Firehouse 51 is back with another intense episode. Chicago Fire Season 14 Episode 9, titled Crime of Passion, is scheduled to air next week. This new episode will deal with the fallout from a dangerous arson case that has put one of the team’s own in serious trouble.
The official release date for this episode is Wednesday, January 14, 2026. It will premiere on NBC at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific Time. For viewers in other major regions, this means 8:00 PM Central Time and an early airing on Thursday, January 15 at 2:00 AM GMT for audiences in the United Kingdom. The “One Chicago” programming block continues with Chicago Med at 8:00 PM and Chicago P.D. at 10:00 PM on the same night.
Episode 9 Story Preview: A Team Member in Peril
The new episode picks up directly from the high-stakes cliffhanger of Episode 8, “A Man Possessed.” That midseason premiere ended with Captain Tom Van Meter in a medically induced coma after being severely injured in an arson fire. The official description for Episode 9 states: “A member of the Firehouse 51 family remains in peril; Cruz lends a hand to Severide in the ongoing investigation”.
Kelly Severide is leading the hunt for the arsonist responsible for the attack. After a heated interrogation, he was officially taken off the police case. Now, operating without official backing, Severide will get crucial help from Joe Cruz, who steps in to support his friend’s personal mission. The search points to a suspect close to the case, raising the personal stakes even higher.
Meanwhile, the pressure on Firehouse 51 continues from city hall. Chief Dom Pascal is grappling with a political fight to save Engine 51 from being decommissioned. He recently discovered the order came directly from the Mayor’s office, and his professional relationship with Annette Davis is being tested as he fights for his team’s future.
Main Cast and Returning Characters
The core team of firefighters and paramedics returns for this episode. The main cast includes Taylor Kinney as Lieutenant Kelly Severide and Joe Minoso as Firefighter Joe Cruz. Miranda Rae Mayo stars as Lieutenant Stella Kidd, and David Eigenberg plays Senior Firefighter Christopher Herrmann.
The paramedic team from Ambulance 61 features Hanako Greensmith as Violet Mikami and Jocelyn Hudon as Lyla Novak. Christian Stolte plays Firefighter Randall “Mouch” McHolland, and Dermot Mulroney stars as Battalion Chief Dom Pascal.
Brandon Larracuente continues in his role as the new firefighter, Sal Vasquez. Recurring characters expected to appear include Tim Hopper as the injured Captain Tom Van Meter and Annabeth Gish as City Official Annette Davis.
How to Watch Episode 9 Live and On Demand
The primary way to watch the episode live is on the NBC television network at the scheduled time. For viewers who do not have traditional cable or satellite, the episode can be streamed live through services that carry NBC, such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, and Sling TV (depending on your local market).
If you miss the live broadcast, the episode will be available for on-demand streaming the next day, Thursday, January 15, 2026, on Peacock. Peacock is NBC’s official streaming platform and the streaming home for the entire One Chicago franchise.
Peacock offers two main subscription plans: Peacock Premium (with ads) for $10.99 per month, and Peacock Premium Plus (with limited ads) for $16.99 per month. New users can typically start with a free trial. All previous seasons of Chicago Fire are also available on Peacock.
For international fans, the episode is expected to be available on Amazon Prime Video in markets like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India, though availability can vary by region. Viewers should check their local Prime Video platform the day after the U.S. airing.
Episode 8 Recap: A Man Possessed
To understand where Episode 9 begins, here is a quick recap of the midseason premiere, “A Man Possessed,” which aired on January 7, 2026.
The episode resolved a major cliffhanger from the fall finale. Lieutenant Severide, Captain Van Meter, and a school principal were trapped in a burning house. Severide managed to create a harness from bedsheets to lower them to safety. However, Van Meter was hit by a fireball and suffered critical burns. He was rushed to the hospital and placed in a medically induced coma by Dr. Archer from Chicago Med.
Determined to find the arsonist, Severide partnered with Detective Gerard. Their investigation, aided by social media videos, led them to suspect the father of a troubled teenager named Wyatt. During an intense interrogation, Severide lost his temper and accused the man, resulting in Severide being removed from the official investigation.
In a separate storyline, Chief Pascal learned that the political move to decommission Engine 51 originated from the Mayor’s office. He confronted Annette Davis, who admitted she knew about the plan but felt her “hands were tied”. She offered him a way out, suggesting he leave his battalion chief job to join her in the public sector.
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What to Expect from Season 14’s Remaining Episodes
Season 14 of Chicago Fire is planned to have a total of 21 episodes. Following Episode 9, the season will continue with new episodes every Wednesday on NBC. The next episode, Season 14 Episode 10, is titled “Carry a Torch” and is scheduled for January 21, 2026.
The overarching themes of the season include the Chicago Fire Department facing a crisis due to budget cuts, understaffing, and political restructuring. These “brownouts” force Firehouse 51 to cover more ground with fewer resources, leading to longer and more dangerous shifts. On a personal level, the season continues to focus on Stella Kidd and Kelly Severide as they foster a teenager named Isaiah, and Herrmann dealing with the loss of his family home to a fire.
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