This story unfolds by introducing the audience to the fireman working at Engine House No.8.
One of the firemen is veteran Frank ‘Dad’ Morton played by Jean Hersholt. ‘
Dad’ Morton is a widower.
Though alone, he has assumed the responsibility of trying to raise his two motherless children – a girl and her younger brother Jimmy.
The children love hanging around the engine house with their dad.
The children are especially fond of firemen Dan played by James Hall and 'Beauty' Johnson played Paul Hurst.

Suddenly, the fire alarm sounds.
 All the firemen quickly board their firetrucks and depart to fight the fire.
At the scene of the fire, ‘Dad’ Morton dies while battling the flames.
 His death leaves his two children orphans.
The children are scheduled to go to the local orphanage.
Dan and Beauty have an alternate plan for the kids.
They offer to adopt the two children.
 Because they are bachelors, the local authorities reject their proposal.
The children are sent to the orphanage until they become of age.
Both Dan and Beauty start pursuing another avenue to adopt the kids.
Both firemen, while keeping it from each other, decide to get married.

The years pass, and we find Dan has proposed to Neeta played by Mary Doran.
Neeta accepts Dan's marriage proposal. '
Dad' Morton's daughter has now grown into a beautiful young woman.
The daughter, played by Anita Louise, still lives at the orphanage.
Now, she finds out about Dan’s engagement to Neeta.
She has always had a secret fondness for Dan.
She becomes heartbroken.
Neeta senses Milly Morton's fascination with Dan is deeper than plain friendship.
Prompted by forces, Dan does not understand; he makes a trip to the orphanage.
One thing leads to another; the orphanage matron calls the police.
Dan is taken into custody for contributing to the delinquency of minors.
Dan pays his bail and is released.
 Thinking about his actions, Dan starts to understand his true feelings for Milly.
 Meanwhile, the fire chief suspends Dan's from duty.

The scene switches to the orphanage where someone is ironing clothes.
They are called away and inadvertently leave the iron directly on the ironing board.
 It catches fire.
The ironing board fire soon builds into a much more massive fire.
 Soon the orphanage is engulfed in flames.
The burning building has turned into a three-alarm fire.

The fire alarm starts ringing at Engine House No 8.
 The men jump into their firetrucks and head to the orphanage.
 Dan finds out the orphanage is on fire and even though he's suspended from duty, heads out to fight the blaze.

Dan arrives at the scene of the fire.
He realizes the children, including ‘Dad’ kids, cannot escape the burning orphanage.
Dan rushes into the blazing inferno saving all of the trapped children.
While saving the children, Dan comes to realize he loves Milly Morton.
After the blaze is extinguished, Dan tells Milly how he feels.
Dan and Milly eventually get engaged.
As it turns out, 'Beauty' Johnson also finds love in the end.
This story unfolds by introducing the audience to the fireman working at Engine House No.8. One of the firemen is veteran Frank ‘Dad’ Morton played by Jean Hersholt. ‘Dad’ Morton is a widower. Though alone, he has assumed the responsibility of trying to raise his two motherless children – a girl and her younger brother Jimmy. The children love hanging around the engine house with their dad. The children are especially fond of firemen Dan played by James Hall and 'Beauty' Johnson played Paul Hurst.
Suddenly, the fire alarm sounds.  All the firemen quickly board their firetrucks and depart to fight the fire. At the scene of the fire, ‘Dad’ Morton dies while battling the flames.  His death leaves his two children orphans. The children are scheduled to go to the local orphanage. Dan and Beauty have an alternate plan for the kids. They offer to adopt the two children.  Because they are bachelors, the local authorities reject their proposal. The children are sent to the orphanage until they become of age. Both Dan and Beauty start pursuing another avenue to adopt the kids. Both firemen, while keeping it from each other, decide to get married.
The years pass, and we find Dan has proposed to Neeta played by Mary Doran. Neeta accepts Dan's marriage proposal. 'Dad' Morton's daughter has now grown into a beautiful young woman. The daughter, played by Anita Louise, still lives at the orphanage. Now, she finds out about Dan’s engagement to Neeta. She has always had a secret fondness for Dan. She becomes heartbroken. Neeta senses Milly Morton's fascination with Dan is deeper than plain friendship. Prompted by forces, Dan does not understand; he makes a trip to the orphanage. One thing leads to another; the orphanage matron calls the police. Dan is taken into custody for contributing to the delinquency of minors. Dan pays his bail and is released.  Thinking about his actions, Dan starts to understand his true feelings for Milly.  Meanwhile, the fire chief suspends Dan's from duty.
The scene switches to the orphanage where someone is ironing clothes. They are called away and inadvertently leave the iron directly on the ironing board.  It catches fire. The ironing board fire soon builds into a much more massive fire.  Soon the orphanage is engulfed in flames. The burning building has turned into a three-alarm fire.
The fire alarm starts ringing at Engine House No 8.  The men jump into their firetrucks and head to the orphanage.  Dan finds out the orphanage is on fire and even though he's suspended from duty, heads out to fight the blaze.
Dan arrives at the scene of the fire. He realizes the children, including ‘Dad’ kids, cannot escape the burning orphanage. Dan rushes into the blazing inferno saving all of the trapped children. While saving the children, Dan comes to realize he loves Milly Morton. After the blaze is extinguished, Dan tells Milly how he feels. Dan and Milly eventually get engaged. As it turns out, 'Beauty' Johnson also finds love in the end.
The Third Alarm