Tag Archives: Texas

Apartment Building, Residential

Waco, TX – Apartment kitchen fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Waco Fire Department units arrived on the scene of an apartment fire at 2301 Woodgate Drive on Wednesday afternoon.  The fire occurred in a downstairs apartment, where crews say started in the kitchen area. The fire did not spread beyond the kitchen.  Nobody was home at the time of the fire, but there were two dogs inside. The dogs have been reported safe, but Animal Control was called to assist with them because they were reportedly aggressive toward the crews. The department says the fire was largely contained by a sprinkler system. No injuries have been reported.  The department goes on to say construction codes require sprinklers in most new apartment buildings, due to possible scenarios like this fire. They say to consider them for residential construction if you are building a house because they save lives and reduce damage.

Apartment Building, Residential

Lewisville, TX – Sprinkler system activated in arson fire at apartment building

A man remains in jail after he threatened, and then followed through with, setting his girlfriend’s apartment on fire.

Josh Manning was arrested and charged with arson. He remains in the Denton County jail in lieu of $26,500 in bonds. He also was charged with probation revocation for driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years old.

According to the probable cause for Manning, around 3:35 a.m. July 1 firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at Valley Ridge Apartment Homes, 1000 Valley Ridge Boulevard. Firefighters arrived to find light smoke showing from the second floor balcony.

When crews entered the apartment, the fire sprinkler above the couch in the living room was spraying water. Crews also found a smoldering fire in the living room on the floor and couch.

When firefighters began investigating, they found fire damage surrounding a tray table, on the carpet, the couch and smoke and water damage throughout the apartment. They also found what was possibly a roll of paper towels and a cloth towel that had fire damage, according to the affidavit.

Lewisville Fire Department Division Chief Mark Richards responded and interviewed the woman who lived in the apartment. She said her ex-boyfriend, Manning, came to her apartment to visit their daughter. She said everything was fine until he got a phone call. After that, the two began arguing, and Manning threatened to burn her apartment.

At that point, she left the apartment with her daughter. According to the affidavit, Manning began sending her threatening text messages.

As she was driving, Manning sent her another text that showed a fire in her living room, according to the affidavit. She came back home and saw smoke on the second floor breezeway and on her balcony.

Later that morning, around 9:35 a.m., Lewisville police officers located Manning. Richards responded to the location, and Manning agreed to speak with him. When asked about the fire earlier that morning, Manning said he didn’t know anything, according to the affidavit.

When confronted with the photos of the fire and threatening texts, Manning turned around, put his hands behind his back and refused to answer more questions, according to the affidavit.

Manning, who is homeless, was deemed a flight risk and was then arrested for starting the fire, according to the affidavit. The affidavit stated, “Manning was reckless about whether the burning would endanger the life of some individual or the safety or the property of another.”

Richards said if not for the fire sprinkler system the fire would have consumed the apartment, risking the lives of multiple families. In the end, the fire was about $70,000 in damage.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

New Caney, TX – Sprinkler system contained fire at school to one classroom; No injuries reported

Summer activities at a New Caney ISD school will be delayed Friday after an overnight fire.

Just before midnight, emergency crews were dispatched to Porter High School in regards to an alarm call.

Upon arrival, firefighters say the sprinkler system had contained the fire in a cosmetology classroom but there was still heavy smoke inside the building.

First responders even arrived with an airboat to assist in getting the smoke out.

There are a couple of events, including band practice that will be delayed.

The school year’s starting date was not affected. The first day of school is August 20.

According to authorities, no one was hurt during the fire.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Waco, TX – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at manufacturing plant

Firefighters were battling a fire Monday evening at the Hobbs Bonded Fibers plant at 200 Commerce St. in Waco.

A passing Waco fire crew spotted smoke coming from the plant Monday evening and notified the Waco Fire Department’s dispatcher.

About a half-dozen units were dispatched to the plant, which had been evacuated.

An employee said it appears the plant’s sprinkler system extinguished the fire before the crews arrived, but firefighters later spotted flames.

Just before 7 p.m., firefighters were looking for hot spots concentrated in the ceiling.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

The plant produces a range of products ranging from filters to health care products to industrial apparel to carpet and rug backings to Nomex and Kevlar products, quilt batting, fiberfill and pillow forms.

