All posts by viking210

Mesa, AZ – Single sprinkler prevents fire from spreading at large business complex

A sprinkler system kept a fire from spreading through a large Mesa business complex Monday morning. Crews from Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix and Chandler responded to the fire near Broadway and Alma School roads at around 6 a.m.

The fire started in an area of the building that was packed with auto parts. Firefighters were able to gain control of the fire pretty quickly thanks to a working sprinkler system. “We know that sprinklers of course save lives but we also know, importantly for a business, that it saves a building and a business in itself,” said Deputy Chief Forrest Smith with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department.

Smith said it appeared that one sprinkler head kept the fire in check. Officials said hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise and property were saved. No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Baton Rouge, LA – Sprinkler system keeps fire from spreading at grocery distribution center

Firefighters were called out to a small fire caused by a piece of equipment inside a large distribution center early Monday morning.

The St. George Fire Department reported it happened at Associated Grocers just before 1:30 a.m.

Eldon Ledoux with SGFD said firefighters found a floor-sweeping machine on fire inside and there was heavy smoke.

He added the workers had made it out safely and no one was injured.

Officials said the sprinkler system helped to keep the fire from spreading and firemen finished putting it out.

According to Ledoux, there was only minor damage. Firefighters also ventilated the smoke from the building.

Columbus, GA – Sprinklers extinguish early morning fire at Kellogg plant

Fire crews extinguished an early morning fire at the Kellogg plant on Victory Drive on Monday, according to Fire Marshal Rickey Shores.

The fire happened around 5:22 a.m., originating in a commercial oven on an assembly line and activated the fire alarm. The sprinkler system activated by the alarm put the fire out.

The oven was damaged and there was minor damage to the room; there was also no food on the line at the time of the fire and it appears to be accidental.

There were no injuries in the fire and there is no estimated cost of damage.

The Kellogg Company released a statement saying: “Kellogg’s Columbus, Ga., plant experienced an exhaust fan fire this morning, at approximately 5:45 a.m. No one was injured, as the plant was immediately evacuated and production has been halted, while we work to determine the extent of the damage,” said company spokesperson Kris Charles. 

Virginia Beach, VA – Boardwalk restaurant fire doused by sprinkler system

A restaurant in Red Mill Walk caught on fire early this morning. The Virginia Beach Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 2277 Upton Drive around 1:22 a.m., a news release from Battalion Chief Eric Wilkerson says. Fire crews forced their way into Suite 714 — home to Back Bay Gourmet, according to Red Mill Commons’ website — and found the fire in a storage room had been extinguished by the sprinklers. The fire was under control at 1:49 a.m. as the crews worked on controlling the sprinkler system and salvage, the release says. Smoke, fire and water damage was contained to the restaurant. No one was hurt, and the fire remains under investigation.

Cookeville, TN – Dryer fire at Hampton Inn controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries

A small fire in a commercial dryer early this morning at the Hampton Inn hotel on Interstate Drive kept the Cookeville Fire Department busy. The call came in around 6:40 a.m., and fire crews were on the scene until after 9 a.m., Lt. Benton Young said.

“At about the same time we got the call, a Cookeville police officer who was refueling at a gas station nearby on Jefferson Avenue noticed smoke coming from the hotel and responded to the location as well,” Lt. Young said.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, he said, smoke could be seen coming out the front lobby doors, all the way from the laundry room located farther back inside the building. Guests of the hotel were evacuated while firefighters assessed and responded to the situation.

“There was a lot of smoke. We had to use thermal cameras in the laundry room just to see to get to the source,” he said.

That source proved to be only one commercial dryer that appeared to have several mop heads drying inside it, firefighters reported.

The hotel’s sprinkler system activated when the dryer fire began to smoke, and the blaze was contained to that appliance.

After firefighters arrived, they worked quickly to extinguish the blaze.

“We didn’t have to put a whole lot of water on it to put it out, maybe 15 or 20 gallons,” Lt. Young said.

The tasks that followed, however, included resetting the fire alarm system, getting the abundance of smoke dissipated from the building and verifying that all of the hotel occupants were evacuated and accounted for. All four Cookeville stations responded to the scene.

