All posts by viking210

Brampton, ON, Canada – Shopping mall fire held in check by sprinkler system; Fire started in clothes dryer

Two burnt towels in a clothes dryer started a fire that forced the evacuation of a Brampton shopping mall on Thursday morning (Jan. 5), according to Brampton Fire and Emergency Services officials. A sprinkler kept the fire in check at Royal Crest Mall, at 50 Kennedy Rd. S., according to firefighters; but a significant amount of smoke was generated.  Firefighters were called at 10:20 a.m., with reports of smoke coming from the mall at Clarence Street.  Five trucks and a district chief initially responded, but the first alarm was quickly upgraded to a second alarm in response to the heavy smoke. Three more trucks and a platoon chief responded.  The mall was evacuated, and a Brampton Transit bus kept evacuees out of the cold. Tenants and shoppers were allowed to return after the smoke was cleared.

Ocean City, MD – Fire Marshal credits sprinkler system for saving resident’s life in apartment fire

The Ocean City Fire Marshal’s Office is crediting fire sprinklers for saving the life of an Ocean City woman who just barely escaped a kitchen fire on New Year’s Eve.  Just before 7:30 p.m., firemen were called to the area of 25th Street and Baltimore Avenue, for a building fire.   The woman had been cooking when grease spilled over onto the stove burners, starting a fire that quickly spread.

A single sprinkler head in the kitchen activated and extinguished the fire prior to the arrival of fireman.  The unit suffered limited fire and smoke damage in the kitchen. The adjoining staircase and first floor restaurant area also experienced water damage.  The cause of the fire is classified as accidental.

Bremerton, WA – Apartment fire caused by cigarette extinguished with help from sprinkler system

A cigarette likely is the cause of a small fire that evacuated the Firs apartment complex Tuesday night, according to Bremerton firefighters. Crews were called to the 60-unit complex, at 183 Russell Road, about 8:45 p.m. and found the fire already mostly out. The building has a fire sprinkler system, which, with the help of a resident with an extinguisher, snuffed the flames.  No injuries were reported. Residents took shelter in surrounding housing complexes as well as within Kitsap Transit buses called in to assist.  The Bremerton Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate the fire, but it appears a cigarette in one room lit a bag, which ignited a couch, firefighters said.

Omaha, NE – Sprinkler system assists firefighters in controlling apartment fire

Authorities are investigating a fire at an apartment complex. It broke out around 10 o’clock Wednesday morning. It happened at the Park West Apartments near 108th and Jaynes Plaza, near Fort Street.  There were no reports of injuries but utility service was partly interrupted on a frigid morning.  Firefighters initially responded to an automatic fire alarm system. They arrived to find a small fire in a coat closet in a third floor apartment.   The fire was quickly brought under control but it triggered the sprinkler system resulting in damage to the first, second and third floor apartments.  Residents were allowed back into the building shortly before noon.

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Fire in attic mechanical room at Target store contained by sprinkler system

A fire broke out in a furnace room at the South Lake Tahoe TJ Maxx store just before 7:00 p.m. Monday night, resulting in the store filling up with smoke and water.  South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue personnel responded, and found the store’s sprinkler system was able to keep the fire from spreading and it was contained to the one room.  The furnace was located above the store’s dressing rooms. With all of the water used to put out the fire, the ceiling collapsed and created quite a mess in that portion of the store.  “Much of the floor is very wet,” said SLTFR Battalion Chief Tim Spencer. “There was light smoke inside so there may be some smokey clothing.”

With the freezing temperatures in South Lake Tahoe, Spencer said they had concern about frozen water. As of 8:45 p.m., they are in clean-up mode and making sure the scene is safe. “We are ready to turn the store back to manager,” said Spencer. “It’s now up to the insurance and restoration companies.”  Firefighters from Lake Valley Fire also responded to the store which is located at the Y.

Assonet, MA – Sprinkler systems help keep fire at distribution center from spreading

A late afternoon tractor trailer fire at the Stop & Shop Distribution Center Sunday temporarily ceased operations, but no injuries were reported, officials said. At about 3:53 p.m., the Freetown Fire Department was notified of an automatic fire alarm activation at the Stop & Shop Distribution Center at 136 South Main St. in Assonet, said Lt. Brent L’Heureux, a spokesman for the Freetown Fire Department.  Upon arrival to the scene, Freetown Fire personnel found a refrigerated trailer on fire, and the blaze extended through the loading dock and into the warehouse. The building’s sprinkler system activated and prevented the fire from spreading further, L’Heureux said in a news release.  Only a few employees were in the building at the time of the fire due to the holiday and they quickly evacuated when the fire alarm went off. The fire was under control in an hour and firefighters remained on scene for several hours to remove smoke from the warehouse, L’Heureux said.

Kelowna, BC, Canada – Overnight fire at university apartment complex doused by sprinkler system

An apartment building at UBCO was evacuated early Monday as the result of a fire. The fire was reported at around 12 a.m. in a unit at Discovery Avenue at UBCO.  “First in Engine reported smoke and sprinkler activation in a second floor unit at this location,” Platoon Captain Kelly Stephens said.  He said the cause of the fire was bedding and a mattress placed against a baseboard heater, and added that fire sprinklers had doused the fire before it could spread.  The lone occupant of the unit managed to escape unharmed.  Water damage was contained to the second floor unit and six units below.  All affected students have been allowed to return to their units.

Peoria, IL – Cooking fire at apartment building put out by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

About 5:30 p.m., Peoria firefighters responded to a report of a fire that was prompting occupants to flee Apartment 8208 of 1808 W. Cherry Bud Drive. Firefighters arrived to the fire already out.  The occupants had overheated cooking oil, which burst into flames and activated the unit’s sprinkler system, said Battalion Chief Aldo Scott.  The sprinkler extinguished the fire.  No injuries were reported.  The apartment complex was going to provide housing for affected residents, Scott said.

Waukesha, WI – Fire at municipal garage controlled with assistance from sprinkler system

Waukesha police and fire responded to the Municipal Garage on Sentry St. after a sprinkler water flow alarm was set off just before 8 p.m. Friday. According to the police report, a small fire was located inside a dump truck approximately 200 feet in the property. The report stated that the fire was knocked down with a water can several minutes after the alarm was reported.

Vacaville, CA – Apartment fire extinguished with help from sprinkler system; No injuries

A one-alarm fire Saturday in Vacaville resulted in the activation of an indoor sprinkler system. The fire, which occurred at an apartment in the 100 block of Burton Drive, was reported shortly after 12:30 p.m.  The fire warranted a full response from the Vacaville Fire Department.   However, units were canceled after the small fire was quickly extinguished.  According to Vacaville Fire Battalion Chief Matt Lage, the fire was started by a household appliance in the apartment’s master bedroom.   No one was injured in the incident.