Tag Archives: Illinois

Office Building, Other Business

Overnight fire at business contained by sprinkler system (Des Plaines, IL)

Sprinklers helped contain what could have been a much larger fire in a Des Plaines business building early Sunday morning. According to Fire Chief Alan Wax, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames with the aid of automatic fire sprinklers in the building. No one was in the building when the fire broke out and no one was injured, Wax added. “There is a lesson here,” said Wax. “This building was required to install fire sprinklers when it was remodeled about 15 years ago. The sprinklers definitely saved this building and the various occupancies within it.” Wax added had the sprinklers not been activated, the fire could have advanced deep into the building’s open wooden truss ceiling, further damaging the structure.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Sprinkler system extinguishes office fire at local restaurant (Lake Zurich, IL)

*** FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED – NO MEDIA COVERAGE *** On the evening of January 14, 2013, the Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm activation at 769 W. Hwy 22 (Kobe East) in Lake Zurich. The first arriving companies, upon entry, found light smoke in the building and the sound of water running. Upon investigation, a burnt/melted electrical strip was found with signs of heat extension up the wall. The fire was not only controlled but also extinguished by activation of a single sprinkler head. Due to the activation of the sprinkler system, the fire was contained to the room of origin and no further fire suppression activities were required. The fire companies assisted in salvage, water clean up, fire investigation, sprinkler system restoration, cause and origin investigation and stand-by for continued community service. Currently, Kobe East is awaiting health department approval to reopen.

The fire appears to be accidental/electrical in nature. All crews returned to service after salvage operations

Apartment Building, Residential

Single sprinkler head extinguishes apartment fire (Tinley Park, IL)

*** FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED – NO MEDIA COVERAGE *** NAME OF OCCUPANCY: Edgewater Walk Apartments TYPE OF OCCUPANCY: Multi-Family Residetial (24-units) NUMBER & TYPE OF SPRINKLER HEADS ACTIVATED: One; Residential sidewall REASON FOR ACTIVATION: Stove fire FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ACTIVATION: Unattended cooking No injuries reported and no residents were displaced. According to the Tinley Park Fire Department … Without this life safety equipment the fire would have likely extended outside the apartment unit.”

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Grocery store fire suppressed by two sprinklers (Oakbrook Terrace, IL)

*** NO MEDIA COVERAGE AVAILABLE *** The Oakbrook Terrace Fire Protection District reported a fire alarm activation at roughly 11:30 PM on Sunday, Nov. 25 at an approximately 60,000 square foot fresh market grocery store. A fire in the cooler / meat preparation area was suppressed by two ceiling mounted fire sprinkler heads. No hand lines were required for final extinguishment.

Apartment Building, Residential

Residential sprinkler system extinguishes late night apartment fire (Normal, IL)

A late night kitchen fire in an apartment was suppressed by a residential sprinkler activation, which allowed the occupant to escape and prevented significant damage to the building, firefighters said Wednesday.  A single sprinkler head had activated and extinguished all but a small fire under the kitchen cabinets, which was quickly extinguished with a handheld pump can. There were no injuries.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Sprinkler system aids firefighters at nursing home garage fire (Chicago, IL)

A car in a lower-level parking garage at a nursing home caught on fire, according to Fire Media Affairs. The 9-story nursing home’s sprinkler system was activated and firefighters walked through each floor and stairwell to make sure that no one was injured, according to Fire Media. There were no reported injuries or transports to hospitals.