Category Archives: Other / Not Specified

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Wilsonville, OR – Sprinklers limit damage in paint room fire at building materials supplier

Authorities are crediting a fire sprinkler for preventing a Thursday morning blaze at OrePac in Wilsonville from causing major damage. Just before 6 a.m., firefighters with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a fire in a paint room at the business at 30160 S.W. Orepac Way, according to a news release.

Initial reports indicated that the paint room contained a gas line, paint products, air guns and pressure tanks, all of which could pose potential hazards for firefighters and workers. Upon arriving on scene, firefighters found light smoke coming from the industrial building.

Thanks to a fire sprinkler in the paint room, along with employees using fire extinguishers, the fire was out when firefighters entered the paint room. A TVFR investigator determined that the fire resulted from the spontaneous combustion of improperly disposed rags that been used for staining. Due to the minimal damage caused by the blaze, no repairs will be necessary, according to the news release.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Chattanooga, TN – Sprinkler system helps contain fire at non-profit center for disabled individuals

Clean up continues at the Orange Grove Center after a small fire Wednesday afternoon left the facility with smoke and water damage.  The fire happened around 2 p.m. when employees were working to install a new conveyor belt in the Materials Recovery Facility.  Fire officials believe sparks from the torch used to install it started the fire. 

The fire damage was only around the conveyor belt, but fire officials say it will take some time for Orange Grove to clean up after the smoke damage, and water from the sprinkler system. There were no injuries.

The fire happened around 2 p.m. when employees were working to install a new conveyor belt in the Materials Recovery Facility. Fire officials believe sparks from the torch used to install it started the fire.  The Orange Grove Center is a private non-profit organization, serving adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Nearly 225 people were evacuated from the Orange Grove Center, after a conveyor belt caught fire.

“You could see the belt was on fire itself and the material on it was on fire,” said Bruce Garner, Public Information Officer for the Chattanooga Fire Department. “This involved a lot of combustibles with petroleum based products; computers, plastics, things like that. They burn hot and put out a lot of smoke. It’s like burning a tire.”

 

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Barrie, ON, Canada – Fire contained to equipment room by sprinkler system

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has been contacted, following a late night fire at Global Electric Electronic Processing in Barrie. Barrie fire crews were called to John Street on Saturday night, around 10 p.m. to contend with smoke and flames. Officials say a sprinkler system contained the fire to an equipment room until firefighters arrived and extinguished the flames.

Staff evacuated the building quickly and no injuries are reported. The OFM will sift through the debris on Monday to determine a cause and damage estimate. A private security firm has been hired to secure the property during the investigation. This is the fourth time in the last 12 months that Barrie fire crews have been called to Geep.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Everett, WA – Sprinklers help contain fire that jumped from burning vehicle to building

At 4:15 a.m. cell phone callers reported a loud boom and truck fire in the alley next to a building on the 2700 block of Rockefeller Avenue.

Everett Police were the first to arrive on scene and reported a truck fire spreading to the building. The fire was able to spread to the basement and second floor setting off the fire sprinkler system. The first arriving engine made an aggressive offensive attack knocking down the fire within minutes. The incident commander ordered a search of the building while the fire attack was in progress. Firefighters used chainsaws to open the roof looking for any hidden fire. The fire was completely controlled in approximately 20 minutes.

Due to a quick response by firefighters and the fire sprinkler system the fire was contained to the exterior of the building. The rest of the building was impacted by smoke and water damage.

There were no reports of injuries. Everett fire and police detectives are investigating. There is no estimate of a dollar loss at this time.

Other / Not Specified

Savannah, GA – Sprinklers keep parking garage fire from spreading

According to Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police, Whitaker Street was closed at Bay Street for about an hour on Friday night, while Savannah Fire worked a vehicle fire in the Whitaker Street Parking Garage. According to Savannah Fire’s Public Information Officer, Mark Keller, an SUV caught fire on the lower level of the garage, triggering the garage sprinkler system, which prevented the fire from spreading. One nearby vehicle may have received minor damage.

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. 

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.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Eureka, CA – Sprinkler system extinguishes early morning arson fire at Wharfinger Building

Humboldt Bay Fire responded to multiple arson fires in the early morning hours of today and Wednesday. There were a total of six fires reported to fire officials. The most significant fire was at the city of Eureka Wharfinger Building. The fire was large enough to activate the sprinkler system which extinguished the fire. Humboldt Bay Fire was notified via the activation of the sprinkler alarm system. Damage to the facility was minimal as the sprinkler system functioned properly and prevented the fire from spreading to the structure.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Glen Echo Park, MD – Fire in art studio at historic property extinguished by sprinkler system

An electrical fire in an art studio and classroom space at historic Glen Echo Park has that part of the facility closed on Friday.

The fire was caused by an electrical problem related to a thermostat installed in the wall, according to MCFRS spokesperson Pete Piringer. Firefighers were called to the scene at about 3:15 a.m. Friday.

It happened in the Park’s Yellow Barn Studio.  Piringer said a sprinkler system put out the fire and damage was valued at less than $10,000.

Glen Echo Park said later that Friday morning that all classes in the Yellow Barn Studio are canceled today. The SilverWorks studio is also closed as Park officials wait until power is restored to the buildings.