When a large fire breaks out in the middle of a Christmas party at the chemical company Microtech, firemen Pete and Daniel, along with second pair of firefighters in another part of the building, are tasked with saving civilians, putting out fires, and removing an explosive chemical called MDL from the basement of the facility.
The characters in the game put out fires using hoses with the ability to shoot a direct stream or have a more proximate spray and fire-extinguishing bombs. Use of the fire extinguisher is unlimited although continues are limited in number to 3. Pete takes damage from fire and extreme heat, and when the life gauge reaches zero, and there are not anymore continues, the game is over. Each level has a "boss fire" that has a specific way of being extinguished. There are also civilians who were not able to escape throughout the levels, and saving them partially restores the player's life gauge.
The player controls Pete Grey, who is joined by his partner, Daniel McClean. Daniel is invincible and provides backup to Pete. Other characters include fellow firefighters Max and Walter, who are fighting fires in another part of the building, Winona, who communicates advice and missions to the firefighters, and Frank Weller, architect of the Metrotech building.
