Category Archives: Other Business

Office Building, Other Business

Washington, NJ – Fire in records storage area at corporate building contained by sprinkler system

The cause of a fire in a storage area of the Albea Americas Corp. in Washington on Sunday remains under investigation, a fire official said. The blaze broke out around 6:15 a.m Sunday at 191 Route 31 in what the company refers to as its “tech area” on the building’s main floor, said Washington Fire Chief Bob Cammarota. He said the room mostly contained a storage area of paper records.

Once the sprinkler system went off, it helped keep the fire contained to the single area, Cammarota said. “It was a fire that could have been much worse,” he said. “The sprinkler system helped out a lot.”

About 20 employees on the overnight crew were evacuated safely and eventually were allowed back in the building, Cammarota said. He said they could work inside, but were told by fire officials to avoid entering the storage area.

Cammarota said the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate.  An Albea Americas spokesman did not immediately return an email request for information. Albea is a global leader in personal care and cosmetic packaging, according to the company’s website.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Fire at refuse center confined to garbage truck by sprinkler system

Fire agencies responded to a fire at South Tahoe Refuse on Ruth Avenue earlier Tuesday  evening.  According to South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Jeff Meston, the fire started at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The city called in assistance from Tahoe-Douglas Fire Protection District, Lake Valley Fire Protection District, Fallen Leaf Fire Department and CalFire.

“The fire was controlled by fire suppression sprinkler system and we were able to confine it to the garbage truck itself,” Meston said.

The department suspects the fire was caused an accumulation of materials between the truck’s cab and body.

 

Office Building, Other Business

Madison, WI – Overnight fire at downtown office building extinguished by sprinkler system

The building that houses the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development (WHEDA) is closed Wednesday due to a fire that broke out overnight according to a release from WHEDA. Madison Fire Department said they were called to the Tommy Thompson Commerce Center around 1:06 a.m. for an activated alarm.

Fire officials said when firefighters arrived the fire was out. They say a high-voltage power supply to the building shorted and caused sparks to shower down on some plastic materials underneath. A small fire ignited, and the automatic sprinkler system in the room caught the fire early.

A representative from WHEDA says there is no power in the building, and it’s completely closed at this time. Power is not expected to be restored until Thursday. Employees have been told not to report to work until they are notified.

Fire officials say there’s limited fire damage to the room and a small amount of smoke damage in the area where the fire took place.

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), the Educational Approval Board, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Tourism also have offices located in the Tommy Thompson Commerce Center.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, Other Business

Palm Beach, FL – Fire at Bath & Tennis Club quickly extinguished by sprinkler system

Traffic was rerouted this evening around the Bath & Tennis Club in the 1100 block of South Ocean Boulevard due to a small fire from a garbage can in the paint shop that was extinguished quickly, said Palm Beach Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Sean Baker. The road was open again by 7:15.

“Some paper products caught fire and the sprinkler system held the fire in check,” Baker said. “It was out pretty quickly.” Baker said there was no smoke damage, only water damage

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Akron, OH – Sprinklers help control fire and limit damage in fire at funeral home

Akron firefighters are investigating the cause of a Wednesday-morning fire at a South Main Street funeral home. The fire broke out about 9 a.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home in the 1900 block of South Main Street. A smoke alarm alerted firefighters.

Several employees were inside the building when the alarm sounded. No one was injured.

Akron Fire Department Capt. Don Klein said firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters found the fire burning in the attic near the side of the building. Firefighters attacked the blaze from the inside first, then put the rest of the fire out from the outside, Klein said.

The fire was under control within about 10 minutes, and it took about 40 minutes to completely extinguish the blaze. “About 10 more minutes it would have been really bad,” Klein said. “These guys got here really quick and did a great job.”

Officials have no estimate of how much damage the fire caused. The attic sustained smoke and fire damage. Water from the firefighters and the building’s sprinkler system caused most of the damage, Klein said.

Fire investigators said it’s too early to tell the cause of the fire. They are investigating several possibilities, including an electrical problem or that the fire was started because of a new crematorium recently installed in the building.

Eric Anthony, an employee of the funeral home, said the fire would not interrupt business. He said they expected to reopen soon.No funerals will be affected by the fire, he said.

 

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Fitchburg, MA – Recycling plant fire contained by sprinkler system

Crews returning from a box alarm call noticed smoke pouring out of AKS Recycling and reacted quickly, extinguishing a fire in the Cobbler Dr. building early Sunday morning.

Fire fighters were on the way back to the station after checking in on an alarm at Steel-Fab on Crawford St. just before 6 a.m. when they saw smoke coming from AKS Recycling, according to Deputy Chief Dave Gravel. The building’s sprinkler system had activated, containing the fire and keeping it from spreading, he said.

