would suit better than "attack"

In this context I would simply say "... prior to the arrival of the fire brigade" or fire service or whatever you plan to call it.

After all, when the fire brigade arrives they're not just going to stand around and smoke or drink tea; they're hopefully going to try to put out the fire.

see:

Born in London in 1953 he joined the LONDON FIRE BRIGADE in 1971 and was ... of '3D Firefighting' over several years as an overall fire attack strategy. ...
www.firetactics.com/PAUL-GRIMWOOD.htm

If the Brigade or Group becomes aware that a Brigade is not able to raise a ... The seven principles of fire attack are designed to assist the OIC to plan ...
users.olis.net.au/kyoshi/cfs/structur.htm

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Note added at 46 mins (2006-03-27 13:51:55 GMT)
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An Offensive to Defensive fire attack that focuses on fire ground communications ... This video takes a look at the operations at a propane tank farm fire. ...
www.phoenix.gov/fire/vids.html

various fire attack situations are presented. Water Distribution Systems (LV-16) ... Tank Farm Inferno: Denver, CO, Magnesium Fire: City of Industry, CA 2 ...
www.tennessee.gov/commerce/ sfm/tfaca/pdf/lendLibraryPkg.pdf

... propane, butane, 1,3 - butadiene) takes place in the tank farm areas. ... Addition of mobile fire attack pick-up trucks with 1000 gallon per minute ...
www.rtknet.org/rmp/sum7/LA/fac100000026009

"to fight the fire" is what you really needed; but just stop a moment and reread the Germany CAREFULLY....
Does it really mean that a "Brandübertragung" CAN be expected once the works fire brigade arrives???? 'Coz that's wot it looks like to me....