the open air.
Roy helped the first man into the harness while keeping an eye on the other three who looked like they might jump at the chance to latch onto the cable that ran up to the chopper above. He and Johnny both knew from experience that people in situations like this could freak out at any moment and do something stupid, jeopardizing themselves and others to try to escape.
Johnny tapped Roy's shoulder and pointed to the hole that had opened up in the middle of the black bubbling tar, just as the harness came within reach once again. With three more victims to rescue, he quickly secured the next into the harness and signaled the crew above. Reaching for the HT he radioed the chopper requesting that they send the last two up together.
Now the slow motion seemed to merge into a fast paced race to safety. The chopper crewmen had the man out of the harness, and were sending it back down as fast as they could. The last two men stood staring at the hole that grew in front of them as the seconds ticked by. Both Johnny and Roy reached for the harness and secured the two final victims into it. They stood side by side and watched as the objects of their efforts were raised to safety. Neither man looked back at the sagging roof not far behind where they stood. The chopper could not send the harness back down for them. There was no room.
They watched as the chopper turned and flew away, disappearing into the thick black cloud of smoke.
Blue eyes met brown.
Years of friendship glistened in the now damp eyes.
Roy reached out his hand and gripped Johnny's shoulder.
Johnny's hand did the same and found Roy's.
The two men pulled each other into a brotherly hug that spoke volumes of their feelings for one another.
They had done their job, and done it well. None of the victims of this fire would perish today. They had gotten everyone out.
It was only after they stepped back from the silent embrace that they dared look to the deteriorating rooftop. They moved as close to the wall as they could. Both men gripped the ledge and waited. They would hold on to the wall as long as they could when the floor beneath them fell.
Just as the roof buckled the white stripe of a Captain's helmet appeared over the top of the wall, and a hand reached out to Roy. He took his Captain's arm and stepped up onto the ledge and into the basket, but not before extending his other hand to his partner.
The fire had progressed down the long hallway. It was now mere feet from where they passed. Roy hurried them into the stairwell. Once again his eyes met Johnny's and the urgency he felt was seen in his partner's eyes. As he ducked into the door to lead the group up the narrow flight of stairs he saw Johnny pull the office door shut and put an X on it signifying that everyone was out, just in case other rescue workers had to come looking for other victims. Though it was doubtful anyone else would be sent into this fire, that was part of their job, and he and Johnny were two of the best.
The group hesitated only long enough for Johnny to join them and pull the stairwell door shut. Then they began their trek to the roof. It didn't take long. It was only two stories up.
As they emerged onto the roof Roy advised the office workers to keep the cloths over their faces. There was still a lot of smoke in the air. He pointed the group over to the side of the roof and lifted the HT. "HT 51 to Engine 51"
"Engine 51" Hank answered, relief evident in his voice.
"We're on the roof."
"Chopper is five minutes out Roy. Suggest north side of structure for air rescue. Snorkel on its way up as well."
"10-4" Roy tucked the HT back into the pocket of his turnouts. When he looked up again he saw Johnny slamming the roof top door. He raised his hand in a circular motion letting Johnny know a chopper was in route. Johnny nodded and looked up to the smoky sky. He pointed at a beacon of light barely visible through the smoke. They both moved over to the group of people and explained the plan. The receptionist would be lifted first, then the men one at a time. If the snorkel basket got there in time anyone still on the roof would go down that way.
The center of the roof had already begun to show signs of weakness.
As the chopper hovered above, the harness slowly lowered. Although things happened quickly, to the people waiting to be lifted to safety, things seemed to be moving in slow motion. The group of five again huddled closely, arms around each other, fear was evident on their weary faces, fear that the harness would not get down in time for each of them to be lifted off of the building they knew couldn't last much longer. The overwhelming heat radiated from beneath their feet.
Johnny kept a wary eye on the now bubbling tar that once lay smoothly across the expanse. He kept herding the small group closer together and against the half wall that separated the roof from the open air.
Roy helped the first man into the harness while keeping an eye on the other three who looked like they might jump at the chance to latch onto the cable that ran up to the chopper above. He and Johnny both knew from experience that people in situations like this could freak out at any moment and do something stupid, jeopardizing themselves and others to try to escape.
Johnny tapped Roy's shoulder and pointed to the hole that had opened up in the middle of the black bubbling tar, just as the harness came within reach once again. With three more victims to rescue, he quickly secured the next into the harness and signaled the crew above. Reaching for the HT he radioed the chopper requesting that they send the last two up together.
Now the slow motion seemed to merge into a fast paced race to safety. The chopper crewmen had the man out of the harness, and were sending it back down as fast as they could. The last two men stood staring at the hole that grew in front of them as the seconds ticked by. Both Johnny and Roy reached for the harness and secured the two final victims into it. They stood side by side and watched as the objects of their efforts were raised to safety. Neither man looked back at the sagging roof not far behind where they stood. The chopper could not send the harness back down for them. There was no room.
They watched as the chopper turned and flew away, disappearing into the thick black cloud of smoke.
Blue eyes met brown.
Years of friendship glistened in the now damp eyes.
Roy reached out his hand and gripped Johnny's shoulder.
Johnny's hand did the same and found Roy's.
The two men pulled each other into a brotherly hug that spoke volumes of their feelings for one another.
They had done their job, and done it well. None of the victims of this fire would perish today. They had gotten everyone out.
It was only after they stepped back from the silent embrace that they dared look to the deteriorating rooftop. They moved as close to the wall as they could. Both men gripped the ledge and waited. They would hold on to the wall as long as they could when the floor beneath them fell.
Just as the roof buckled the white stripe of a Captain's helmet appeared over the top of the wall, and a hand reached out to Roy. He took his Captain's arm and stepped up onto the ledge and into the basket, but not before extending his other hand to his partner.
