Category Archives: Manufacturing Plant

Rockland, ME – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in industrial building

A March 20 fire at the International Flavors and Fragrances plant on Lime Street started due to sunlight refracting through a glass ball that was facing a roll of paper towels.

Rockland Fire Chief Christopher Whytock said this was the second consecutive fire in which a sprinkler system in an industrial building worked like it was intended and limited damage. On March 1, the department responded to a fire at Weatherend Estate Furniture in the Industrial Park.

The call at IFF came in shortly after 6 p.m. March 20. Rockland crews were at the scene within a few minutes followed by Rockport.

Chief Whytock said a fire started in an office in Building 13. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire.

The chief said workers began to smell what they described as “dust on a heater” in the area of the office about 50 minutes before the fire alarm and sprinkler system tripped. Workers looked around but couldn’t find the source of the smell and it had dissipated. They looked through a glass door into the office but didn’t see any source of the smell.

“What we found is that the roll of brown paper towels had smoldered for some time before it then caught a plastic bottle next to the roll on fire and the alcohol that was in the bottle gave off enough heat to then start melting the radio in the area of the fire. Once that got burning the heat was enough to initiate the sprinkler system,” the chief said.

Workers were outside the large building immediately past the gate at the Lime Street entrance as firefighters went inside the structure which had a receiving sign on it.

The International Flavors and Fragrances plant produces carrageenan from seaweed. Even though the company lists IFF as its owner, workers were wearing hard hats that said DuPont.

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire in receptacle container; No injuries reported

A fire at a Kipp Corporation building was put out by the automatic sprinkler system, officials said Tuesday.

Crews were sent to the building in the 100 block of South Fair Oaks Avenue just after 7:30 a.m. Monday. A nearby EMS crew that was responding to an unrelated call noticed steam and smoke coming from the area.

Staff at the building reported that a receptacle that collected metal shavings, dust and debris caught fire. The sprinkler system in the receptacle triggered and the fire was put out before it could spread.

No injuries were reported.

Steinbach, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at window manufacturer; No injuries reported

There were no injuries from a fire Wednesday afternoon at Loewen in Steinbach.

The Steinbach Fire Department was called to the window manufacturer at approximately 2:30 pm. By then, the building was evacuated.

“Usually if we are getting a call at Loewen there is potential for a large fire,” says Fire Chief Kel Toews. 

Toews says when they arrived on scene they determined the fire was coming from within a wood hopper. 

“It was quickly extinguished,” he notes. “Fire damage was contained basically to that room.”

Toews notes the fire set off the sprinkler system and as a result there is water damage in the room below.

Jon Sawatzky is Director of Product and Marketing at Loewen. He says they are still waiting to hear the official cause of the fire and the extent of damage. But, he says damage appears minimal.

“Our staff did an incredible job of following protocol, which helped to keep everyone safe and we’re already back in operation, we’re thrilled and relieved to say that nobody was hurt,” said Sawatzky on Wednesday shortly after 4 pm.

“We also want to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the Steinbach Fire Department, Southern Health Emergency Medical Services, and the RCMP for the quick response in keeping us safe,” adds Sawatzky.

Perry, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at manufacturing plant; No injuries reported

A fire in a back room at Percival Scientific Inc. in Perry Saturday afternoon brought a response from the Perry Volunteer Fire Department.

No injuries were reported in the blaze, which was quickly extinguished at 505 Research Dr. after it activated the plant’s sprinkler system, according to public safety radio traffic.

Firefighters are investigating the cause of the fire at this hour.

Officers of the Perry Police Department also responded.

Dayton, OH – Sprinkler system holds fire in check until fire crews arrive; No injuries reported

An alert employee on Tuesday morning noticed a fire, shut down equipment involved and warned other workers before calling 911.

Crews responded around 7:45 a.m. to Polymershapes, 1680 Blauser Drive, for a report of a fire near a compressor.

The building, which houses three separate businesses, was evacuated before crews arrived and no injuries were reported, according to a release from Cameron Haller, chief of emergency services.

The sprinkler system held the fire in check, which was in a processing area on the southwest side of the building. Firefighters were able to quickly put it out.

