Category Archives: Other Business

Other Business

Bend, OR – Fire at kettle corn business knocked down with help from sprinkler system

Sprinklers and workers wielding fire extinguishers helped limit the damage when spontaneous combustion of soybean oil sparked a fire at a southwest Bend kettle corn business, fire officials said.  Firefighters responded around 3:45 p.m. to the reported structure fire at Suzy Q’s Kettle Corn, located in a small commercial mall on Southwest Division Street, said Battalion Chief Dave Howe.

The first crews to arrive found three sprinkler heads had activated and two people deploying fire extinguishers, Howe said.  Firefighters made a quick knockdown of the fire and performed extensive overhaul and salvage, he said, noting that the fire sprinkler system helped contain the blaze until firefighters arrived on scene.  Losses were estimated at $20,000 to the building and $10,000 worth of contents, both of which were insured, the fire official said.  The fire’s cause was determined to be spontaneous combustion of natural soybean oils in fabric, Howe said.  The fire official reminded the community that many types of natural oils can combust without a source of ignition, if not handled correctly. “Please follow the directions for disposal on all containers of natural oils,” Howe said.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Fair Lawn, NJ – Arson fire at commercial building extinguished by sprinkler system

A man was charged with burglary and arson after he broke into a River Road building and set a trash can on fire, police said.  Police responded to 13-09 River Road on a report of a fire.  Police found that a fire had occurred in the building’s trash room and that the sprinkler system extinguished it.  Detective Paul Donohue investigated and, after reviewing video evidence, arrested Edward Ostrowicz, 26, of Saddle River, Metzler said. Ostrowicz is homeless, but found him at his parents’ home, police said.

Other Business, Place of Worship

Battle Ground, WA – Fire at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses contained by sprinkler system

Fire sprinklers likely saved a Battle Ground-area church from more extensive damage after a food dehydrator sparked a fire Sunday night in its attached garage.  Around 9:20 p.m., crews from Clark County Fire & Rescue were dispatched to the Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall north of Battle Ground, at 33209 N.E. Lewisville Highway, for a report of a structure fire.  Deputy Clark County Fire Marshal Curtis Eavenson said a fault in a food dehydrating device sparked a small fire in a garage attached to the church. The dehydrator appeared to be homemade.  The sprinkler system limited the damage to a roughly 3-square-foot area, causing about $4,000 to $5,000 in damage.  “The sprinkler system saved the day,” Eavenson said. “Once again, the value of fire sprinklers are very evident there.”  The dehydrator was being used to dry some fruit, he said.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Cedar Rapids, IA – Sprinkler system significantly helps control spread of fire at recycling center

A commercial recycling center suffered significant smoke and water damage, but minor structural damage in a fire Wednesday night.

According to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department, crews were called to a commercial recycling center owned by Republic Services Recycling at 4250 Sixth St. SW at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday for a report of an automated alarm. Responding firefighters discovered there was a fire in the building and encountered heavy smoke.

The fire department said the size of the building required a “prolonged search” to find the origin of the fire. Additionally, cold temperatures and the amount of work required at the scene led firefighters to call for additional units.

The fire was eventually found in recycling paper bundles. Firefighters said the building’s sprinkler system “contributed significantly” to controlling the spread of the fire.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, College/University (on campus)

Lewiston, ID – Laundry fire at on-campus college activity center put out by single sprinkler

A fire at Lewis-Clark State College late last night caused an estimated $25,000 in damage. According to a press release, Lewiston Fire crews were dispatched to a reported water flow alarm at the Activity Center at 11:40 p.m.  Once on scene, crews were advised by LCSC security personnel that an alarm was sounding in the activity center. Initial crews began a search and found smoke in the basement.

“The basement had several areas near the locker room with water on the floor. After searching several rooms, it was discovered that there had been a fire in a dryer in the laundry room, and the sprinkler system had a single head that had activated and extinguished the fire,” the press release states.

Fire crews remained on scene for another hour to assist with getting the sprinkler system shut down, evacuating the smoke, and to confirm there was no extension of the fire. The cause of the fire appears to be a malfunction with the commercial dryer in the laundry room. The department responded with three structural engines, one ambulance, one truck, one service unit, and one chief officer, totaling 13 personnel. There were no citizen or firefighter injuries to report.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Bowling Green, KY – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire, prevents it from spreading in downtown building

At about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Bowling Green Fire Department responded to a structure fire with visible flames on the third floor at 423 Park Row, the building adjacent to the Brewing Co.  Three fire trucks responded to the call and immediately started preparing a ladder truck to allow firefighters access to the roof. Once they gained access, they found a small fire had been extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system.

