Tag Archives: Oregon

Apartment Building, Residential

Apartment fire extinguished by sprinkler system (Ashland, OR)

February 27, 2014 viking210

At about 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 25, the Ashland Fire and Rescue responded to a call of a fire at an apartment building. Upon arrival, they discovered that the fire had been put out by the complex’s fire sprinkler system. The fire began near a blender in one of the apartment units; investigators believe that it was caused by an electrical short. 

“This was an eight-unit residential facility. We could have had a fire that damaged all eight units,” Ashland Fire Chief John Kams said. “It’s exactly why we’re trying to promote residential sprinklers.”

There were no injuries reported.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

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

February 4, 2014 viking210

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.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Fire on college campus put out by sprinkler system (Eugene, OR)

February 3, 2014 viking210

Two campus buildings were evacuated after a small fire erupted in one of the buildings on February 3. The building’s fire sprinkler put out the fire, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Fire extinguished by sprinkler system at natural food store (Portland, OR)

November 11, 2013 viking210

A late night fire at a natural food store began in one of the store’s coffee roasters. While the cause is still under investigation, the suppression of the fire is credited to the store’s fire sprinklers. All of the store’s employees were able to evacuate safely, and no one was injured.

Other - Retail, Retail

Sprinkler system aids firefighters at sporting goods store (Eugene, OR)

September 14, 2013 viking210

Fire investigators suspect that a fire that began on the second floor of a sporting goods store was caused by an electrical malfunction. According to fire chief Jeff Kronser, the fire sprinkler system activated and contained the fire until fire crews arrived. No one was injured in the incident.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Sprinklers stop fire from spreading at small business (Forest Grove, OR)

July 31, 2013 viking210

Forest Grove firefighter Matt Johnston said crews initially responded to an alarm at Oregon Holiday Products around 4 a.m. and found smoke at the building at 2331 23rd Ave.  Oregon Holiday Products makes scented pine cones for the holidays, and that involves cleaning the cones and applying cinnamon scent, plus packaging the product. Fire officials said the numerous bags of pine cones made it difficult for firefighters to operate. There’s no word yet on what caused the fire. Johnston said a sprinkler system played a big role in stopping the fire from spreading.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Sprinklers make the difference in manufacturing plant fire (Ashland, OR)

July 3, 2013 viking210

Fire alarms sounded at about 4:30 a.m. Sunday alerting Ashland Fire and Rescue to a fire at a manufacturer of electric vehicles.  The sprinkler heads only activated in the area of the fire, suppressing it to the room of origin and keeping it from spreading throughout the building holding $2.5 million worth of equipment, said Ashland Fire Battalion Chief Dana Sallee.  “It’s amazing how little damage was caused. The sprinkler system saved this building,” said Sallee.  “Fire sprinklers save lives, protect property and makes the fire department’s job a lot easier,” said Sallee.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, Other Business

YMCA fire contained by fire sprinkler system (Longview, OR)

March 13, 2013 viking210

Fire crews who responded to a fire in the sauna of a YMCA found the flames mostly doused by one of the building’s fire sprinklers.  The fire began due to a rubber mat being placed over the sauna’s heater in the women’s locker room, and thanks to the sprinkler system, fire damage was limited to that area, and no one was reported injured.

Longview Fire Marshal Jim Kambitz stated, “Without the fire sprinkler activation, this fire could have caused much more damage and placed lives at risk.”

Other - Retail, Retail

Fire at sporting goods showroom extinguished by sprinkler system (Hood River, OR)

March 11, 2013 viking210

Fire crews were called to investigate a fire. Upon arrival, fire crews found a fire fully extinguished by a single fire sprinkler in the Dakine showroom. The fire was confined to a small portion of one wall, with minor smoke damage to the remaining products in the show room. They said an electrical failure of one of the heating elements caused a shower of sparks and molten aluminum to fall down onto the backpacks and garments on the showroom walls below, starting the fire. “Fire sprinklers saved this building,” Fire Chief Devon Wells said. “The fire was quickly put out and fire damage was kept to a minimum.”

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Fire sprinkler system suppresses elementary school fire (Milwaukie, OR)

February 27, 2013 viking210

Clackamas Fire Units were dispatched to Linwood Elementary School to a report of a fire in the building. Crews quickly arrived to find that a small fire had occurred in the bathroom and was quickly extinguished by the fire sprinkler system. All students made it out of the building safely and no injuries were reported. Clackamas Fire Investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set. The fire damage in this case was limited due to the early detection and extinguishment by the fire sprinkler system that was in place.