All posts by viking210

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Romeo, MI – Fire at Ford engine plant contained with help from sprinkler system

The Ford Engine Plant in Romeo was evacuated Friday afternoon due to a fire that drew firefighters from seven local departments.  Capt. David Faulker of the Bruce-Romeo Fire Department said firefighters extinguished a blaze that started on machinery and spread to the ventilation system in a section of the plant.  Firefighters used fire hoses to spray water on flames from inside and the plant’s sprinkler system also activated.  There were no injuries. 

The fire was declared under control about 3:45 p.m.  Faulker said he could not speculate on the cause or amount of damage.  “It’s under investigation,” he said.  Ford officials could not be located to comment on whether production was scheduled to resume later in the night.

Apartment Building, Residential

Vancouver, WA – Mattress fire at new apartment complex contained by sprinkler system

A fire that started when a candle set a mattress ablaze damaged a Hazel Dell apartment Monday afternoon. The fire was reported at 2:15 p.m. at the ArdenWood Station Apartments, a new complex at 9517 N.E. Hazel Dell Ave. Firefighters arrived to find smoke coming from two sides of a second-floor apartment in the middle floor of a three-story block of six units, said Sarah Walton, a spokeswoman for Clark County Fire District 6.

ArdenWood Station opened last year and is equipped with modern fire sprinklers and alarms. Both systems were triggered, limiting damage and alerting the neighbors, Walton said. The fire was quickly extinguished, but there was some smoke and water damage.

Four people live in the apartment but were not at home when the fire started, Clark County Deputy Fire Marshal Susan Anderson said. The occupants have a dog, which was out running errands with them. A pet tarantula in the house was not harmed.  The Vancouver Fire Department assisted Fire District 6. In all, four engines responded.  Anderson determined that a lit candle set the mattress on fire.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Merrimack, NH – Fire at century-old mill building controlled by sprinkler system

On Friday, March 13, 2015, at 4:52 p.m. the Merrimack Fire Department was dispatched to 33 Elm St.  The crew found a fire in an area of the building being used as a furniture repair and refinishing shop.  The building sprinkler was keeping the fire from spreading but suppression crews were needed to fully extinguish the blaze as the sprinklers were being blocked by furnishings.

The building is an approximately 135,000 square foot three story mill building built in 1900. The building now houses multiple tenants including warehouse, retail store and light industrial uses.

The fire was declared under control at 5:49 p.m. and an extensive overhaul and ventilation of the building was begun. Damage to the building was moderate, with fire damage to a wall and contents of the shop as well as water damage to several areas. Crews ensured that all fire was extinguished and debris cleared from the area, and an investigation into the cause of the fire was conducted by the Fire Marshal. The building was turned back over to the owner and all fire personnel cleared at 8:02 p.m.

The fire cause was determined to be electrical, due to overloaded circuits and improper use of extension cords.  Mutual aid was received from a Nashua Fire Department Engine and Ladder, who assisted at the fire scene and a Manchester Fire Department Engine who covered Station 1. 

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Mansfield, MA – Sprinklers contain fire that started in tool room at lumber warehouse

The blaze was reported about 9 p.m. Saturday at National Lumber at 245 Oakland St., tying up local and area town firefighters for several hours. “The sprinkler system held the fire from spreading,” Deputy Fire Chief James Puleo said. That sprinkler system had to be shut off and the lumberyard hired a “fire watch” overnight.

“The cause is still under investigation, but we are leaning toward accidental,” Chief Puleo said, adding the town’s electrical inspector has ruled out an electrical cause. The fire was confined to a tool room inside the warehouse, Puleo said. The deputy fire chief estimated damage at a minimum of $20,000.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Santee, SC – Sprinkler system activates; Helps limit damage in fire at landmark restaurant

A landmark barbecue restaurant in Santee that was damaged by fire on Thursday is scheduled to reopen soon.  The Santee Fire Department was called to Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile on State Park Road just after 9 a.m. Firefighters say a sprinkler system in the kitchen sprayed the flames until emergency crews arrived.

