In case of fire, the senior officer and his or her assistants shall rank in the order named and the officer of the highest rank at the fire shall take command of the Fire Department and direct the management thereof for the suppression of the fire in the best manner possible; and when it may be necessary of the conflagration, the officer in command may cause buildings to be removed, torn down or destroyed in the best manner possible.
(1975 Code, § 30.52)