The fire started near an industrial air compressor. The cause is undetermined but is unintentional. The total estimated loss to the structure is not yet determined, but the air compressor, which was destroyed in the fire, has an estimated value of $100,000, Haller said.

The two other businesses in the building were able to return to normal operations.

Polymershapes offers a variety of plastic fabrication.

In addition to Tipp City Fire/EMS, West Milton, Bethel Twp., Troy and Vandalia fire departments assisted at the scene.

Battle Creek, MI – Sprinkler system activated for large manufacturing fire

Two people suffered minor injuries from a large manufacturing fire Wednesday morning in Battle Creek.

Firefighters were called in at 9:25 a.m. to a building owned by Transcontinental Michigan at 155 Brook St., according to a news release.

Responding units arrived on scene to find smoke coming from the garage opening on the side of the building.

Rescue 3 pulled an attack hose line, made an interior attack and quickly gained control of the fire with help from the fire suppression sprinkler unit that was directly over the machine that was on fire.

Fire units then performed ventilation to remove the trapped smoke in the building and checked for fire extension.

No firefighters were injured, but two company employees were checked by EMS for smoke inhalation.

They did not go to the hospital, however.

The cause of the fire was a malfunctioning machine, according to the Battle Creek Fire Department.

Madison, WI – Sprinkler systems kept weekend fires in check

Firefighters are crediting automatic sprinklers with keeping weekend fires under control over the weekend.

Officials with the Madison Fire Department said crews were first dispatched to a building on Research Park Boulevard Friday evening for a report of a machine on fire. When they made it to the fire, firefighters found it had been contained to the machine it started in thanks to an activated sprinkler just above it. Crews fully extinguished the fire with a dry chemical extinguisher.

All of the employees at the facility safely evacuated when the fire alarm first sounded. No one was injured.

On Sunday morning, firefighters responded to the 5600 block of Black Onyx Drive after a caller reported seeing flames coming from a balcony.

When firefighters arrived, they found the fire had been extinguished by a sprinkler on the second-floor balcony. Crews made their way to the balcony and confirmed there was no active fire, but they did find evidence there was one.

The fire didn’t extend past the siding into the building. Officials determined it was caused by a candle that had been burning on the balcony above.

No one was displaced by the fire.

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Fire sprinkler activated in commercial building fire; No injuries reported

Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to a fire in a commercial building on Mazenod Road around 6:47 am on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.

When crews arrived on the scene heavy smoke was seen throughout the structure and the internal fire sprinkler system was active. Firefighters launched an offensive attack and were able to contain the fire to an industrial compacting unit. The fire was declared under control at 7:26 am.

All staff in the building at the time of the fire were able to self-evacuate before emergency crews arrived.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is believed to have been accidental due to a bearing failure of a conveyor belt.

Racine, WI – Fire in aluminum sample shop contained by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

The Racine Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Modine Manufacturing, 1500 DeKoven Ave., shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Upon arrival, personnel from Engine 6 reported discovering a light haze inside the building and were directed to the complex’s “aluminum sample shop” where automatic fire sprinklers heads had activated.

Due to the smoke conditions, Quint 4 and Med 1 were tasked with search and rescue and assisting employees out of the building. 

“As a reminder to the general public, please treat all fire alarm activations as if there is a real fire. Please proceed to the nearest exit and reassemble with co-workers or family members in a preselected meeting spot,” the release advised.

The fire was brought under control in about an hour, RFD reported. 

The fire was fought by 24 RFD firefighters and no additional help was needed to suppress the blaze, the release said. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. 

The fire was contained to an aluminum particle collection machine, according to a release. Damage is estimated to be at $35,000. 

Salem, VA – Sprinkler system controls fire at tire company; No injuries reported

The Salem Fire & EMS Dept. is crediting a sprinkler system with helping to control a fire at a tire company Tuesday night.

Around 9:20 p.m., crews were dispatched to Yokohama Tire Corp. in the 1500 block of Indiana Street.

A moderate amount of smoke was coming from the building when the first unit arrived on scene. Within seven minutes of arrival, the fire was under control.

All personnel was safely evacuated from the building and no injuries were reported.

The fire was determined to be accidental; it caused about $10,000 in damage, according to the Salem Fire & EMS Fire Marshal’s Office.