All posts by viking210

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Charlotte, NC – Sprinkler system activated for fire at recycling facility; No injuries reported

Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire at a recycling facility in southwest Charlotte Monday afternoon. 

According to the Charlotte Fire Department, the blaze was reported at 4:15 p.m. at Sonoco Recycling in the 3900 block of Revolution Park Drive. This is a light industrial area near Clanton Road. Heavy smoke and fire was showing when crews arrived.

Charlotte Fire officials believe the fire originated from a pile of cardboard in the building, and the wind contributed to it spreading to the surrounding cardboard.

The majority of the fire was contained to the outside. Although the fire extended to the inside of the building, CFD said the building’s internal sprinkler system helped control the fire.

The fire was brought under control by 5:05 p.m. and caused roughly $65,000 in damages. There were no injuries from the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Edison, NJ – Fire in apartment complex extinguished by sprinkler system

A small apartment fire at an Edison building early Sunday morning prompted the evacuation of numerous residents, keeping firefighters on scene for three hours, the Edison Fire Department said.

Fire crews responded to 1 Roosevelt Drive around 1:30 a.m., after receiving a fire alarm and multiple calls from residents reporting smoke on the fourth floor of a building.

Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke conditions and activated sprinklers on the fourth floor. A small fire in one of the apartments had been extinguished before crews arrived, likely by the building’s sprinkler system, the fire department said.

As a precautionary measure, numerous residents were evacuated from the building during the incident.

Fire companies remained on scene conducting ventilation, cleanup, and safety checks until approximately 4:30 a.m.

Apartment Building, Residential

West Fargo, ND – Sprinkler system activated for an early morning fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The West Fargo Fire Department says no one was hurt after a fire early Sunday morning.

Firefighters responded to the Northern Lights Apartments at 2920 Sheyenne Street around 6:30 a.m.

Smoke was coming from a fifth-floor unit, and the sprinkler system had been activated.

The initial cause of the fire is suspected to be related to cooking. The damage has not been determined. There were no injuries to emergency personnel or bystanders.

One resident will be displaced, and several apartment units sustained water damage.

Fargo Firefighters provided mutual aide.

Government Office, Government/Military

Chino Hills, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at city hall

A fire broke out at Chino Hills City Hall overnight, and firefighters quickly extinguished the flames.

The fire erupted on City Center Drive around 11:50 p.m. Monday, according to the Chino Valley Fire District.

The flames set off the sprinkler system, which helped contain the fire.

Officials say it was caused by a computer that caught fire on the second floor of the building, which sustained some water damage.

Nobody was inside the building at the time.

Apartment Building, Residential

Branson, MO – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

No one was injured with two pets rescued after a unit in an apartment complex caught fire on Monday.

The release below is from Branson Mo Fire and Rescue Facebook Page:

This afternoon, Branson Fire Rescue responded to an automatic fire alarm at the Preserve Apartments. While crews were en route, updated information from dispatch reported visible smoke and concern for a potentially unaccounted resident, prompting an upgrade to a structure fire response.

Upon arrival, crews found that the building’s fire sprinkler system had activated and effectively kept the fire contained. The fire had impacted a recliner and hide-a-bed sofa, but firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining flames using a hose line. Thankfully, the apartment’s occupant was not home at the time of the fire. Firefighters safely rescued two cats from the unit, both ready and eager to make their way outside.
While the sprinkler system played a critical role in minimizing the fire’s spread, the incident did result in smoke and water damage to the affected unit, smoke damage to the unit above, and some water damage to two units below. The American Red Cross is providing support to the residents of all four impacted units.

We’re grateful for the fast actions of our firefighters, the effectiveness of the building’s sprinkler system, and the ongoing support from our community partners. This incident is also an important reminder: take time today to check your smoke alarms and make sure they’re working properly.

Other - Residential, Residential

Bayonet Point, FL – Sprinkler system activated for fire at housing complex; No injuries reported

Dozens of people are temporarily out of their homes after a fire set off the sprinkler system on Monday night, causing water damage.

What we know: Pasco County Fire Rescue says crews responded to Bethlehem Housing in the Bayonet Point area after a small fire started on the third floor.

Firefighters quickly put out the fire and no injuries were reported, according to fire officials, but water damage from the sprinkler system forced about 30 residents to evacuate.

The Red Cross is helping those displaced.

What we don’t know: The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

North Haven, CT – Sprinkler system activated for fire at commercial building; No injuries reported

A fire at a North Haven business caused about $100,000 in damages over the weekend, according to fire officials.

Firefighters were called to an automatic fire alarm at a commercial building on Sacket Point Road on Saturday around 5:30 p.m. Additional firefighters from surrounding towns were also brought in.

