Apartment Building, Residential Lynchburg, VA – No injuries in apartment fire that activated sprinkler system July 24, 2015 viking210 1 Comment Firefighters were called to the Jobbers Apartments on Kemper Street about midnight. The Battalion Chief says food on a stove caused a small fire which activated the building’s sprinkler system. The Red Cross is providing shelter for the 15 people who were displaced.
Adult Care/Rehab Center, Hospital/Care Facility Howell, MI – Laundry fire at rehabilitation center controlled with help from sprinkler system July 24, 2015 viking210 A sprinkler system and a fast-acting Livingston County Sheriff’s Department deputy contributed to containing a fire at a Howell Township rehabilitation center late Tuesday evening. Chief Andy Pless of the Howell Area Fire Department said the fire in the laundry room of the White Pine Rehabilitation and Care Center of Howell at 3003 W. Grand River Ave. was reported just before 11 p.m. Tuesday. “An on-duty sheriff’s deputy made entry into the basement and put it out with a fire extinguisher as we were arriving,” the fire chief noted. “We cleaned up the mess.” Pless said the center’s sprinkler system also did its job, helping to contain the fire. When the alarm first sounded, White Pine staff immediately began evacuating the center’s residents. Pless said they had nearly cleared the facility when the all-clear was given for the fire call. “White Pine did a fantastic job in getting residents in and out of harms way,” Pless said. “We were in and out in less than an hour.” White Pine administrator Jackie Jones said she could not comment and referred inquiries to the regional director, who did not return a message seeking comment. According to its website, the more than 2,000-square-foot center “specializes in medically complex and short-term rehabilitation” and offers long-term care for those recovering from surgery or illness or need rehabilitation.
Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant Murrieta, CA – Sprinkler system helps keep fire from spreading at Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant July 23, 2015 viking210 2 Comments A fire that triggered the sprinkler system at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Murrieta caused enough water damage to force the closure of the restaurant this weekend. The fire, at 40484 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, was reported early last week around 4:45 a.m., according to the Murrieta Fire Department. It appeared to have been sparked by the deep fryer, which may have been left on overnight. A sign on the building says the restaurant is closed because of water damage. Callers to the restaurant can hear a brief phone message that says the location is closed because of a fire.
Other - Residential, Residential Terre Haute, IN – Fire at homeless shelter extinguished with help from sprinkler system July 23, 2015 viking210 Officials are investigating an apparent arson after an early morning fire broke out at a Terre Haute homeless shelter. The fire started just before 6 a.m. at the Conners Center on 13th Street. The center, also known as Gary’s Place, is a shelter for women and children. Kristina Stuff recalls waking up to billowing smoke and several women in the building who were shouting fire. “I thought it was the moment. I was petrified.” The building is made up of three floors, and three floors up Stuff and her elderly mother were trapped by the overwhelming smoke. Stuff tried to get out but was unable to carry her mother through the smoke. “It didn’t matter what kind of evacuation plan we had it was just too much,” said Stuff as she describes trying to escape. In that moment stuff recalls feeling helpless, “So I took us back in, soaked down towels and put it on her face, and prayed to God.” It wasn’t long before relief arrived. With the help of the Terre Haute Fire Department all of the residents inside the building got out safely. Stuff and her mother were rescued and treated for smoke inhalation, while the others escaped without injury. “We don’t like what the future holds for us, but we are alive,” said Stuff. Terre Haute Fire Chief, Jeff Fischer tells News 10 the fire started in the basement next to the soda machine. It appeared the sprinkler system aided in putting out the flames, but the black smoke continued to cause extensive damage to the second and third floors. “So that means cleaning everything, and taking care of that, and trying to get the smell out,” explained Rev. Timothy Fagg, CEO of the Lighthouse Mission. The fire is being investigated as arson. Fire officials found evidence of poured gasoline close to the soda machine. “Every dollar we get goes to take care of the homeless here in the Wabash Valley, and when’s there’s something like this it’s difficult for us,” said Rev. Fagg. All 14 residents are displaced while clean-up takes place. “This is it. This is all we got. We don’t have anywhere else to go,” said Stuff. Rev. Fagg said the residents will be offered a bed at the Lighthouse Mission until repairs are made. The shelter is looking for volunteers to help with cleaning and painting. The Terre Haute Police Department is spending the day interviewing those at the shelter. The investigation into who started the fire is still on-going.
Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant Dandridge, TN – Sprinkler system activates to limit damage in fire at resort restaurant July 23, 2015 viking210 The restaurant at The Point Resort in Dandridge is temporarily closed after a kitchen fire Saturday morning, Dandridge Fire Chief Andy Riley reported. The chief said a sprinkler system probably saved the structure from more serious damage. Firefighters were on the scene for four hours making sure the flames, which had reached into the roof trusses, were fully extinguished. White Pine Volunteer Fire Department assisted at the scene, and Lakeway Central manned Dandridge’s station during the 10:30 a.m. call. Riley said two cooks and waitress were preparing to serve lunch when the fire started in a fryer, setting off the sprinkler system. “Everyone got out okay, but this fire spread very quickly into the attic and roof trusses,” Riley said. “The sprinkler system probably averted a major fire.” The restaurant is the only part of the resort closed temporarily, he said. Suites and other services remain open. Dandridge Firefighters used one hose to put out the fire. The building sustained minor smoke and water damage.
