Category Archives: Apartment Building

Apartment Building, Residential

Everett, WA – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at apartment complex

On February 14th at 11:10pm the Everett Fire Department responded to an apartment fire at Housing Hope’s New Century Apartments at 2507 Howard Avenue. Thanks to smoke alarms and a sprinkler system, the fire didn’t spread beyond the occupant’s bedroom.

Here’s what the Everett Fire Department reported:

The apartment occupants reported hearing a loud pop, followed by the activation of the smoke alarm.

The residents found a fire in the bedroom and attempted to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher before the sprinkler system activated.

Firefighters arrived within minutes of the call and found the apartment’s sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading. The fire was contained in the apartment’s bedroom, and the second and third floors suffered water damage.

The Everett Fire Marshal’s Office investigated and concluded that lithium-ion batteries in the home likely caused the fire. They have ruled the fire as accidental.

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used to power various devices such as smartphones, laptops, power banks, tablets, toys, e-cigarettes, smoke alarms, scooters, and vehicles. Since these batteries store a significant amount of energy, it is crucial to handle them with care. They can overheat, catch fire, or even explode if not treated properly. It is important to follow the recommended safety measures when using them. Everett Fire urges everyone to be cautious while handling lithium-ion batteries.

Here are some safety tips when using lithium-ion batteries:

  • Only purchase and use devices, batteries, and charging equipment that are listed by a nationally recognized testing lab and labeled accordingly.
  • Use charging equipment that is only compatible with your device. To be safe, use only the charging equipment that is supplied with your device.
  • Do not keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.
  • Do not put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycling is always the best option. Take the batteries to a battery recycling location or contact your local waste department for disposal instructions.
  • Stop using your device if the battery shows signs of damage, such as an unusual odor, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling, or change in color.
  • Only have device repairs performed by a qualified professional.
  • Larger batteries and equipment such as power tools and electric scooters should be charged in the garage, shed or carport away from living spaces.
  • Don’t charge or store battery devices near exits or along egress paths where they might hinder or block your escape should they catch fire or become involved in one.

For more information on lithium battery safety, visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA.org) website.

This incident serves as a good reminder to have working smoke alarms in your home. They are the first line of defense for early notification and evacuation should there be a fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Wilmington, DE – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire in apartment complex; No injuries reported

Wilmington firefighters made quick work of a kitchen fire in an apartment Saturday morning.

Crews arrived on-scene at 110 Towne Estates Drive at about 8:15 a.m. after a report of smoke coming from an apartment with alarms sounding.

Firefighters found flames in the kitchen, but the fire was being contained by the building’s sprinkler system.

The crews finished dousing the flames and turned off the sprinklers, and the situation was declared under control in about 10 minutes.

The apartment’s occupants weren’t home when the fire broke out, and no one was hurt.

The city’s Fire Marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire, and at this point, there’s no dollar estimate of the damage, which was said to be minimal due to the sprinklers activating.

Apartment Building, Residential

Wilmington, DE – Sprinkler system activated for third-floor apartment fire; No injuries reported

The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an apartment fire that occurred Tuesday evening.

Officials said just after 10:30 the Wilmington Fire Department was called to a residential structure fire in the 200 block of W 4th Street.

Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find smoke coming from the third-floor stairwell of a four-story, wood-framed apartment building situated at the intersection of W 4th Street and N Tatnall Street.

Firefighters quickly entered the building and located the source of the fire in a third-floor apartment. The blaze was being effectively managed by the building’s sprinkler system upon their arrival officials said. The fire department personnel extinguished a small fire located in one of the bedrooms and subsequently secured the sprinkler system to prevent further damage.

The activation of the sprinkler system played an important role in containing the fire. The apartment sustained only minor fire and smoke damage. The apartment directly below suffered water damage as a result of firefighting efforts. Officials said the quick containment of the fire allowed most residents to return to their apartments shortly after the fire was declared under control, about 15 minutes following the fire department’s arrival.

There were no reported injuries. The cause and origin of the fire are currently under investigation by the Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office.

Approximately 30 fire and EMS personnel were dispatched to the scene.

Apartment Building, Residential

Ottawa, IL – Sprinkler system activated for fire in second-floor apartment

A downtown apartment’s sprinkler system is being credited by the Ottawa Fire Department for extinguishing a fire Wednesday morning and ensuring the safety of a resident within the home.

Ottawa firefighters received a call at 8:34 a.m. Wednesday to a second-floor apartment fire at 601 La Salle St., in which the resident still was inside the home. Before firefighters’ arrival, the sprinkler system had been activated, the fire department said in a news release sent Wednesday.

The resident of the apartment still was inside when fire crews entered the apartment. Despite minor injuries, she was assisted out of the apartment, received prompt medical attention and was taken to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa for further care, the fire department said.

“The importance of the sprinkler system in preventing a more severe incident cannot be overstated,” Deputy Fire Chief Michael Mills said. “It unquestionably prevented a potential tragedy, ensuring the safety of both the apartment and its occupant.”

After gaining control of the incident, salvage operations were initiated to minimize additional damage to the property. The fire’s origin was attributed to bedding material ignited by a nearby candle. It was deemed accidental.

The Ottawa Police Department and Ottawa Water Department assisted at the scene.

Apartment Building, Residential

Muscatine, IA – Sprinkler system activated for third-floor apartment fire; No injuries reported

The Muscatine Fire Department responded to an apartment fire Tuesday morning. No injuries were reported, but the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, Iowa are assisting with relocation efforts.

