Tag Archives: Night (9pm-5am)

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Clinton, IA – Arson fire extinguished by sprinkler in janitor’s closet at local business

A Clinton man was arrested and charged with arson for his alleged role in a fire at a local business. According to the affidavit, on Sept. 16, at 3:16 a.m., communication dispatched the fire department and police officers to Collis, Inc., at 1710 S. 21st St. in reference to an unknown fire. Boyd, a supervisor at Collis, who was working at the time of the fire, called 911 from his cell phone to report the fire. The firemen arrived and found the fire located in a janitor’s closet. The fire activated the sprinkler system under the stairs and extinguished the fire as the firemen arrived.

The affidavit states that during the investigation of the cause and origin of the fire, investigators observed two possible locations as the cause of the fire. Based on the origin of the fire, investigators determined the fire was intentionally set in the janitor’s closet.

The affidavit continues that during the investigation they were able to identify Boyd as a possible suspect and Boyd was interviewed. During the interview, Boyd allegedly admitted he went into the janitor’s closet to get some garbage cans for his area. Boyd stated that while he was in the closet he used matches to light a box on fire, shut the door and then he left the closet. At the time of the fire, there were approximately 20 other employees in Collis working.

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 - Retail, Retail

Center Point, AL – Sprinkler system credited with saving business, shopping center

A sprinkler system is being credited with saving a Center Point business from burning to the ground early Wednesday morning. Someone driving past the Center Point Shopping center noticed smoke coming from the Cleaners and called 911.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 1:30 a.m., but the sprinklers had already extinguished the fire. Center Point Fire Chief Donnie West tells ABC 33/40, the situation could have been much worse had the sprinklers not put the fire out.

The buildings in the shopping center are all connected and West says flammable chemicals inside the business would have quickly caused the fire to spread. The cause of what started the fire remains under investigation.

 

Food Processing, Manufacturing

Baton Rouge, LA – Sprinkler system keeps fire from spreading at grocery distribution center

Firefighters were called out to a small fire caused by a piece of equipment inside a large distribution center early Monday morning.

The St. George Fire Department reported it happened at Associated Grocers just before 1:30 a.m.

Eldon Ledoux with SGFD said firefighters found a floor-sweeping machine on fire inside and there was heavy smoke.

He added the workers had made it out safely and no one was injured.

Officials said the sprinkler system helped to keep the fire from spreading and firemen finished putting it out.

According to Ledoux, there was only minor damage. Firefighters also ventilated the smoke from the building.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Virginia Beach, VA – Boardwalk restaurant fire doused by sprinkler system

A restaurant in Red Mill Walk caught on fire early this morning. The Virginia Beach Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 2277 Upton Drive around 1:22 a.m., a news release from Battalion Chief Eric Wilkerson says. Fire crews forced their way into Suite 714 — home to Back Bay Gourmet, according to Red Mill Commons’ website — and found the fire in a storage room had been extinguished by the sprinklers. The fire was under control at 1:49 a.m. as the crews worked on controlling the sprinkler system and salvage, the release says. Smoke, fire and water damage was contained to the restaurant. No one was hurt, and the fire remains under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Waynesboro, VA – Sprinkler system activates to keep fire small at Moose Lodge

Waynesboro Fire Department Deputy Chief James Bradley said the alarm company called the fire department around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“It started in the bar area,” he said. “It’s a sprinkler building, so it was a relatively small fire, but there was a considerable amount of damage.”

This is the second time a fire has damaged the building. The first fire was in 1978, Kochis said.

She said the employees left the lodge around 11 p.m. and no one was there when the fire started.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire within 30 minutes, but remained at the scene until 3 a.m., clearing the building of smoke.

The damage is covered by insurance, and Kochis said they may be unable to open for a week or two.

“We always have bingo every Sunday afternoon with at least 110 people and sometimes 120 or 130,” Kochis said. “It just depends on what is going on, but we won’t have bingo this Sunday.”

Bradley says the fire remains under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Norfolk, VA – Early morning apartment fire put out by sprinkler system

Multiple people have been displaced following a fire in a Norfolk apartment building Tuesday morning, officials said. The fire, which began in a kitchen at 3:30 a.m. at 819 West 38th Street, was put out by the complex’s sprinkler system before fire units arrived on the scene. No injuries were reported. Red Cross is assisting the six adults and eight children who were displaced by the incident.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activates in overnight fire at manufacturing plant

Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating a blaze at Arauco North America. Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services was called to the Base Line site, formerly Flakeboard, at about 11:50 p.m. on Sunday.

A sprinkler system was activated. Arauco workers were fighting a fire in a press machine and dust collection system, said platoon chief Stan Martynuck. Firefighters took over.

Spot fires followed in the early morning Monday. The fire was under control by 8 a.m., said Martynuck. The fire department was on scene until 5 p.m.

One firefighter received minor injuries. He was not taken to Sault Area Hospital.

Cause of the blaze is under investigation by fire prevention officer Carlo Provenzano and OFM investigators. Heavy damage prompted OFM participation, said Martynuck.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential, Residential High Rise

Nashville, TN – No one hurt in senior high-rise after sprinklers extinguish overnight fire

Emergency crews evacuated a Nashville retirement home early Monday after a resident reportedly fell asleep while smoking and caught a chair on fire, a fire spokesman said. Fire crews responded about 1:15 a.m. to Trevecca Towers at 60 Lester Ave. for a report of smoke at the 16-story building, Nashville Fire Department spokesman Brian Haas said.

Arriving crews evacuated the tower and found several pieces of furniture on fire in a room on the second floor, Haas said. The building’s sprinklers put the fire out shortly after crews arrived, Haas said.

“We have a lot of residents whose families are concerned,” said Tyler Jones, the building’s manager. “Thankfully, the sprinkler system worked as designed, so we’re grateful no one was hurt.”

Nearly two dozen residents were displaced, Haas said, but some of them were able to be housed at vacant units in the same building. The American Red Cross was called in to contact families of the other displaced residents to find temporary homes until their units are repaired. The nonprofit agency also provided cots for a few other displaced residents.

Although the facility may also have to put some displaced residents in hotel rooms, Jones said he wants to assure families that the residents will be taken care of.

 

Hotel / Motel, Other - Residential

Daytona Beach, FL – Mattress fire at residential building put out by sprinkler system

Firefighters responded to a mattress fire at the Three Oaks Inn at 331 S. Palmetto Ave. about 12:40 a.m. Wednesday. The fire is believed to have started because of someone smoking in bed, Daytona Beach fire spokeswoman Julie Maddux said. The building’s sprinkler system put the fire out. About 35 people were displaced. The displaced residents were assisted by the Red Cross.