History Awesome / TheToweringInferno

* Lisolette actually escapes the Promenade Room before the express elevator becomes unsafe to use, but rather than go to the lobby and safety, she goes to the floor where the Allbright's live, fearing they missed the evacuation order. Sure enough, they did, because the mother is deaf and the elder brother can't stop listening to music in his headphones. While Roberts and Jernigan do the actual rescue, it's seeing Lisolette hammering on the Allbright's door that triggers Roberts and Jernigan to come to the rescue.

* Senator Parker and Mayor Ramsey. Do they sit and do nothing? Do they complain? Nope. Instead they actively assist in the rescue efforts. Tragically, Parker dies while trying to stop Simmons from commandeering the breeches buoy and Ramsey (apparently) dies when the water tanks are blown.

%%* Jim Duncan vs. Roger Simmons.

* Some RealLife examples:
** Both Creator/SteveMcQueenActor and Creator/PaulNewman did most of their own stunts, the former having 7,000 gallons of water dumped on him, the latter climbing up and down the bent stairwell railing. [=McQueen=] also performed the stunt where he leaps off a helicopter onto the top of the burning building against Creator/IrwinAllen's wishes.
** One morning on the stage containing the party/dining room set, the special effects crew began turning on the water pressure to supply the set with fire hoses needed to put out any fires left burning after the ceiling explosions. The set was built on a platform about ten feet above the sound stage floor and the main four-inch-diameter fire hose had to make a bend up and over onto the set. As the film crew waited for everything to be set prior to filming, the high water pressure caused the water hose to suddenly burst, and the pressure forced the hose to twist and turn like a giant snake. One of the special effects crew members, Gary L. King, made a decision to try to contain the hose with a big plastic trash barrel located nearby. As his struggle was being watched by the rest of the film crew, he was trying to protect the cameras and powerful lights from being hit by the spraying water. After about a minute, someone finally jumped in to help him contain the wild fire hose until the water pressure was turned off. The film crew broke into yells and claps of appreciation. Gary turned around to see who had helped him--it was Steve [=McQueen=]. Gary said to the actor, "My wife is not going to believe this", to which [=McQueen=] replied, "Neither is mine."

* When the elevators are having trouble evacuating people fast enough, [[StatingTheSimpleSolution Senator Parker points out that there are two stairways and that 135 floors isn't nearly as unsurpassable a workout when it's all downhill.]] Unfortunately, by then, there's too much smoke in the stairways.

* Chief O'Hallorhan approves of Jernigan's evacuation efforts but also demands a list of business tenants and what they have in their offices to know whether anything wil feed the fire or create poisonous fumes. Later, he stands up to Duncan and delivers an ultimatum to evacuate the party to below the fire floor. Unfortunately, not everyone gets down before the fire spreads.

* Will Giddings sees a security man about to open the door to where the fire has started ([[WhatAnIdiot without touching the door to see if it's hot]]). He winds up [[HeroicSacrifice pushing the guard out of the way]] as he opens the door and takes the blast of fire that comes forth. He dies later from his injuries.

* Will Giddings sees a security man about to open the door to where the fire has started ([[WhatAnIdiot without touching the door to see if it's hot]]). He winds up [[HeroicSacrifice pushing the guard out of the way]] as he opens the door and takes the blast of fire that comes forth. [[spoiler: He dies later from his injuries.]]

* Senator Parker and Mayor Ramsey. Do they sit and do nothing? Do they complain? Nope. Instead they actively assist in the rescue efforts. [[spoiler: Tragically, Parker dies while trying to stop Simmons from commandeering the breeches buoy and Ramsey(apparently) dies when the water tanks are blown.]]
* James Duncan deserves a mention for eventually owning up to his own negligence. When it becomes clear that the fire poses a danger, he makes every effort he can to get people to safety. He also doesn't take any crap from his Jerkass Son-In-Law when he tries to get in the way. [[spoiler: While consoling his daughter, he vows to prevent a repeat of the disaster.]]