Government/Military, Prison / Jail Brenham, TX – Sprinklers activate to help contain fire that started in jail laundry; No injuries July 22, 2015 viking210 An overnight fire in the laundry room at the Washington County Jail set off the alarms and the sprinkler system, according to Chief Deputy Jay Petrash . The jail staff discovered the fire around early Tuesday morning. Brenham Fire Department personnel arrived within minutes extinguishing the flames. Fire personnel used high pressured fans to remove heavy smoke from the area, while jail work crews cleaned the charred clothing from the machines and removed water from the room and hallway. Chief Petrash said that none of the 100 housed inmates or jail personnel had to be evacuated, and no one was injured. The fire is believed to have started due to a build- up of lent in one of the dryer’s filter, however, the cause is still being investigated by the Brenham Fire Marshall’s Office. Sheriff’s Office personnel are still assessing the damage and will be awaiting review by insurance as it relates to replacement of equipment and costs.
Residential, Single Family Home Owings Mills, MD – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire after domestic dispute July 22, 2015 viking210 A teacher’s aide from Washington, D.C., has been charged with throwing gasoline on her boyfriend and setting his home on fire, Baltimore County Police said Tuesday. Officers were called to the home in the 10800 block of Sherwood Road in Owings Mills just before 5 p.m. Sunday for a report of a domestic situation. While en route, they learned that the home was on fire. The victim told police that his girlfriend, 29-year-old Lisa Lashell Finley had assaulted him that morning while she was intoxicated, according to court documents. When she went back to his home, he told her he wanted to end their relationship of about two years and told her she could gather her things while he waited in the basement. He smelled gas and went upstairs to find the stove on but no fire. Finley then threw gasoline on him, according to court documents. Holding a lighter and a can of hairspray, she allegedly threatened to kill him. Police say the man left the home. But when he returned, he found a fire burning inside. A sprinkler system extinguished the fire. Finley later turned herself in at the Franklin Precinct Monday afternoon. She has been charged with attempted first degree murder, first degree arson and first degree assault. Finley is an educational aide at Anacostia High School, an official with D.C. Public Schools confirmed. She was hired in Oct. 2013. Her current employment status is not known at this time.
Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant New Orleans, LA – Sprinklers put out fire at French Quarter restaurant July 22, 2015 viking210 The New Orleans Fire Department responded to a one-alarm fire Monday (July 20) at the Gazebo Café in the French Quarter. Firefighter Michael Williams said the police department called the fire department around 7 p.m. to report smoke coming from the Decatur Street restaurant. It was closed at the time, he said, and firefighters had to force entry into the building. They had the scene under control in 10 minutes, he said. Williams said the fire appears to have been caused by a commercial refrigerator that failed. The fire was contained to the Gazebo Cafe, he said, and the restaurant’s sprinkler system put the fire out. The New Orleans Fire Department responded to a one-alarm fire Monday (July 20) at the Gazebo Cafe in the French Quarter. The restaurant sustained mostly smoke damage, he said. In total, Williams said eight units and 22 firefighters responded. No injuries were reported.
Apartment Building, Residential DeKalb, IL – Sprinkler system keeps flames from spreading in apartment fire July 20, 2015 viking210 The DeKalb Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at 832 Ridge Drive in DeKalb at 11:09 a.m. Saturday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Jeff McMaster, deputy fire chief, later that afternoon. “When firefighters got there, there was a light smoke coming from the bathroom,” McMaster said. “When they got in, the sprinklers were on.” The sprinkler system had kept the flames contained and the firefighters were able to put the rest out upon arrival, McMaster said. No one was home at the time, McMaster said. A neighbor had seen the smoke, heard the apartment’s fire alarm and made the call. There were no injuries, McMaster said. He estimated the damage at about $5,000.
Other / Not Specified, Other Business Eden Prairie, MN – Sprinkler system contains fire at business with hydrofluoric acid July 20, 2015 viking210 Six firefighters were taken to a hospital after they were exposed to hydrofluoric acid on Wednesday, July 15, during a business fire call in Eden Prairie. Eden Prairie Fire Chief George Esbensen said the call of a commercial building fire at SVT Associates, 7620 Executive Drive, came in around 4:37 p.m. and the first arriving engine and chiefs got there in less than five minutes. The fire was in one room of an office space occupied by the company. “The fire sprinkler system was holding the fire in check and fire crews were able to make short work of the remaining fire. After the fire was knocked down and as overhaul was beginning several firefighters began to experience symptoms consistent with a chemical exposure,” he said. “Five firefighters from EP and one from Bloomington were transported to Methodist Hospital where it was determined they had been exposed through their skin with hydrofluoric acid.” Esbensen said the acid is commonly used in metal etching and stripping. All six firefighters were treated and released by 11:30 p.m. the same day. They have since returned to duty. There was some loss of equipment as a result of the chemical exposure. Turnout gear that was exposed to the chemical will not be able to be cleaned and there are 13 sets that need to be replaced. Additionally the department is waiting to hear what parts of the self contained breathing apparatus can be cleaned as well as other tools. The department doesn’t have exact replacement costs yet on the gear, but the estimate is around $50,000, Esbensen said. “There are other items that were impacted but we haven’t determined the best course of action on those yet,” he said.
