Category Archives: Parking Garage

Fargo, ND – Parking garage fire sprinklers keep fire contained after vehicle catches on fire; No injuries reported

The Fargo Fire Department was able to contain a vehicle fire Friday at a downtown parking garage.

Around 12:45 p.m. the Fargo Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle on fire inside the multi-level parking garage located on the 600 block of  2nd Ave. North.

The first two units arrived on the scene within 2 minutes of being dispatched and located a vehicle on fire on the fifth floor of the garage.  Crews worked to extinguish the fire with the help of the building’s sprinkler system that had two heads activate above the vehicle.

The sprinkler system helped keep the fire contained to the original vehicle, there were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.

Responders were delayed by a vehicle parked in front of a fire hydrant and one vehicle driving over a fire hose.

The Fargo Fire Department would like to remind the public that it is illegal to drive over a fire hose when it is stretched out on the street.  This causes damage to the hose and places crews relying on the hose in danger if it fails.  They also ask to refrain from parking in front of fire hydrants. It causes delays in establishing a water supply for fire suppression operations.

Visalia, CA – Parking garage dumpster fire controlled thanks to fire sprinklers, ruled arson

A Visalia man with a history of lighting fire was arrested in connection with a downtown Visalia Dumpster fire. 

Around 12:55 p.m. Thursday, Visalia firefighters responded to a fire behind 227 E. Main St, near the Main Street Theatre. The Dumpster was in an enclosure that is part of the east Acequia parking structure, which is equipped with a sprinkler system.

Smoke activated the sprinklers which kept the fire from spreading. The fire caused only minor damage, according to Sgt. Russ Gauger.

On Friday, officers were called to the corner of Main and Court streets by a downtown security guard. The security guard told police he saw a man he’d seen near the Dumpster just moments before Thursday’s fire.  

Officers found and spoke with Charles Spurlock, 40. After some follow up investigation, Spurlock was identified as the suspected arsonist, Gauger said.

Spurlock was arrested in August 2016 in connection to a string of Visalia fires set just hours apart. During the incident, Spurlock tried to outrun officers but was eventually arrested after a perimeter was set up in the backyard of house near Savannah Street and Judy Street.

In 2017, he was held to answer on numerous felony charges related to the case. 

Spurlock was arrested on suspicion of arson, possession of a controlled substance and a parole violation. He was booked into Tulare County Pretrial Facility. His bail is set at $50,000. 

Iowa City, IA – Parking garage car fire contained by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

No one is hurt after a Sunday morning fire in a University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics parking ramp.

The Iowa City Fire Department found a car on fire around 6:05 a.m. in one of the underground levels of parking ramp two.

Firefighters said the sprinkler system contained the fire and fire personnel fully extinguished it.

The fire did not damage any other cars or property.

The Iowa City Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating a cause.

Farmers Branch, TX – (No media coverage) Single sprinkler head activates to put out open parking garage fire

On 8/11/19 at approximately 14:20, the Farmers Branch Fire Department was dispatched to a fire in an open parking garage located at 9 Medical Pkwy.  Engine E131 arrived on scene to find a small fire on level 2 of the parking garage with automatic sprinkler activation.   One sprinkler head activated.  Fire was contained to gasoline powered pressure washer and gasoline can for car washing operation. Engine 131 used a nearby dry chemical fire extinguisher to extinguish the remaining gasoline fire. Engine 131 closed down the sprinkler system and drained it.  Loss is estimated at $300.  No damage to the structure or vehicles inside the garage.