** One morning on the stage containing the party/dining room set, the special effects crew began turning on the water pressure to supply the set with fire hoses needed to put out any fires left burning after the ceiling explosions. The set was built on a platform about ten feet above the sound stage floor and the main four-inch-diameter fire hose had to make a bend up and over onto the set. As the film crew waited for everything to be set prior to filming, the high water pressure caused the water hose to suddenly burst, and the pressure forced the hose to twist and turn like a giant snake. One of the special effects crew members, Gary L. King, made a decision to try to contain the hose with a big plastic trash barrel located nearby. As his struggle was being watched by the rest of the film crew, he was trying to protect the cameras and powerful lights from being hit by the spraying water. After about a minute, someone finally jumped in to help him contain the wild fire hose until the water pressure was turned off. The film crew broke into yells and claps of appreciation. Gary turned around to see who had helped him--it was Steve [=McQueen=]. Gar, said to the actor, "My wife is not going to believe this", to which [=McQueen=] replied, "Neither is mine."

* Jim Duncan deserves a mention for eventually owning up to his own negligence. When it becomes clear that the fire poses a danger, he makes every effort he can to get people to safety. He also doesn't take any crap from his Jerkass Son-In-Law when he tries to get in the way. [[spoiler: While consoling his daughter, he vows to prevent a repeat of the disaster.]]

* Senator Parker and the Mayor. Do they sit and do nothing? Do they complain? Nope. Instead they actively assist in the rescue efforts. [[spoiler: Tragically, Parker dies while trying to stop Simmons from commandeering the breeches buoy and the Mayor (apparently) dies when the water tanks are blown.]]

* Doug Roberts gets credit for taking the problems with the electrical wiring seriously from the moment he finds out. Despite Duncan's insistence to the contrary, he and Will stay after hours to personally inspect the building's wiring. After the fire breaks out, he personally briefs and assists the firefighters.

* Senator Parker and the Mayor. Do they sit and do nothing? Do they complain? Nope. Instead they actively assist in the rescue efforts. [[spoiler: Parker dies while trying to stop Simmons from commandeering the breeches buoy.]]
* Jim Duncan deserves a mention for owning up to his own negligence. When it becomes clear that the fire poses a danger, he makes every effort he can to get people to safety. He also doesn't take any crap from his Jerkass Son-In-Law when he tries to get in the way. [[spoiler: While consoling his daughter, he vows to prevent a repeat of the disaster.]]

* Doug Roberts gets credit for discovering the problems with the electrical wiring. Despite Duncan's insistence to the contrary, he and Will stay after hours to personally inspect the building's wiring. After the fire breaks out, he personally briefs and assists the firefighters.

* Jim Duncan deserves a mention for owning up to his own negligence. When it becomes clear that the fire poses a danger, he makes every effort he can to get people to safety. He also doesn't take any crap from his Jerkass Son-In-Law when he tries to get in the way.
[[spoiler: While consoling his daughter, he vows to prevent a repeat of the disaster.]]

* Senator Parker and the Mayor. Do they sit and do nothing? Do they complain? Nope. Instead they actively assist in the rescue efforts. [[spoiler: Parker dies while trying to stop Simmons from commandeering the breaches buoy.]]
* Jim Duncan deserves a mention for finally owning up to his own negligence. When it becomes clear that the fire poses a danger, he makes every effort he can to get people to safety. [[spoiler: While consoling his daughter, he vows to prevent a repeat of the disaster.]]
* Doug Roberts gets credit for discovering the problems with the electrical wiring. Despite Duncan's insistence to the contrary, he and Will stay after hours to personally inspect the building's wiring. After the fire breaks out, he personally briefs and assists the firefighters in their fire-fighting efforts and the rescue effort later.

* Senator Parker and the Mayor. Do they sit and do nothing? Do they complain? Nope. Instead they actively assist in the rescue efforts. [[spoiler: Parker dies while trying to stop Simmons from commandering the breaches buoy.]]
* Jim Duncan deserves a mention for finally owning up to his own neglegence. When it becomes clear that the fire poses a danger, he makes every effort he can to get people to safety. [[spoiler: While consoling his daughter, he vows to prevent a repeat of the disaster.]]
* Doug Roberts gets credit for discovering the problems with the electrical wiring. Desptie Duncan's insistance to the contrary, he and Will stay after hours to personally inspect the building's wiring. After the fire breaks out, he personally briefs and assists the firefighters in their fire-fighting efforts and the recue effort later.

