Clarence Montmorency, an effeminate sailor on shore leave, is walking along the street when he witnesses the fire engines passing by. He is so impressed with the bravery and fearlessness the firemen display, that he resolves to be a fireman. To use his own words, "a sailor's life is simply grand, but, oh, for the life of a fireman." He applies at the fire house and is engaged by the Chief. While performing the duties, and going through the routine of a fireman, he encounters many amusing situations, and later proves to be a hero at a factory fire where he is instrumental in saving the life of a very pretty factory girl. How he wins her, love in the face of numerous obstacles which are put in his way by the fire captain and a villain are told in a fast and breezy way.