Firefighters were dealing not only with the fire, but also record-high temperatures.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Austin, TX – Historical building saved from fire by single sprinkler head

A fire at an Austin landmark appears to have been intentionally set. 36-year-old Matthew James Caldwell is in custody, charged with 2nd degree arson. Damage to The Austin Club from fire, smoke and water is expected to top $100,000.

“When I got down here about 4:20 this morning my heart just sank,” said Ken Richardson, general manager of The Austin Club.

Richardson thought the worst when he first saw firefighters swarming the historical building. He knew what the city stood to lose.

“It really was the first true cultural center in Austin, Texas,” said Richardson.

After getting a closer look, the GM at the Austin Club is now grateful an important piece of state history didn’t burn up.

“Thank God one sprinkler head saved this entire building,” said Richardson.

The club’s significance is plastered on the front of the building. But it’s the stories that bring 140 years to life.

“This building hosted the first UT graduation,” said Richardson. “Buffalo Bill and his military band performed here. We had dancing horses and goats and everything, but I think bears, on the stage here.”

That history was almost lost when a man broke into the private social club through a sidedoor that connects to an alley.

“He had to work very hard to get in,” said Carson Watson, the building engineer at The Austin Club.

Once inside, the intruder appears to have set two fires. The GM thinks he used matches from The Austin Club to try to light a tablecloth on fire. The flame retardant material just melted.

Then the intruder went to the third floor.

“He actually started the fire by lighting one of the tapestries that hangs on the wall,” said Richardson.

The club is decorated with tapestries and expensive antiques, but that’s not what the intruder was after.

“He was caught leaving the building with some alcohol, three bottles of wine and a can of Heineken. So apparently he likes imported beer,” said Richardson.

It’s about $100 worth of alcohol that is ending up costing $100,000 dollars in fire, smoke and water damage. The good news is that an historic building that dates back to 1878 wasn’t added to the bill.

“It’s part of the fiber of what makes Austin, Austin,” said Richardson.

Matthew James Caldwell is charged with intentionally setting the fire. He does not appear to have any connection to The Austin Club.

“We don’t recognize the name at all, so we don’t think he had any ties to the club here at any time,” said Richardson.

“It looks like a completely random crime, just a crime of opportunity,” said Captain Andy Reardon with the Austin Fire Department.

The Austin Club has signs posted on the front door saying it will reopen on Tuesday. The GM says no weddings or other large events need to be moved or canceled.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Lubbock, TX – Sprinkler system contains fire at retirement community; Fire started on balcony

Lubbock Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call about a fire at Ventura Place retirement community off of 54th St and Gary Avenue at around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.  Rose Killebrew, a resident at Ventura Place, recalled the confusion many of the residents felt.  “Of course, I didn’t know what was happening, I just heard the siren go off. So, I went to the door and everybody was leaving…”

Workers at Ventura Place helped gather the residents outside of the building, giving them shade and water while they waited for assistance. One resident was taken to the hospital with minor smoke inhalation. Fortunately, the building’s sprinkler system had contained the fire before it was able to spread. Around 140 residents were evacuated during the fire. One woman was taken to the hospital and treated for slight smoke inhalation.

The Emergency Medical Task Force 1 bus was called to the scene as a precaution and to assist the residents. Officials took residents to the Lubbock Seventh-Day Adventist Church and asked families of the residents to come pick them up. Kevin Ivy with Lubbock Fire Rescue talked about where the fire started.

“Crews found a fire that had been on the third story outside balcony. It appears to have started at that point… we’re not exactly sure yet. But upon arrival, it was out or controlled due to the sprinkler system.” Bobbye Maxey was at the retirement community to pick up her father who lives there.

“Administrators let us know that they were asking all of the residents to call their family if they had some family to come and pick them up. They are going to take them to a church next door, I’m not sure what’s after that but I was told they can’t go back into Ventura simply because of the flooding that went on from the sprinklers.”

After a quick call to management on Wednesday evening, they told KCBD that residents in the first and second floor have been allowed to return.

