Since 2012, Chicago Fire has captured the lives of the fictional heroes of the Chicago Fire Department. Produced by Dick Wolf and Wolf

Entertainment, the show’s success has spawned other series that live in the same cinematic universe, “One Chicago,” including Chicago

P.D., Chicago Med, and Chicago Justice. When it comes to Firehouse 51, the action is non-stop. Over the course of 13 seasons, fans have

 

 

watched their favorite characters experience everything. From explosions to tornadoes to, well, fires, the intensity of the stories is palpable. They pack some heat! Pun intended.

Whether it be a singularly contained episode or one of the many high-octane crossover episodes, Chicago Fire has played host to some of network television‘s most intense episodes. Heartbreak, death, and destruction are key factors in these shocking television moments. It’s time to journey through Chicago Fire and the show’s extraordinary episodes that have kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

Get ready! A tornado is devastating Chicago Fire! After a health scare, firefighter Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) is back after a bit of a health scare. With a banner to welcome him back, the fanfare is short-lived as tornado conditions are threatening the windy city, including in Herrmann’s neighborhood. With the call already featuring some heartbreaking moments, including a woman searching for her husband, who had already been found dead, and a boy with his glass in his back searching for his parents trapped in a burning apartment, Herrmann is thrown deep into the action, despite being shaken by the events.

 

 

Meanwhile, Jessica “Chili” Chilton (Dora Madison) learns that her sister had been found dead, though some of the Firehouse 51 do not call her erratic behavior an excuse for her recent actions. Her verbal assault on Jimmy Borrelli (Steven R. McQueen) following their breakup was simply uncalled-for, regardless of grief. When it reached the point of nearly killing a victim, many were worried this could be Chili’s last straw. She was her own windstorm in a highly stressful episode. Though the tornado’s aftermath caused immense destruction for Chicago, the reality of the damage made the episode’s intensity feel quite real.

Usually, when you watch a fictional series, and you witness an event that might scare you, should you be caught in a similar situation, you get a glimpse of the resolution. Many people fear being trapped in an elevator. But what if you happen to be stuck in an elevator while the building is on fire? You might hope the firefighters are called in to save the day. During this Season 9 episode, building manager Holly (Baize Buzan) and construction contractor Trevor (Brian King) end up being trapped in an elevator whose cable snapped, alongside the firefighters they called to save the day.

Hermann and Joe Cruz (Joe Miñoso) do everything in their power to calm Holly and tend to Trevor’s broken leg, all while trying to radio out for help. The intensity of the episode was centered around a real fear and the terror built aound the traumatic situation. Things continue to get worse. Between smoke seeping in, causing Holly to panic and electrocute herself, and a near-fire starting inside the shaft, Chicago Fire expertly mastered an intense situation while exploring and developing character arcs. On the bright side, Holly and Trevor bonded over their shared trauma, agreeing to a date after they are cared for.

Leave it to the season finale for things to get intense! Especially when it’s tied to a cliffhanger. In the Season 7 finale, the show gives viewers some glimpses of romance, just enough to make you feel potential heartbreak by the end. While working on the arson case, Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney) and firefighter Stella Kidd (Miranda Rae Mayo) rekindle their romance. Captain Matthew Casey (Jesse Spencer) begins to develop feelings for paramedic Sylvie Brett (Kara Killmer), only to learn that she is already engaged to Chaplain Kyle Sheffield (Teddy Sears). But nothing really matters when everyone’s lives are put at risk due to a massive fire at a mattress factory.

Between the scramble to save the day and realizing it was too late to the certainty of tragedy looming around the corner, the episode ended with a true adrenaline rush. Watching your favorites grapple with the face of death, as some are humbly willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. It’s what keeps fans coming back. With Truck 81 and Squad 3 members inside, viewers were forced to wait months before they learned the fates of the individuals inside. It’s one of the most intense cliffhangers of any finale, as no one truly knew what the end result would be, especially with the faces of terror on some of our favorites. Of course, we will learn the major casualty comes at the start of Season 8 with the death of firefighter Brian “Otis” Zvonecek (Yuri Sardarov) in the line of duty.