With crews immediately at the scene, the fire was put out without any injuries. There has been no determination on what caused the fire at the recycling plant, but Gravel says it’s not believed to be suspicious.

Office Building, Other Business

Richmond, VA – High-rise office fire put out by sprinkler system; No injuries

A fire inside the James Madison Building in downtown Richmond caused smoke but no reported injuries Thursday. Firefighters were called at 1:28 p.m. to the building at 109 Governor St., which houses the Virginia Department of Health, said Richmond fire Lt. Chris Armstrong. Hundreds of employees gathered outside after the building was evacuated.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental and the result of a malfunctioning microwave, Virginia State Police said in a news release. The fire started on the third floor, Armstrong said. The sprinkler system put out the fire, and crews were working to clean up the water, he said.

The building was closed Thursday and will remain closed today. The state hopes to reopen the building Tuesday, after Monday’s Columbus Day holiday.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Petaluma, CA – Fire at animal shelter controlled with help from sprinkler system

Fire calls, week of Sept. 21 through Sept 27 — SATURDAY, SEPT. 26 – 2:19 p.m. — Light smoke was coming from the rear of the Petaluma Animal Shelter at 840 Hopper Street when Petaluma firefighters arrived at the scene. A fire was found burning inside of a commercial-style dryer inside of the shelter, where a fire sprinkler was functining. Firefighters finished extinguishing the fire and stayed on scene to help remove water and smoke from the premises.

 

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Thousand Oaks, CA – Arson fire at Planned Parenthood facility is extinguished by sprinkler system

Authorities today are investigating the arson fire late Wednesday night in the lobby of the Planed Parenthood facility in Thousand Oaks.

The fire alarm sounded at 11:28 p.m. in the building at 1200 Hillcrest Drive, said Capt. Mike Lindbery of the Ventura County Fire Department, and only one engine responded because it was a commercial building and not a residence.

“When they arrived on scene, they found a window broken out and a fire sprinkler system functioning,” Lindbery said. “Upon further investigation, they discovered the smell of gasoline in the room, and it appeared a small fire had broken out and it had been extinguished by the sprinkler system.”

Firefighters shut off the sprinkler system and called the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, which is leading the investigation.

Investigators have a brief video of a suspect but they cannot tell if it was a man or woman.

“One suspect approached the clinic and used the rock to break the glass and tossed an accelerant inside and ignited it,” said Capt. John Reilly of the sheriff’s department.

“We have a brief video of someone walking by the location wearing a hoodie and face mask completely concealing (their) identity. Judging by the walk, they think it was a male.”

The broken window has been boarded up and a Planned Parenthood official said the office was closed but will open again, although no date was given, Reilly said.

The damage to the facility is still being assessed. Reilly said fire officials told him that the water from the sprinklers did more damage than the fire.

The fire comes as the organization is the focus of a contentious nationwide debate about government funding of Planned Parenthood.

This week Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards faced tough questions from Republicans at a congressional hearing about the organization’s business practices.

The battle broke out in July when videos were released by a group of anti-abortion activists who claimed Planned Parenthood has illegally profited from the sale of fetal tissue.

Wednesday night’s attack drew a sharp response from Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

“The toxic rhetoric directed at Planned Parenthood has dangerous consequences. It sends a signal that using violence to close clinics and intimidate health care professionals and women is ‘OK.’ It is not,” she said in a statement.

“I’m grateful that no one in Thousand Oaks was hurt. My thoughts today are with the clinic’s staff, who provide compassionate care in spite of challenges no health care provider should have to face.”

Amy Everitt, state director at NARAL Pro-Choice California, also castigated the arson attack.

“This is domestic terrorism, plain and simple. Extremists who will stop at nothing to deny women legal abortion services. We have seen numerous examples of violence against abortion providers across the country over the last few years and we call on all, no matter what side of this debate you may fall on, to condemn this horrendous action.”

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Mesa, AZ – Single sprinkler prevents fire from spreading at large business complex

A sprinkler system kept a fire from spreading through a large Mesa business complex Monday morning. Crews from Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix and Chandler responded to the fire near Broadway and Alma School roads at around 6 a.m.

The fire started in an area of the building that was packed with auto parts. Firefighters were able to gain control of the fire pretty quickly thanks to a working sprinkler system. “We know that sprinklers of course save lives but we also know, importantly for a business, that it saves a building and a business in itself,” said Deputy Chief Forrest Smith with the Mesa Fire and Medical Department.

Smith said it appeared that one sprinkler head kept the fire in check. Officials said hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise and property were saved. No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.