Tag Archives: Afternoon (12pm-6pm)

Houston, TX – Sprinklers help control high rise apartment fire; no injuries

A fire broke out at a high rise in Midtown Saturday afternoon. It happened just before 4:30pm in the 5000 block of Fannin.

HFD arrived to find heavy smoke on the seventh floor of the high rise and a fire in the kitchen of an apartment. The sprinkler system was activated throughout the building. A second alarm was requested at 4:44pm. The fire was declared under control just before 5:30pm.

There was heavy smoke, water damage and fire damage to kitchen in the apartment.

The woman whose apartment the fire started in, tells Eyewitness News she was using her microwave when it shorted. She said she was able to get her kids and parents out of the apartment.

There were no injuries.

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.

Chillicothe, OH – Sprinklers help contain fire at Glatfelter building

A fire broke out inside a Glatfelter building Tuesday afternoon that had crews dousing hot spots for over an hour and a half.

Chillicothe Fire Department Assistant Chief Steve Gallagher said the department got the call at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Despite having the flames contained shortly before 1:00 p.m., crews stayed on the scene to continue to douse any areas that could be considered hot spots, due to the amount of wood by-products in the area.

According to Gallagher, the fire was in the building where the company processes wood chips, but was a “basic building fire.”

The biggest struggle for crews, Gallagher said, was the height of the building and getting up high enough to douse the flames from above. Gallagher said the sprinkler system helped in the quick containment of the fire.

At this time, Gallagher said they do not have an estimate on the damage.

San Antonio, TX – Sprinkler system extinguishes intentionally-set restaurant fire

Police are searching for two men who skipped out on their dinner tab only to return to a restaurant and set the bathroom on fire. The incident happened on Saturday, September 19 at the Golden Wok located in the 1400 block of SW Loop 410.

Police say the men had lunch at the restaurant then left without paying the bill.

About ten minutes later, the man with a T on his hat walked back inside, headed for the restroom and set a fire, according to investigators.

The automatic sprinkler system put out the fire.

Crime Stoppers has released images of the suspects and is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrests of the suspects.

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.

 

Marlborough, MA – Fire at Marriott Courtyard halted by sprinkler system

The Marriott Courtyard hotel on 75 Felton St. suffered heavy water damage Sunday after a dryer fire set off the sprinkler alarm system, said Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Gogan. According to Gogan, firefighters responded to the alarm at 2:11 p.m. and had cleared the scene by 3:30 p.m. A small fire began suddenly in the back of a dryer, and the resulting smoke set off the hotel’s sprinkler system.

“The fire was held in check by the sprinkler system,” Gogan said. “There was minimal smoke and fire damage but significant water damage to the basement of the hotel.” There are currently no cost estimates on the damage.

Buford, GA – Sprinklers contain fire at muffler shop; Spark from metal saw ignited fuel vapors

A fire sparked by a metal-cutting tool damaged a Buford-area muffler shop Thursday afternoon, according to Gwinnett Fire. No injuries were reported. Firefighters responded to the shop located at 803 West Shadburn Ferry Road at 2:51 p.m. after an employee called to report the blaze, the fire department said in a news release.

Gwinnett Fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge said the caller reported a car elevated on a mechanical lift had caught on fire. The blaze was held in check by the fire sprinkler system, but sent heavy smoke billowing from the building.

“Several employees were inside the business at the time and were working on the vehicle when the fire started,” Rutledge said in the news release. “The fire appears accidental and was caused by a spark from a saw that was being used to cut metal. The spark ignited nearby fuel vapors.”

The vehicle was heavily damaged. Extensive heat and smoke were sent throughout the mechanic bay. The fire was under control at 3:21 p.m., Rutledge said.

Auburn, IN – Fire in paint booth at Cooper-Standard Automotive contained by sprinkler system

Firefighters climb one of the Auburn Fire Department’s aerial ladders to reach the roof at Cooper-Standard Automotive, 207 S. West St., after a fire was reported at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday in a paint booth at the factory. The building’s sprinkler system activated, containing the fire, and firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze using hoses, Auburn Fire Chief Mike VanZile said. All Cooper employees were evacuated from the plant and accounted for, he added. Firefighters declared the situation under control at 3:20 p.m. Garrett firefighters assisted at the scene.

Bowling Green, KY – Fire at automotive manufacturer activates sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Firefighters lined the front of NASCO on Nashville Road in Bowling Green Thursday at noon. NASCO said metal dust particles from a worker welding ear the roof line and ventilation fans ignited, setting off the sprinkler system and forcing them to evacuate the building. The Bowling Green Fire Department responded with multiple trucks including a ladder truck. Crews used extinguishers to check the scene for hot spots. NASCO said only a few sprinklers went off during the incident and no one was hurt.

Chester, VA – Sprinkler system keeps apartment fire from spreading; Fire caused by clothes dryer motor malfunction

A fire Wednesday evening at an apartment complex in the Enon area of Chesterfield County has displaced three residents. The Chesterfield County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded at 5:37 p.m. to the 2300 block of Golden Garden Circle for a dryer on fire inside of an apartment, according to officials. 

Fire crews arrived to find a small amount of fire inside of the dryer. The fire sprinkler system had activated and extinguished the bulk of the fire, stopping it from spreading throughout the apartment. It took crews approximately 20 minutes to get the fire under control, according to a release. 

The fire started as a result of the dryer motor malfunctioning during operation. Two adults and one child were displaced and are being assisted by apartment management.