** One morning on the stage containing the party/dining room set, the special effects crew began turning on the water pressure to supply the set with fire hoses needed to put out any fires left burning after the ceiling explosions. The set was built on a platform about ten feet above the sound stage floor and the main four-inch-diameter fire hose had to make a bend up and over onto the set. As the film crew waited for everything to be set prior to filming, the high water pressure caused the water hose to suddenly burst, and the pressure forced the hose to twist and turn like a giant snake. One of the special effects crew members, Gary L. King, made a decision to try to contain the hose with a big plastic trash barrel located nearby. As his struggle was being watched by the rest of the film crew, he was trying to protect the cameras and powerful lights from being hit by the spraying water. After about a minute, someone finally jumped in to help him contain the wild fire hose until the water pressure was turned off. The film crew broke into yells and claps of appreciation. Gary turned around to see who had helped him--it was Steve [=McQueen=]. Gary, said to the actor, "My wife is not going to believe this", to which [=McQueen=] replied, "Neither is mine."

* Doug Roberts gets credit for discovering the problems with the electrical wiring. Desptie Duncan's insistance to the contrary, he and Will stay after hours to personally inspect the building's wiring. After the fire breaks out, he briefs and assists the firefighters in their fire-fighting efforts and the recue effort later.

* Will Giddings sees a security man about to open the door to where the fire has started ([[WhatAnIdiot without touching the door to see if it's hot]]). He winds up [[HeroicSacrifice pushing the guard out of the way]] as he opens the door and takes the fatal blast of fire that comes forth. [[spoiler: He dies later from his injuries.]]

** During filming an actual fire broke out on one of the sets and Creator/SteveMcQueenActor found himself briefly helping real firemen put it out.
** Both [=McQueen=] and Creator/PaulNewman did most of their own stunts, the former having 7,000 gallons of water dumped on him, the latter climbing up and down the bent stairwell railing. [=McQueen=] also performed the stunt where he leaps off a helicopter onto the top of the burning building against Creator/IrwinAllen's wishes.

** During filming an actual fire broke out on one of the sets and Creator/SteveMcQueen found himself briefly helping real firemen put it out. One of the firemen, not recognizing McQueen, said to the actor, "My wife is not going to believe this", to which McQueen replied, "Neither is mine."
** Both [=McQueen=] and Creator/PaulNewman did most of their own stunts, the former having 7,000 gallons of water dumped on him, the latter climbing up and down the bent stairwell railing. [=McQueen=] also performed the stunt where he leaps off a helicopter onto the top of the burning building against Irwin Allen's wishes.
** One morning on the stage containing the party/dining room set, the special effects crew began turning on the water pressure to supply the set with fire hoses needed to put out any fires left burning after the ceiling explosions. The set was built on a platform about ten feet above the sound stage floor and the main four-inch-diameter fire hose had to make a bend up and over onto the set. As the film crew waited for everything to be set prior to filming, the high water pressure caused the water hose to suddenly burst, and the pressure forced the hose to twist and turn like a giant snake. One of the special effects crew members, Gary L. King, made a decision to try to contain the hose with a big plastic trash barrel located nearby. As his struggle was being watched by the rest of the film crew, he was trying to protect the cameras and powerful lights from being hit by the spraying water. After about a minute, someone finally jumped in to help him contain the wild fire hose until the water pressure was turned off. The film crew broke into yells and claps of appreciation. Gary turned around to see who had helped him--it was Steve [=McQueen=].

* When the scenic elevator is rescued.
* When a fresh band of firefighters arrive on the scene, the Chief asks for two volunteers to go up the staircase to help some people. Without hesitation, every firefighter steps forward.
* Rappelling down a broken staircase with two kids and a middle-aged woman.
* Jim Duncan vs. Roger Simmons.

** One morning on the stage containing the party/dining room set, the special effects crew began turning on the water pressure to supply the set with fire hoses needed to put out any fires left burning after the ceiling explosions. The set was built on a platform about ten feet above the sound stage floor and the main four-inch-diameter fire hose had to make a bend up and over onto the set. As the film crew waited for everything to be set prior to filming, the high water pressure caused the water hose to suddenly burst, and the pressure forced the hose to twist and turn like a giant snake. One of the special effects crew members, Gary L. King, made a decision to try to contain the hose with a big plastic trash barrel located nearby .As his struggle was being watched by the rest of the film crew, he was trying to protect the cameras and powerful lights from being hit by the spraying water. After about a minute, someone finally jumped in to help him contain the wild fire hose until the water pressure was turned off. The film crew broke into yells and claps of appreciation. Gary turned around to see who had helped him--it was [=McQueen=]

* Rappelling down a broken staircase with two kids and a middle-aged woman.
* Jim Duncan vs. Roger Simmons.