Millwood City engineer Scott Daniels, moved from Houston, investigates a series of mysterious fires. Scotts and Lourie Harpers only son Jesse, who hated the move or dads youth home, fakes a fever and invites his new girlfriend Carmen. Shes reporter Allison Saunders, Scotts high-school exs, daughter and finds Jesse unconscious, overtaken by fumes. The sewers are full of dead rats. Cracks appear in various buildings. Gass leaks start explosive fires. Mayor Walker, who only care for politics and publicity, overrules Scotts call for a mass evacuation. Scott and city administration friend Kenny Barrows later discover the link is steam pressure drilling by Talbots oil exploration firm, but fire chief Patterson is in league with Talbot for years, covers their tracks and undermines Scotts credibility.