Fire Chief Edward Barnett, Jr. says the fire started in a smoke chipper drain under a meat oven.  The amount of damage hasn’t been estimated.  The restaurant is closed temporarily. A sign outside indicates management hopes to reopen on March 19.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Chelsea, MA – Sprinklers help contain late night restaurant fire

On Saturday, March 7, at 12:06 a.m., the fire department responded to the report of a building fire at 17 Fifth St., above the Isla Tropical Restaurant. Crews reported the sprinkler system had activated on the second floor and located the fire inside one of the residential units. Items left on top of the stove ignited and the flames quickly spread to the cabinets above. Crews extinguished the fire and remained on scene checking for extension until approximately 3:30 a.m. Damage is estimated at $30,000. No occupants were injured.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Pearland, TX – Commercial kitchen fire extinguished by sprinkler system

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE – Fire Dept Reported **  The Pearland Fire Department responded to a report of a grease fire in a commercial kitchen at an area restaurant located in the 2800 block of Business Center Dr. on Tuesday, March 10. After arriving, fire department officials discovered that the fire had been extinguished by the fire sprinkler system installed in the building.

Because the fire sprinkler system installed at the restaurant worked as it was designed, no property damage or loss of life occurred during this incident. According to National Fire Prevention Association, cooking fires make up approximately 55 percent of the fires that occur in restaurants and are responsible for 59 percent of the civilian deaths related to restaurant fires. The fires can cause the secondary ignition of grease that has accumulated on the vent hood from grease-laden vapors that are produced normally during the operation of the kitchen.

These fires can travel through the kitchen ductwork and result in a devastating fire that, depending on the amount of fuel present, can be greater in intensity and particularly difficult for firefighters to extinguish.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Elmhurst, IL – Fire at truck maintenance garage put out by sprinkler system

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE – Fire Dept Reported**   Dispatch relayed a report of black smoke coming from Unit L to the responding units. The first arriving Company reported an active Water Flow Alarm with smoke showing from Unit L.  Fire Command was established and switched radio traffic to a Fire Ground channel and reported that the sprinkler system was activated and appeared to be keeping the fire in-check.  All occupants of the effected unit were evacuated and accounted for per the Manager.  Dark smoke with very little heat was noted in the office area, with the smoke being heavier in the effected shop area.

The Engine Company deployed a 1 ¾”handline and advanced it to the affected area. Further investigation found that the sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire, requiring no water to be flowed by the Engine Company. The Sprinkler System was shut down and ventilation of the effected units was performed via natural ventilation. Overhaul needs were assessed and utilities addressed.

The post fire investigation found that an employee of Unit L was cleaning grease off the floor with liquid Brake Cleaner when they noticed the floor was on fire. Finding the area of origin being near a gas water heater with flame and heat damage to the area around and above the water heater, with 2 activated sprinkler heads.

Assessment of damages revealed that Unit L had approximately 3″ of standing water throughout the unit damaging interior walls, office furnishings, carpet, nearby mechanical tools and equipment. Units K and M had water damage from seepage under the walls and an odor of smoke. Value of the affected property was estimated at $500,000 with an estimated $15,000 in property damage and $5,000 in contents. 

Date: February 26, 2015

Time of Alarm: 0840 hrs.

Type of Alarm: Full Still for the Automatic Fire Alarm.

Weather conditions: 15⁰ with S/W winds at 4 mph. light snow falling with a 2” accumulation.

Building: Multiple occupancy industrial use.

Construction: Masonry with steel bar joist and metal pan decking covered with rubber membrane.

Occupancy: Diesel Truck Mechanical Service

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Holland, MI – Laboratory fire mostly extinguished by sprinkler system; Damage minimized

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE – Fire Dept Reported**   The Fire occurred the morning of March 2 at a lab / testing facility on 48th street.   The fire occurred after some equipment being tested failed.  Two sprinkler heads activated as a result and the fire was 95% extinguished when firefighters arrived.

A small plastic ladder near the equipment being tested caught fire and was in an angle that the sprinkler pattern could not get to. The remaining fire was extinguished by fire crews with a water extinguisher.  Although this building is type 2 construction, the sprinklers saved this building from thousands in fire damage.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Minden, NV – Sprinklers knock down blaze at popular restaurant

A kitchen fire shortly before midnight closed Katie’s Country Kitchen for the breakfast and lunch rush on Tuesday.

The popular Minden restaurant inside the Carson Valley Inn reopened at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday, Marketing Director Bill Henderson said.

“Our sincere thanks to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the East Fork Fire and Paramedic District who responded very quickly to the alarm,” Henderson said.

East Fork Fire District personnel responded after security called 911 at 11:45 p.m. in response to a fire in the prep cook area.

Deputy Chief Dave Fogerson said the fire sprinkler system extinguished the blaze. When firefighters arrived heavy smoke was still coming from the exhaust system.

The restaurant was evacuated while firefighters confirmed the fire was out and had not spread into the surrounding structure.

Henderson said no one was hurt in the fire and that the system functioned as designed with no major damage.