Even a standard SAR job can become non-standard in the blink of an eye. Which is why SAR training should be aimed at being flexible and extremely proficient in the use of the equipment and teamwork. It is not about training every scenario ad nauseam, it is about learning to put what you have to optimum use in different conditions and knowing when to call it quits.
In my limited experience in SAR, the crews were highly motivated, very intelligent and practiced very good CRM. We were maritime SAR in a mountainous region, so take your pick of scenarios..we trained for many, in the " train hard, fight easy" mindset.
I am confident that the available SAR assets could have saved lives had they been deployed, and that they would have backed off when it became too dangerous. Like Crab said, most likely winching ops as landing on a building that is on fire at night does not sound like a winning plan. Having said that, perhaps a " light on wheels" touchdown might have been feasible; we will never know.
Time to start putting the trust back where it belongs, with the professionals. Procedures only go so far. A sadly missed opportunity and one of the many hard questions that needs to be asked in the aftermath of this drama.