slides vs. stairs
of course the danger of fire is a concern...but the plane didn't catch on fire did it?
CFR was right there
the slides could have been used if things hadn't gone so well.
The builders of good planes conceive of landing ''gear up'' and protect certain areas for this eventuality.
Having trained for this and other problems, I would have asked the fire chief to monitor the possibility of fire and advise me minute by minute via radio or BULL HORN of fire and to spray area as a precaution.
I've seen too many people do things automatically and not with real thought. Certainly if the fire chief said: fuel leak, fire likely...fuel observed leaking...that might be a different story. also, it is hopeful that the fuel valves were properly closed at the right time. wing and engine valves.
AS to using SWF...it is a good idea...but unlikely that there is major maintenance used by United at that otherwise fine airport.