“On a large building we will try to determine exactly where it is before we start committing resources to the wrong area,” BGFD Chief Jason Colson said. “We’ve shut down the sprinkler system and stopped water from flowing in the building.”  Firefighters also went into the surrounding buildings to verify that there weren’t any other issues or possible fires. Colson said no further fire resources were needed and both buildings were unoccupied.  The cause of the fire was undetermined as of 8:30 p.m. Fire investigators were called to the scene. BGFD was attempting Thursday night to make contact with the building owner.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Albuquerque, NM – Sprinkler systems help protect businesses in string of arson fires

The Federal Bureau of Investigations confirms one person is in custody following a string of fires at several Albuquerque businesses Saturday morning.

Albuquerque Police Chief Gorden Eden would not elaborate on the suspect’s connection to the fires.

“We do have a person in custody and we firmly believe that our community is safe and this should not happen again,” said Chief Eden.

The FBI is leading the investigation and they have not released any details on who was taken into custody or what charges that person faces. APD says it is helping the FBI, ATF and State Police gather evidence.

Albuquerque Police Arrested the suspect Saturday morning in connection with a fire at the Barnes and Noble at Coronado Center, another fire at the Old Navy Store on Cutler near San Mateo and a fire at the Shred It center on Broadway.

Those businesses all suffered fire and smoke damage as well as water damage from sprinkler systems set off by the fires.

There were similar incidents at three Starbucks locations in Albuquerque on Friday morning.

Office Building, Other Business

North Charleston, SC – Overnight fire at office park held in check by sprinkler system

Emergency crews have extinguished a fire at a business in Park Circle Tuesday night.  Crews with the North Charleston Fire Department responded to the fire at the ALSCO building on 4921 Chateau Ave.  NCFD officials reported at 10:47 p.m. that the fire was under control.  Authorities said the fire was kept in check by the sprinkler system until crews made entry to extinguish the fire fully.

There were no reported injuries.  Residents in the area reported multiple fire trucks responding to the incident.  A motorist said authorities had shut down a portion of the road as crews worked the fire.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, Other Business

Oxnard, CA – Overnight fire at golf course clubhouse contained with help from sprinkler system

Thanks to the quick response of the Oxnard Fire Department and the help of fire units from the city of Ventura, Ventura County and Santa Paula, River Ridge Golf Course was spared any serious damage from a fire that broke out in the early morning hours last Thursday.

The fire, which was initially reported at 2:35 a.m., was located on the exterior portion of the west side of the clubhouse building which is on the opposite side of the pro shop.

Fire crews had the flames basically out by 3:12 a.m.

“We got lucky,” River Ridge General Manager Otto Kanny said. “The pictures looked pretty spectacular but we’re fine. We got a great response from the fire crews so the fire was contained on the west side exterior of the building.

“We had a lot of cleanup and patching up, tedious stuff like that and trying to get the stink out. But we got really lucky.”

When Kanny arrived that morning he said there were at least 20 firetrucks battling the blaze. It started on the farthest corner of the outside railing of the building and the flames worked their way up the pillars on the outside of the patio on that side of the building.

But thanks to the firewalls on the outside of the building, the sprinkler system and the quick work of the firefighters, the area the fire got into was minimized.

“The fire got within four feet of getting to the drapes in the banquet room,” Kanny said. “Had that happened, the fire would have climbed into the attic and that point we would have lost half of the clubhouse. We were very fortunate.”

The last of the fire crews left at 6 a.m. and Kanny said the first golfers started arriving at 6:30.

They had no power until 11 a.m., but Kanny said the pro shop staff and the rest of the River Ridge crew did yeoman’s work in making sure customers were taken care of and that golfers were able to play Thursday.

Because of the water used to put out the blaze, the banquet facility is not operational. As word got out about the fire, people in the golf business, such as Eric Burton at the city of Ventura and Saticoy Country Club general manager Phil Lopez called and offered any help they could provide.

“It was amazing to see the outreach from people in the community,” Kanny said. “With the help of others in the community we were able to hold all of the functions that were scheduled this weekend.”

Kanny said there is no word yet on what caused the fire and there is a good chance the exact cause will never be determined.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Thurmont, MD – Fire at catalog business controlled with assistance from sprinkler system

Frederick County Fire and Rescue responded to a building fire around noon on Saturday on Apples Church Road in Thurmont, Md.  Official said smoke was coming from the top of a building which led neighbors to call 911. Fire officials said that the sprinkler system went on which helped calm down the fire, but fire crews did use fire hoses. Locals said that a catalog business is located in that building and the property owner and businesses owner was on site. No one was harmed in this incident

“Once the smoke gets cleared out then we will go in and make sure that the fire is completely out, there is no areas and the Fire Marshall will do their determination and figure out what caused the fire,” said Battalion Chief, Doug Wallick.

This is an open investigation.