Once inside, firefighters said they found heavy smoke conditions throughout the building and found a machine on fire.

The sprinkler system activated and helped to slow the spread of the fire.

The building was not occupied at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Fire officials said business operations are temporarily impacted due to equipment damage that is pending repairs, but the offices remain open.

Investigators said the equipment and damages are estimated to be about $100,000.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Fernandina Beach, FL – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at restaurant

Fernandina Beach’s fire chief said it’s critical that a man seen on video setting a fire at Sliders Seaside Grill be identified and stopped.

Chief Jeremy Holmes said the lead investigators “believe the suspect may be responsible for setting fires in other areas around Fernandina Beach. It’s critical that he is caught before someone is seriously injured.”

“The business was closed at the time of the fire, which had multiple points of origin,” Holmes said. “Thankfully, firefighters and the building’s sprinkler system were able to contain it — the situation could have been much worse.”

It’s unclear how much damage was caused, but a phone call to the restaurant confirmed they were still open that afternoon.

Mitchell Aarons, a manager, told News4Jax that his bosses were there all night working on the aftermath. He said the man broke in through the back door and reached for a bottle of alcohol behind the counter before going back through the kitchen and started setting things on fire.

Police Chief Jeffrey Tambasco, whose department is handling the investigation in coordination with the Florida Fire Marshal’s Office, said they responded shortly after 1 a.m. on June 20 to the 1998 S. Fletcher Ave. tiki bar and restaurant. After firefighters extinguished the flames, it was determined through security video that the fire was arson.

A man described as middle-aged with a tattoo on the side of his calf and wearing shots, a T-shirt and baseball cap is seen using presumably a lighter to set an umbrella on fire in a patio area, glancing at it a couple of seconds and walking away. The Police Department said it is believed he lives in the area of First Avenue in Fernandina.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Scranton, PA – Fire at cafe held in check and extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A small fire in the basement of City Market & Cafe on Saturday morning caused a moderate to heavy smoke condition along with water damage, Acting Asst. Fire Chief Carl Megotz said.

Crews responded to the property at 300 Adams Ave. around 10 a.m. and found the fire was held in check and extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system, Megotz said. The business was able to remain open without disruption and no injuries were reported, he added.

Firefighters checked the building for extensions, performed overhaul and ventilated the basement for smoke, Megotz said.

Fire / Police Station, Government/Military

Potomac Heights, MD – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire at Fire Department; No injuries reported

A fire sprinkler system at the Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad contained a kitchen fire on June 15, minimizing damage and preventing injuries during a busy night of storm-related emergency calls. The incident occurred as firefighters returned from flood response missions, highlighting the critical role of fire protection systems in safeguarding lives and property.

On Sunday, severe storms swept through Charles County, prompting multiple emergency calls for the Potomac Heights crew. While managing incidents, including a water rescue of victims trapped in a submerged vehicle, firefighters attempted to prepare dinner at the station. Before completing their meal, they were dispatched to another flood-related emergency. Upon returning, they heard alarms and observed smoke in the kitchen, where the station’s sprinkler system had activated, confining the fire to the cabinets and immediate area.

The rapid response of the sprinkler system limited damage to the kitchen, ensuring no injuries occurred. The Potomac Heights station, built in 1975 and renovated in the 1990s to meet updated life safety codes, is equipped with smoke alarms and an automatic fire sprinkler system. This incident underscores the importance of such systems in protecting even fire stations, which serve as critical community hubs.

Fire Chief Michael Gimmel praised the sprinkler system’s performance. “Our members constantly put damages in harm’s way to serve the community. I’m incredibly thankful that our safety systems worked flawlessly to keep them safe at home,” Gimmel said. The station’s infrastructure, designed to prioritize safety, proved its value in containing the fire before it could spread.

The department expressed gratitude to mutual aid partners who assisted at the scene and to Charles County fire chiefs and members who offered support. “The type of incident response and support received reflect the strong, family-oriented culture of the Volunteer Fire Service here in Charles County,” the department stated.

The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergencies, even within a fire station. Potomac Heights volunteers were stretched thin by storm-related calls, including life-threatening flood rescues, yet the station’s safety systems ensured their home base remained operational. The limited damage allowed the department to continue serving the community without significant disruption.

Charles County’s storm season, often marked by heavy rain and flooding, places high demands on volunteer fire departments. The Potomac Heights station’s ability to withstand this incident demonstrates the importance of modern safety upgrades, such as those implemented during its 1990s renovation. The department encourages residents to install and maintain smoke alarms and consider sprinkler systems to enhance home safety.