The Towering Inferno

The Towering Inferno is a 1974 American action drama disaster film produced by Irwin Allen featuring an allstar cast led by Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. The picture was directed by John Guillermin.

Architect Doug Roberts Newman returns to San Francisco for the dedication of the Glass Tower, which he designed for owner James Duncan Holden. At 138 stories 1,800ft550m, it is the worlds tallest building. Shortly after his arrival, an electrical short starts an undetected fire on the 81st floor while Roberts accuses the buildings electrical engineer, Roger Simmons Chamberlain, of cutting corners. Simmons insists the building is up to standards.During the highprofile dedication ceremony, public relations chief Dan Bigelow Wagner is ordered to turn on all the towers exterior lights to impress the attending guests and dignitaries. The lighting overloads the electrical system and Roberts orders it shut off. Smoke is seen on the 81st floor and the San Francisco Fire Department is summoned. Roberts and engineer Will Giddings Norman Burton go to the 81st floor but fail to prevent a security guard opening a door, leading to a fire flash which fatally burns Giddings. ........

Source: Wikipedia