Fires that start in a basement 

can spread vertically up walls to 

attic or cockloft due to a lack of 

fire wall or fire stops

1

5 3

2

Windows, doors, and openings can 

create flow paths and spread fire

Vertical pipe chases 

often lack fire stops

1

2

6

4

2

Horizontal and 

vertical fire spread in 

attic or cockloft

A, C, D, E, F

A, B, D, E

A, E, G

2

ROW HOUSE FIREFIGHTING TACTICS

FIREFIGHTERS

STAY SAFE

FOLLOW THESE 

6 TACTICS

If interior 

unit, size-up 

Sides A and C; 

locate fire and 

extent; send 

resources to 

Side C

A. Fight fire on the level

of the fire (exterior

attack may be most

effective initially)

B. Protect search

C. Basement window

or door

D. Side C through alley

or adjoining house

E. Backup hoseline ready

F. Use cellar nozzle to

get water into below

grade areas

G. Use piercing or cockloft

nozzle to get water into

void spaces

Coordinate 

ventilation 

with fire 

attack

Send 

resources 

inside to 

Exposure 

B and D

Send resources 

and charged 

hoseline to 

attic or cockloft 

to check for 

extension

Position ground 

ladders to all 

upper floor 

windows; use 

caution around 

utility wires

6

Note: Numbered tactics are not prioritized.

TYPICAL FEATURES

NARROW WINDOWS

FRONT STOOP (STEPS) 

leads to street

2ND & 3RD FLOOR ‛BAY’ 

3 or more windows that

extend from the structure

ORNATE CORNICES

SINGLE SLOPING ROOF

modest ornate wood

or brick cornice

SINGLE RUN, STEEP STAIRS

LONG, NARROW HALLWAYS

WALKOUT BASEMENT

BASEMENT and/or CELLAR

used for storage

CELLAR

only accessible from 

the basement

BALLOON

frame construction

BUILDING PERIOD 

late 1800s to early 1900s

BRICK EXTERIOR WALLS

SOLID WOOD BEAM

floor joists and roof rafters

PLASTER and LATH

over wood framing

TYPE III CONSTRUCTION

!

Conduct a community risk 

assessment to understand 

unique features of row 

houses in your jurisdiction. 

Row house modernization 

efforts may mean the 

exterior is refaced and 

interior has a different floor 

plan. Materials used for 

modernization or new row 

house construction may 

burn more quickly.

Don’t underestimate the danger to firefighters 

when fighting a row house fire. Access to the 

rear of the property is a major challenge. 

Basement and cellar fires in row houses have 

resulted in many line of duty deaths. You must 

be diligent and prepare as though you’re going 

to a fire each time you report for duty.

Assistant Chief Harry Bannan

Philadelphia Fire Department, Platoon D

"

"

"

"

Basic skills – quick, proficient 

hoseline deployment and 

advancement – aggressive 

searches. Firefighters must 

perform these skills effectively 

when fighting row home fires.

Firefighter Vincent DeNisio

Wilmington, DE Fire Department, 

Squad 4 

MORE INFORMATION cdc.gov/niosh/fire/

Acknowledgements: Assistant Chief Bannan and the Philadelphia Fire 

Department and Firefighter DeNisio and the Wilmington, DE Fire Department 

for their support with this material.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @NIOSH

UL Basement Fire Video

DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No.2020-118 (revised Feb. 2021) • https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020118brevised012021 | March 2020 (revised Feb. 2021)

Sample 1st Floor Plan

40′

15′ 5.5′′

Front Entrance

A

B

C

D

1 2 Hoseline deployment: 3 4 5

EXTERIOR "

ROW HOUSE

INTERIOR"

ROW HOUSE

CONSTRUCTION "

AND MATERIALS

12′– 24′ wide

4m– 6m

1,000 sq ft-1,500 sq ft total

93 sq m-139 sq m

Some row 

houses have a 

cellar below the 

basement level

40′– 80′ long 

12m– 24m