Tuesday at approximately 9:38 a.m. the Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received an automatic alarm for a sprinkler system that was set off at the Harrison Lofts apartments, 1716 Bandag Drive, according to a media release from the fire department. Crews said they found a fire in the kitchen area of a third-floor apartment that they were able to quickly put out. Three dogs were rescued and residents were evacuated as a precaution during the investigation.

Crews say the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and direct fire damage is estimated to be about $5,000 and water damage is estimated to be an additional $20,000.

While crews were on their way to the scene, MUSCOM advised that someone on scene had called to report smoke in the hallway of the third floor, so the response was upgraded to a structure fire response at that time.

Crews said upon arrival the source of the fire was found to be in a third-floor apartment, but maintenance staff had put the fire out with fire extinguishers.

Crews then said they began to evacuate the third-floor, checking to make sure the fire was all the way out, and then beginning to mitigate water from the sprinklers that went off.

The fire was contained to the area above the stove and the cabinets above the stove, crews said. Smoke damage was limited to the kitchen area with some light smoke in the rest of the apartment. The sprinklers were successful in keeping the fire from spreading.

The Muscatine Police Department and the Animal Control Officer responded to help with evacuation and ensure the safety of the pets from the apartment. The Muscatine Fire Department had 15 staff members who responded to the scene.

The Muscatine County Emergency Manger responded as well to assist with relocation efforts along with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army of Muscatine County, Iowa.

Apartment Building, Residential

Charlotte, NC – Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire; No injuries reported

Firefighters rescued two dogs from an apartment fire in north Charlotte Wednesday, officials said. 

Charlotte Fire responded to a fire at an apartment complex on Waterford Valley Circle, which is just off West W.T. Harris Boulevard and West Sugar Creek Road, around noon on Wednesday.

The fire was quickly put out by the building’s sprinkler system and no one was hurt during the incident, according to Charlotte Fire officials. Two dogs were rescued from inside the building and are expected to be OK.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. CFD posted photos and videos from the scene and there wasn’t any apparent damage to the building.

No further information was released.

Apartment Building, Residential

Marion, IA – Sprinkler system contains kitchen fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system contained a kitchen fire at the Marion apartment complex on Friday night.

The small fire happened in a third-floor apartment at Hilltop Manor on Lindale Drive.

The Marion Fire and Police Departments evacuated all residents from the apartment complex while they extinguished the fire.

Firefighters said the sprinkler system contained the fire to the kitchen and limited the fire and smoke damage to the room and the apartment building.

No one was hurt, and firefighters believe the fire was an accident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Peoria, IL – Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire; No injuries reported

Unattended cooking was deemed the cause of a fire at a newly built apartment complex, according to the Peoria Fire Department.

The fire occurred shortly after 10 p.m. Monday at the Providence Pointe Apartments, formerly known as Taft Homes. Crews were sent to the 100 block of Green Street and when they arrived, they found a two-story, eight-unit building with smoke coming from a first-floor unit.

The sprinkler system was operating and put out the fire. No one was found to be in the apartment. Damage was found to to the appliances and to the cabinets in the kitchen.

Water and smoke damage was found throughout, according to the department.

Two people will be displaced until restoration takes place and they were able to find their own
temporary housing.

Other residents in the building didn’t have to move temporary. There were no injuries. Damage was estimated at $25,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

Saco, ME – Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire

The Saco Fire Department responded to a 911 call last week and arrived to find an extinguished apartment fire, thanks to a fire sprinkler system.

The Saco Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call shortly before 8 p.m. Dec. 26 from the occupant of an apartment who discovered a fire in a bedroom, which was being contained by the building’s fire sprinkler system at the time of the call. The occupant alerted her daughter, and the family safely evacuated outside.

Fire crews arrived on the scene and saw no smoke or fire but did confirm the fire in the bedroom was fully extinguished by the fire sprinkler system, which was then shut off and drained to prevent any additional and unnecessary discharge of water.

The apartment is part of a complex consisting of two, three-story buildings connected by an enclosed breezeway with 24 units in total.

An investigation determined that a candle on top of a bookshelf ignited decorative items nearby and that some of these items dropped onto a plastic tote below, causing the ignition of the tote. The single side-wall sprinkler head in the bedroom performed as designed, and when it operated, water flowed in an umbrella-like fashion, wetting the bedroom and extinguishing the fire.

The Saco Fire Department is happy to report that the quick activation of the building fire sprinkler system prevented a developing fire from extending beyond the first few items ignited.

The department reminds everyone never to leave a burning candle unattended and that when in use, a candle should be at least 12 inches away from anything that can catch fire and that it is on a stable and heat-resistant surface.

Apartment Building, Residential

Los Angeles, CA – Sprinkler system contains third floor apartment fire; No injuries reported

Firefighters quickly doused a blaze that erupted in an Exposition Park apartment building this morning, officials said.

The fire, which was contained in a single unit on the third floor of the four-story structure at 3671 S Western Ave., was subdued by the building’s sprinkler system before the fire department arrived.

Upon receipt of a 9-1-1 call at 9:07 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department was dispatched to the scene.

According to LAFD, firefighters made entry and were able to extinguish the fire completely within 16 minutes, preventing the spread of flames and ensuring no injuries were reported.

The buildup of water from the sprinklers led to salvage operations by the crew to mitigate damage to the property.

The unit, part of a modern apartment complex comprised of three residential floors over parking, showed light smoke when the first responders arrived.

“Firefighters located fire in one unit on the 3rd floor being held in check by sprinklers,” stated LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart.

As a precaution, crews conducted thorough investigations to ensure that there were no remaining threats. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and details as to the extent of the damage have not been disclosed. According to the fire department’s estimate, the swift action of the sprinkler system and the efficiency of the responding teams curtailed what could have been a much more severe incident, a testament to the importance of fire safety systems in residential buildings.

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