No timetable has been established yet as to when the third floor residents can return. The Lubbock Fire Marshal’s office is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Other - School / University, School / University

Lewisville, TX – Fire in sawdust collector at career center is suppressed by sprinkler system

The Dale Jackson Career Center in Lewisville on Edmonds Lane was evacuated Wednesday after a fire broke out in a sawdust collection system on the south side of the building.  Students and staff were all evacuated safely, according to a parent email sent out by Randall Holder, the principal of the campus.  Assistant fire chief Mark McNeal said the fire triggered a sprinkler system that muted its effect.  Units from Lewisville and Flower Mound fire departments fought the blaze.

Update -12:10 p.m.: Principal Randall Holder sent the following parent notice:

Dear Dale Jackson Parents,

We wanted to follow up with you about the situation at Dale Jackson Career Center.

Please know all of our students and staff safely evacuated the building this morning due to a fire at the back of the campus. All students are back at their home campuses and Dale Jackson classes have been canceled for the remainder of the day

Currently, we are waiting on the fire department to deem the building safe for students and staff to retrieve their vehicles and belongings. We will notify you as soon as this happens.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Thank you,
Randall Holder
Principal

Update 2 p.m.: Holder sent another update:

We wanted to share the following update with you.

At this time, students will not be allowed back in the building for the remainder of the day, but they may pick up their vehicles if they are able to.

All classes will resume a normal schedule tomorrow, however, the Mill and Cabinetmaking class will be moved to a different classroom in the building.

If it is an absolute emergency and a student must retrieve their belongings from inside DJCC today, the building will remain open until 6 p.m. However, students are encouraged to email their DJCC teacher to make these arrangements. Law enforcement will be present on campus throughout the night to ensure the security of the building.

We are proud of the way our students and staff handled this disruption to their school day, and we are extremely grateful our first responders arrived so quickly.

Please know the safety and security of our students and staff are my top priority here at Dale Jackson.

Thank you for your patience and continued support of our campus.

Randall Holder
Principal​​​​​​​

Update 4:34 p.m.:  The fire started when the woodworking class’ tablesaw kicked up embers, which fell into the sawdust collection tanks and turned into a full-on blaze. The class used their fire extinguisher on the tablesaw, but could not reach into the tanks.

McNeal said firefighting crews were nervous that opening the tanks would cause a dust explosion, so they opened vents into the sawdust system to allow smoke to dissipate. This is what lead to such a drawn-out, visible fight. McNeal said nobody was hurt.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Lufkin, TX – Fire at Comfort Inn & Suites suppressed with help from sprinkler system

Lufkin fire crews battled a fire at the Comfort Inn & Suites early Tuesday morning.  No injuries were reported.  Jessica Pebsworth, a spokeswoman for the City of Lufkin, said that fire department personnel were dispatched out to the Comfort Inn & Suites located at 4402 S. First Street after the fire was reported at 12:25 a.m. Tuesday.

“Though the cause of the fire is unknown, the blaze appeared to have started on the building facade,” Pebworth said. The fire then worked its way into the hotel’s attic, triggering the sprinkler system, Pebsworth said. She added that a pipe burst during the incident, causing significant water damage.  Comfort Inn & Suites employees evacuated and relocated all of the hotel’s occupants, Pebsworth said.  The Lufkin Fire Department is still investigating the incident.

Other Business, Place of Worship

Killeen, TX – Early morning church fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

An early morning fire at Lifeway Fellowship Church in Killeen led to Sunday worship services being canceled, as fire, smoke and water damage forced church staff to close the building.

“The alarm went off at 4 a.m., so no one was in the building, luckily,” Pastor Jimmy Towers said. “According to the (Killeen) Fire Department, there was an electrical shortage in the walls and that caught the insulation on fire.”

Towers said while the fire was mostly contained to the back of the church building, the sprinkler system led to most of the floor of the building being flooded.

“The sprinkler system didn’t really damage the furniture, it just flooded the floors,” he said. “We have people there right now working to clean it up, and we have the doors open to try and get the smoke out.”

Towers said he received a call about the fire shortly after 4 a.m. He said by the time he arrived at the church, the fire department already had the fire under control.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how the fire department handled the blaze,” he said. “They got it under control very quickly.

Despite canceling the Sunday services, Towers said the church members who didn’t get the message about the fire still held a small prayer circle in the parking lot at 8 a.m.

Towers is not sure when the building will reopen, but said he hopes to have it ready for next Sunday’s services.