All posts by viking210

Department Store, Retail

Fairfield, CA – Arson fire at JC Penney store controlled thanks to fire sprinkler system

A suspect was detained Monday night in connection with an arson fire that did an estimated $100,000 in damage at the J.C. Penney store at the Solano Town Center in Fairfield.

The Fairfield Fire Department responded shortly before midnight and found multiple fires inside the store.

Crews were able to quickly stem the fire with the help of the store’s automatic sprinkler system, officials said, but there was “major smoke, water and heat damage” to the inventory.

Firefighters determined that the cause was arson based on evidence in the store.

Fairfield police worked with store personnel and learned of a possible suspect. Rafael Munguia, 54, of Fairfield was arrested Tuesday and booked into Solano County Jail for arson.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Camden, NY – Fire at assisted living facility contained to one bedroom thanks to fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Thirty-three residents were displaced from Valehaven Community Residence, an assisted living facility, on Main Street after a fire and subsequent smoke and water damage — severely damaged the facility Friday night.

Camden Fire Department received a call for 128 Main St. at about 9:30 p.m.

On arrival, Camden Chief Brian Christmas said there was a working fire visible from a second-story bedroom of the three-story structure. Christmas said initial reports indicated that there were two people missing from the second floor, but they were later located and brought to safety.

Florence, McConnellsville, and Taberg volunteer fire companies responded with mutual aid at 9:38 p.m., with North Bay coming to the scene approximately four minutes later. Camden Ambulance remained on stand-by.

The chief said between 45-50 firefighters total battled the blaze through an interior attack, which took about 45 minutes before it was deemed under control.

“There was a sprinkler system that had activated, which really helped the firefighting efforts,” Christmas said.

State Emergency Medical Services and the county fire coordinator also assisted at the scene, the chief said.

No injuries were reported.

“There was a lot of water damage” as well as smoke damage throughout the building, Christmas said, which led to the displacement of the residents. “Fire damage was contained to the one bedroom, but there was quite a bit of damage there.”

Cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The chief said the American Red Cross responded to assist and set up temporary cots for the displaced residents at a neighboring church in the village.

Apartment Building, Residential

Batesville, IN – Apartment kitchen fire put out by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Batesville Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a fire at an apartment unit in Romweber Flats around 9:10 a.m. Sunday.

Firefighters arrived on the third-floor unit and observed smoke and fire coming from the kitchen area. The fire was contained to the kitchen area due to the activation of the sprinkler system and the immediate actions taken by firefighters. Crews performed search and rescue efforts while also evacuating tenants of the complex for precautionary reasons.

The fire appeared to have started on or near the kitchen stove. Multiple apartment units suffered water damage from the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.

Batesville Fire & Rescue reminds residents to keep things that can catch fire, such as paper or dish towels, at least three feet from the stove.

Mutual aid was received by Morris Volunteer Fire Department and Oldenburg Eagle Fire Company.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Hodges, SC – Fire sprinkler system puts out fire at pet food plant; No injuries reported

No one was injured Wednesday morning after a fire sparked in one of the storage silos at the Diana Pet Food plant in Hodges, according to Greenwood County Fire Chief Steve Holmes.

Holmes said the fire sparked inside the silo, with the damage contained mostly to the product stored there. The plant’s fire suppression systems worked as intended, putting the fire out without anyone being injured.

Firefighters arrived on scene and verified the fire was out and the sprinkler system was reset properly, Holmes said.

A representative from Diana Pet Food could not immediately be reached for comment.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Kiawah Island, SC – Hotel kitchen fire contained by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Firefighters are crediting a fire sprinkler for containing a fire in a hotel room that could’ve turned out much worse.

According to the St. Johns Fire District, they responded to a possible structure fire at 300 Farm Lake View, at the Andell Inn Hotel.

The fire alarm came from a third-floor hotel room, officials said.

Upon arriving, the fire sprinkler was going off and containing the fire to the kitchen area. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

According to the St. Johns Fire District, they responded to a possible structure fire at 300 Farm Lake View, at the Andell Inn Hotel.

The fire alarm came from a third-floor hotel room, officials said.

Upon arriving, the fire sprinkler was going off and containing the fire to the kitchen area. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the flames.

“Without the fire sprinkler system, we would have had a substantial fire event and possible injuries to hotel occupants,” said Fire Chief Colleen Walz. “The fire sprinkler system was part of the critical life safety components of this building. In this case, a single fire sprinkler head operated and controlled the fire event until the fire department could arrive and mitigate any remaining hazards. Management is working to repair water damage and restore minimal smoke and fire damage.”

