Family Ties - S6-E16
Visible crew/equipment: During the structure fire, while the first teenager is being carried down the ladder from the attic window, in the two closeups of Captain Stanley if we look past Engine 116, in the background we can see Universal Studios' GlamorTrams driving by, which provided tours of the studio's backlots. This rescue was filmed at the "Corner House" located on the original "Colonial Street" in the studio's backlot.
Family Ties - S6-E16
Visible crew/equipment: After both siblings are carried out of the burning house, when Roy kneels down beside the boy and leans forward to set down the drug box, the bulging outline of Roy's mic transmitter is visible (till the end of the scene) at the front, left side of his shirt, and note that the actor even touches it, possibly to make sure it didn't move out of place.
Family Ties - S6-E16
Visible crew/equipment: At the house fire, when Chet finds the teenagers in the attic, just after Marco climbs in through the window, we can see the moving shadow of filming equipment (looks like the boom) by the stool.
Answer: I believe you are speaking of the old man, Mr. Wilson. He's played by J. Pat O'Malley.
Bishop73
Correct, it was J. Pat O'Malley...he also played the grandfather with his grandson when their rocket exploded, and also played "Old Bill" in the episode with Ann Prentiss, where Gage saves the little girl from the burning tree house, and her mother falls in love with him.