What alerted firefighters outside the building to the catastrophic event that occurred?

The sudden eruption of fire, smoke, and gases out of the structure serves as a critical and vivid indicator of a catastrophic event for firefighters outside a building. This kind of visual and physical manifestation typically signals an immediate and severe escalation in the situation, often indicating that an uncontrolled fire has developed within. Firefighters are trained to recognize these signs, which can inform their rapid response and tactical decisions to address the emergency effectively.

In many fire incidents, visual cues such as flames, smoke plumes, or the discharge of gases can provide instant information regarding the severity of the situation. These elements can affect the safety and approach of responding crews, signaling whether to implement evacuation procedures or to escalate firefighting efforts. Therefore, the observation of such a dramatic event plays a pivotal role in assessing the nature of the emergency and ensuring a swift and safe response.