No one was reported injured in the incident. Capt. Matt White said he expected the business to reopen later this morning following the incident.

 

Buford, GA – Sprinklers contain fire at muffler shop; Spark from metal saw ignited fuel vapors

A fire sparked by a metal-cutting tool damaged a Buford-area muffler shop Thursday afternoon, according to Gwinnett Fire. No injuries were reported. Firefighters responded to the shop located at 803 West Shadburn Ferry Road at 2:51 p.m. after an employee called to report the blaze, the fire department said in a news release.

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said the caller reported a car elevated on a mechanical lift had caught on fire. The blaze was held in check by the fire sprinkler system, but sent heavy smoke billowing from the building.

“Several employees were inside the business at the time and were working on the vehicle when the fire started,” Rutledge said in the news release. “The fire appears accidental and was caused by a spark from a saw that was being used to cut metal. The spark ignited nearby fuel vapors.”

The vehicle was heavily damaged. Extensive heat and smoke were sent throughout the mechanic bay. The fire was under control at 3:21 p.m., Rutledge said.

Hampton, VA – Early morning fire at senior apartment building controlled by single sprinkler; No injuries

Hampton fire officials say several units inside a retirement community were damaged after a fire early Thursday morning. It happened at the Seton Manor Apartments on Marcella Road. No one was hurt.

According to Hampton fire officials, someone was cooking around 6:30 a.m. A pan with grease caught fire and set off the sprinkler.

Bertha Davis said she and her neighbors woke up to fire trucks and sirens. “I heard the alarm go off and then I went to the door. People were in the hallway,” she said. “A lot of people had to come out in their night clothes. The ones that had walkers, they were in the hallway.”

Despite the damage and the inconvenience, officials said the sprinkler system worked. “It did its job. It stopped the fire. That’s the most important part,” Stowers said. Stowers said it should take at least three days to completely clean the damage.

10 On Your Side tried talking to apartment managers about what happened and where the people displaced will go. They refused an interview, but sent a statement to 10 On Your Side late Thursday afternoon. The apartment says all affected residents to family homes or hotels while restorations are being completed.

Auburn, IN – Fire in paint booth at Cooper-Standard Automotive contained by sprinkler system

Firefighters climb one of the Auburn Fire Department’s aerial ladders to reach the roof at Cooper-Standard Automotive, 207 S. West St., after a fire was reported at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday in a paint booth at the factory. The building’s sprinkler system activated, containing the fire, and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze using hoses, Auburn Fire Chief Mike VanZile said. All Cooper employees were evacuated from the plant and accounted for, he added. Firefighters declared the situation under control at 3:20 p.m. Garrett firefighters assisted at the scene.

Bowling Green, KY – Fire at automotive manufacturer activates sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Firefighters lined the front of NASCO on Nashville Road in Bowling Green Thursday at noon. NASCO said metal dust particles from a worker welding ear the roof line and ventilation fans ignited, setting off the sprinkler system and forcing them to evacuate the building. The Bowling Green Fire Department responded with multiple trucks including a ladder truck. Crews used extinguishers to check the scene for hot spots. NASCO said only a few sprinklers went off during the incident and no one was hurt.

Waynesboro, VA – Sprinkler system activates to keep fire small at Moose Lodge

Waynesboro Fire Department Deputy Chief James Bradley said the alarm company called the fire department around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“It started in the bar area,” he said. “It’s a sprinkler building, so it was a relatively small fire, but there was a considerable amount of damage.”

This is the second time a fire has damaged the building. The first fire was in 1978, Kochis said.

She said the employees left the lodge around 11 p.m. and no one was there when the fire started.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire within 30 minutes, but remained at the scene until 3 a.m., clearing the building of smoke.

The damage is covered by insurance, and Kochis said they may be unable to open for a week or two.

“We always have bingo every Sunday afternoon with at least 110 people and sometimes 120 or 130,” Kochis said. “It just depends on what is going on, but we won’t have bingo this Sunday.”

Bradley says the fire remains under investigation.