After reviewing the scene, fire investigators said the fire started near a microwave. The cause is still under investigation

Two firefighters were transported to a local hospital for possible dehydration and heat exhaustion. No other injuries were reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

Franklin, TX – Single sprinkler head extinguishes apartment fire started by a candle; No injuries reported

Clothing placed too close to a burning candle ignited an apartment fire this evening, according to Franklin Fire Lieutenant-Paramedic and Fire Investigator Michael Henderson.

Henderson said the fire started in the bathroom of a third-floor unit of the Cadence Cool Springs Apartments, located off of Carothers Parkway on Pacific Drive. He said an occupant was in the shower when the clothing caught fire and spread to a towel. The blaze was quickly extinguished by a single fire sprinkler head.

The fire sprinkler activation triggered an automatic fire alarm. The Franklin Fire Department was dispatched to the three-story, 24-unit apartment building at 5:46 PM. The fire was out when they arrived.

No one was hurt. Henderson said the apartment complex is assisting the displaced residents.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Kearney, NE – Sprinkler system contains possible arson fire in elementary school bathroom

Police and firefighters are investigating a possible arson that occurred Tuesday at Bryant Elementary School in Kearney.

Around 6 p.m. emergency crews were called to an alarm at the school at 1611 Ave. C. When they arrived there was smoke inside the building.

The investigation revealed a paper towel dispenser had been set on fire in a boys’ bathroom inside the school, said a Kearney Police Department news release.

A sprinkler head in the bathroom contained the fire, said fire Capt. John Sydow. Firefighters extinguished the remaining fire.

Sydow estimated the bathroom sustained an estimated $5,000 damage. The fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The fire didn’t interrupt any classes Wednesday at Bryant.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Spring, TX – Restaurant fire sprinkler system keeps fire from spreading

Just after 3pm Ladder, 11-4 was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm at a strip center in the 4100 block of Riley Fuzzel. While en route crews were notified that the manager from Woodson’s Local Tap called and advised there was smoke coming from Fajita Pete’s, a neighboring restaurant in the same strip center.

The response was upgraded to a commercial fire resulting in South County Stations 1,2,6 being added along with Spring and Porter Fire Department. L-114 arrived on the scene and found smoke coming from the restaurant which was not open for business at the time. Crews entered the structure and found the fire sprinklers had activated and were keeping a small fire in the kitchen area from spreading. The crews extinguished the remaining fire preventing any further damage. The scene was determined under control within 5 minutes of arrival and other responding units were placed in service.

The fire is being investigated by the Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office

Apartment Building, Residential

Palatine, IL – Dryer fire from built up lint put out by apartment fire sprinkler; No injuries reported

Built up lint in a clothes dryer was deemed the cause of an accidental fire inside a Palatine apartment Thursday, Aug. 27.

According to fire officials, at 11:19 a.m., crews responded to the report of a fire at 1205 N. Sterling Ave., located between Dundee Road and Northwest Highway west of Quentin Road in Palatine.

The first crews arrived on the scene at 11:23 a.m. and were told by maintenance that there was a fire in unit 110. Fire department crews made access to the first floor and found smoke and water in the hallway.

Upon entering the unit, fire crews found that an automatic fire sprinkler system had activated. A single sprinkler head activation extinguished the fire and limited damage to the rest of the unit, fire officials said. The fire was declared under control at 11:30 a.m.

Firefighters continued to perform salvage, overhaul, and investigative activities for some time after that. No civilians or firefighters were injured in the fire, which was contained to the apartment’s closet.

Damage was estimated at about $10,000 and the unit was ruled uninhabitable for the three residents due to smoke damage.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Las Vegas, NV – Fire contained to storage room at hotel thanks to fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

The Clark County Fire Department responded to a fire at The Linq on Saturday morning.

A High Rise Response was initiated with 6 Engines, 2 Trucks, 2 Rescues, and 2 Battalion Chiefs.

Upon arrival, personnel ascended to the fire floor where they found smoke in the hallway and water from the sprinkler system.

A Second Alarm was requested and an additional 5 Engines, 2 Trucks, 4 Rescues, and 2 Battalion Chiefs responded. Firefighters made an offensive attack and were able to knock the fire down at 00:48 am.

A primary life safety search was being conducted at the same time and no occupants were found in the area. The fire was contained to a storage room and is under investigation for the cause.

At this time there is not an estimate on damages.

No injuries were reported at the incident.

A total of 77 personnel responded to the call.