All posts by viking210

College/University (on campus), School / University

Nacogdoches, TX – Fire in student center at Stephen F. Austin University put out by single sprinkler

A fire that damaged the food court area of the Stephen F. Austin State University Student Center Tuesday evening is under investigation. A small fire activated a single fire sprinkler in a kitchen area on the first floor of the Baker Pattillo Student Center around 9:00 p.m., according to a news release.

The building’s fire suppression system was activated and the building was evacuated. No injuries were reported, the release stated. The SFA University Police Department and Nacogdoches Fire Department responded.

“There was only minor damage from the fire, and the smoke was cleared by the smoke evacuation system,” said Dr. Steve Westbrook, vice president for university affairs. The University says some food services on the first floor atrium of the building will be temporarily closed until further cleaning and inspection.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Lexington Park, MD – Fire at senior apartment building suppressed by sprinkler system

Deputy State Fire Marshals investigated a room and contents fire today at the Lexington Park Senior Apartments located at 21895 Pegg Road in Lexington Park.

The 72-year-old female occupant in Apartment 119 awoke to a small fire on her bed at approximately 11:30 a.m. this morning. As she evacuated the bedroom the fire grew large enough to activate the smoke detection system and the fire sprinkler located inside her room. As a result of the quick acting fire sprinkler, fire damage was contained to the bedroom and the estimated loss was limited to $1,500. The victim received mild smoke inhalation injuries and was treated and released at the scene.

Nearly 15 firefighters responded from Bay District, Hollywood and Patuxent River Fire Departments and placed the situation under control within one minute after arrival. Investigators determined the fire was caused by discarded smoking materials. No other injuries were reported during the incident. The victim is being relocated temporarily while the apartment is properly cleaned

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Easley, SC – Laundry fire at senior living facility contained with help from sprinkler system

Residents of the Brookdale Senior Living facility were evacuated on Monday after a fire broke out in the facility’s laundry room. According to Assistant Fire Chief J. Scott McClain of the Easley Fire Department, the facility, located at 125 Zion School Road, just off Route 8, caught fire just before 3 p.m. Feb. 1, setting off the building’s alarm and sprinkler systems.

Members of the Brookdale staff, Pickens County Emergency operations Center and Rescue 8 assisted with getting the residents to safety. Pickens County Emergency Medical Services also responded to the scene as a precautionary measure but no injuries were reported. McClain stated that while the fire itself was contained to the laundry room, smoke and water damage affected other areas of the building.

“The fire was extinguished in a short period of time, with additional time spent performing salvage and overhaul operations,” McClain said. EFD also stated that Easley Combined Utilities responded to assist with water issues along with the City of Easley Building Official’s Office to check the building for damages. DHEC was notified of the incident.

Two pumper trucks, a platform truck and several support units responded to the fire which was extinguished “in a short period of time.”

Retail, Shopping Mall

Cleveland, TN – Sprinklers help keep dumpster fire from spreading into store

One of the anchor stores at Bradley Square Mall was closed Sunday after a fire occurred in a dumpster/trash compactor just outside the business. At approximately 1:15 p.m., the Cleveland Fire Department responded to a fire reported at the Belk department store. According to CFD reports, firefighters found the fire in the dumpster outside the loading dock of the store. The flames were quickly extinguished.

Additional units were called to the scene and made entry to the stock room area of Belk, where they found heavy smoke. The sprinkler system had also been activated and water was flowing into the stock room, reports said. The fire in the dumpster was brought under control approximately 15 minutes after the first fire units arrived, and the sprinkler system was soon disabled.

Heavy-duty fans were brought in to remove any residual smoke from the business. Battalion Chief Robert Gaylor said in his report that there was substantial smoke and water damage in the stock room area, and some smoke damage in the store’s shopping area.

The store manager told the fire department that Belk would close for the remainder of the day and reopen on Monday. “The mall manager as well as security and the store manager were on the scene and were very helpful in assisting us with evacuating the mall and securing the area,” Gaylor’s report stated.

Due to the nature of the fire, the Arson Investigation Division was called to the scene and was attempting to determine the cause of the fire Sunday afternoon. It remains under investigation today.  No injuries were reported from the fire.

Manufacturing, Paper Mill / Saw Mill

Eau Claire, WI – Overnight machine fire at paper plant controlled by sprinkler system

An early morning fire at the Cascades Tissue Group plant on Forest Street was quickly brought under control by Eau Claire firefighters.

The fire was reported at 1:11 a.m., and firefighters arrive to find heavy smoke in a building. The fire in a machine had activated the building’s sprinkler system, which kept the fire under control until crews arrived.

Firefighters had the fire under control in about 20 minutes. One plant worker was evaluated at the scene by paramedics.No damage estimate is available. The cause of the fire remains under investigation

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

South Portland, ME – Sprinkler system prevents fire from spreading in condominium complex

Officials with the South Portland Fire Department said no one was hurt after a fire broke out at a condominium complex. The call came in at 12:41 a.m. for a working structure fire.  It happened at Ferry Village Landing condos located at 215 High Street in South Portland.

Authorities said two of the building’s 15 units were damaged. The fire is believed to have started in the walls of one unit and continued up to the attic.  Officials said the activation of the sprinkler system contained the working fire from spreading to other units.

The Red Cross is assisting in the relocation of occupants of one of the units and others are staying with family and friends. Officials said the fire is not considered suspicious, but an official cause is still under investigation.

Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and Westbrook fire departments assisted in station coverage and mutual aid.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Sioux City, IA – No injuries at McDonald’s restaurant after fire is extinguished by sprinkler system

Crews were called just before 5 p.m. to a grease fire in the McDonald’s store on Sunnybrook Drive in Morningside. When they arrived the fire was mostly already out thanks to automatic sprinkler systems in the restaurant, but the store was still filled with smoke.

Firefighters say the cause of that fire is unknown at this time. “We had a fire in the kitchen, unknown origin at this time, fire has been extinguished,” said Capt. Richard Andersen, Sioux City fire department. “We are waiting for the fire prevention bureau to show up, to do an investigation. At that time they will determine what the cause is. And we will turn the building back to the owners and they can start cleanup process to reopen the building.”

Everyone in the store evacuated safely before firefighters arrived. At this time damage appears to be confined to the store’s fryers.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Columbia, MO – Sprinklers suppress fire at rubber products manufacturer; Damage minimized, No injuries

The Columbia Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Gates Rubber Corporation Saturday morning at about 10:30. When crews got to the scene, they found that the fire had already been put out by the sprinkler system. Fire officials say the fire was contained to a small area and didn’t cause much damage. Nobody was injured in the fire. The assistant fire marshal was able to determine that the fire was caused by friction on some hand tools. He believes the damages are about $2,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

Reno, NV – No injuries in apartment fire after sprinkler system activates to assist firefighters

American Red Cross volunteers are assisting 14 people who were displaced after an apartment fire near 4th Street and Morrill Avenue on Friday, Jan. 5, 2016. A Reno Fire Department spokesman says firefighters responded to a report of a kitchen fire at the apartment complex about 2:30PM. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within minutes of arriving on the scene. However, 14 units, including the one with the kitchen fire, were damaged when the automatic sprinkler system was activated.

No one was injured and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Red Cross Disaster Action Team volunteers are meeting with the residents and will ensure everyone has a safe place to sleep, has food, clothing, medication and other essentials.