The officer in command at any fire, with the concurrence of the Mayor and 2 Aldermen, or in the absence of the Mayor, of any 3 Aldermen, may order the tearing down or the removing of any building or other structure or fence or may order the blowing up of any building or other structure or fence when a course in either case may be deemed necessary to extinguish the fire and to preserve the general physical welfare of the community.
(1983 Code, § 8-2)