Heat!

Could I have framed any differently to make this better?

I like the photo. I would like to see more of a David vs. Goliath effect by having the firemen framed more centrally as small "Davids" fighting the wall of flames. However, I'm sure your ability to control the content was, shall we say, limited.

Set the fire earlier in the day, around sunset/sunrise (unless you live in an area were the fire dept. realy slow), so that you can combine subject with the best light of the day.

I don't see why haveing sunrise/set light would improve this shot, The only thing that I can suggest is you should have moved to the right so you could see the firefighters better, they blend in to the darkness too much. I like this shot a lot.

Roger, overall, nice shot. It's ALWAYS easy to see how to improve the shot AFTER the fact but quite another to know at the time (especially if you've only got time for one shot) whether all the ducks are in a line. I suspect a news photographer shooting a scene like this for the 100th time would instinctively know how to get in position for THE shot. However, for those of us who may only get this chance once in 25 years, this one ain't bad. With 20/20 hindsight, I would think a lower viewpoint &, as suggested, moving the camera to the right would have silhouetted the firemen against the flame better. Nice exposure! Did you rely on the 'in camera meter'?

I work for the Rescue squad, and have shot a few fires. You always want to get to the back of the firefighters and somewhat under them, meaning shoot from the ground up. You also want to remember composition and place the firefighter either to the right or left of the frame. You can also get further back if you don't have access, and get the entire scene fire house and firefighters a little off to the right or left of the frame using a different foreground or point of interest.