Apartment Building, Residential

Fire squelched by sprinkler system in multi-story apartment building (Baton Rouge, LA)

A fire which began on the fifth floor of a downtown apartment building was eliminated by the building’s sprinkler system. The majority of the the apartment’s residents are seniors, and everyone was able to evacuate without injury. 

** Blog Editor’s Note – Please let us know what you think of the coverage by reporter Andrew Nomura and CBS 9News, which focused on water damage rather than the lives and property saved by the automatic fire sprinkler system **

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Assisted living facility fire contained by sprinkler system (Oak Ridge, TN)

According to Tennessee fire officials, the residents of Park Ridge Assisted Living are grateful for the sprinkler system in their building after a fire began on Friday, January 31. Thanks to the fire sprinkler system, residents were able to safely evacuate the building, and the damage to the building was contained to one room.

“The damage to the building was minimal, and no residents were displaced,” Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said. “Without the sprinkler system, we believe the outcome would be very different.”

Since 2003 the state of Tennessee mandated that fire sprinkler systems be installed in all nursing homes. 

“The adoption of sprinkler system legislation has no doubt saved countless lives,” said Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention Gary West. “The lifesaving capabilities of these systems can be the difference during a fire.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Sprinklers douse apartment fire started by small child (Vancouver, WA)

An eight-year old child started a fire in the bedroom of an apartment on Monday evening while using a lighter. The unit’s fire sprinkler activated and put out the majority of the fire before fire crews arrived.

“Automatic fire sprinklers keep fires small,” Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli said. “The (loss) potential was really great.”

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Sprinklers assist firefighters in restaurant fire (Lake Oswego, OR)

A fire broke out at a restaurant in the middle of the night Tuesday. A single fire sprinkler activated and contained the fire until fire crews arrived and eliminated the rest of the blaze. According to firefighters, the sprinkler systems quick response saved the restaurant from far worse damage. Investigators report that the heat from the stove conducted through the wall and started the wood studs on fire.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Sprinkler system saves 28 puppies from fire set by pet store owner (Las Vegas, NV)

Fire officials say a Las Vegas pet store owner is accused of setting her business ablaze, but all 28 puppies inside have been rescued.  Clark County Fire Department spokesman John Steinbeck says 35-year-old Gloria Lee was booked into the county jail on suspicion of first-degree arson after the fire early Monday morning at the Prince and Princess Puppy Boutique.  Steinbeck says in a statement issued early Saturday that the 28 puppies could have died if the sprinkler system hadn’t activated and firefighters hadn’t quickly extinguished the flames.  No people were injured.  County animal control officers took possession of the dogs, and they’re currently being housed at a local animal shelter.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in lower parking garage of high-rise building (Chicago, IL)

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE – FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED **

Early this morning, the Chicago Fire Department reported that a fire sprinkler system in the Franklin Center commercial high-rise at 227 W. Monroe extinguished a fire that was caused by an automobile in a lower level parking garage. 

 

“Too often we hear about the unsprinklered fires that cause major damage and injuries or deaths, but it’s even more important to highlight when larger fires are prevented thanks to the quick response of fire sprinklers,” says Tom Lia, executive director of the nonprofit Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board. “Today, a fire sprinkler system extinguished a car fire and prevented any harm to humans. That is why fire sprinklers are in the national model codes. They are vital to life and property protection in high-rises and all other occupancies as well.”
Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Hotel room cooking fire extinguished by fire sprinkler system (Chesapeake, VA)

No injuries were reported after a fire damaged a hotel room at the Extended Stay America.  Chesapeake firefighters were called to the scene about 7:45 p.m. and found heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the hotel, according to a news release.  The automatic fire sprinkler system inside the building was able to extinguish the room fire, the news release said. The cause of the fire appeared to be unattended cooking.

Apartment Building, Residential

Apartment fire extinguished by fire sprinkler system (Sneads Ferry, NC)

Nearly 30 people were displaced after a small fire set off water sprinklers at a apartment complex.  The fire started at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday in the kitchen area of one of the apartment units but was immediately contained and put out. The fire was minor, and no injuries were reported.  The fire’s investigation is closed, and it was ruled an accident.

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