All posts by viking210

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Petaluma, CA – Warehouse fire fully extinguished by sprinkler system; damage limited

A fire safety sprinkler system installed inside of a warehouse complex on Petaluma’s Industrial  Avenue managed to fully extinguish a fire that broke out inside of the building Sunday evening,  limiting the damage to an estimated $50,000, according to the Petaluma Fire Department.

Petaluma firefighters responded to a water flow alarm at 1340 Industrial Avenue at 7:30 p.m.  yesterday, and arrived to find the odor of smoke and water coming out from under the structure’s
exterior doors. Crews forced their way into several of the building’s units, discovering one to be  completely full of smoke with around three inches of water covering the floor.

The sprinkler system had fully extinguished the fire, which appeared to have started in an office area,  according to the fire department. The system had caused minor flooding in an adjoining unit.
Crews shut down the system, evacuated the smoke and began removing water to prevent further damage.

The business owners arrived later that evening, and are now working with a local cleanup company, according to the fire department.  There were no individuals working in the building at the time, and there were no injuries. The cause  of the fire remains under investigation.

Firefighters from the Petaluma Fire Department and Cal Fire responded to the incident, with the  Lakeville Volunteer Fire Department and the Wilmar Volunteer Fire Department providing coverage  in the city.

Apartment Building, Residential

Tulsa, OK – Sprinklers quickly extinguish sixth floor apartment fire

The 420 Mayo Building in downtown Tulsa was evacuated after a fire on the sixth floor. The sprinkler system quickly put the fire out – but caused water damage on that floor and the two below.

The small fire broke out before 11 p.m. Saturday at the Mayo 420 Building, an apartment building at 420 South Main, according to Captain Justin Banks of the Tulsa Fire Department. It was a kitchen fire caused by something left on the stove, according to TFD.

Water was flooding the floors when crews arrived.

“We’ve got a lot of water running down the elevator shafts right now and a lot of water running down the stairs too,” he said.

Banks said the sprinkler system kept the fire from spreading, but left a significant amount of water to push from the building. 

“You have to get in front of quickly,” he said. 

“It’s got all the beauty of the old, but it’s got all the technology of the new,” he said of the apartment building. “Thankfully it’s just an issue of water damage as opposed to an extensive fire.”

Residents – many with their pets – stood outside the downtown residential complex as firefighters responded. Banks said his crews were helping residents whose apartments were flooded.

“I know if this was my home, I would want to expect this kind of service from my fire department,” he said. “These people shouldn’t expect anything less. We’re there to serve them and try to do everything we can to get them back to at least as close to as comfortable state in their own home as we can.”

Banks said most of the residents would be able to return overnight.

There were no injuries.

Restoration crews are on scene for the clean up Sunday. 

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Seattle, WA – Sprinklers activate to help limit damage in arson fire

The Seattle Police Department’s Arson Bomb Squad is investigating after the alley entrance door to gay dance club Neighbours was set on fire Friday morning.

Seattle Fire arrived to the scene just after 11:30 AM to find water pouring from the back of the Broadway nightclub after the venue’s fire sprinkler system was activated by the small fire.

The club’s alley doors were burned in the fire but there was no other damage reported beyond the flooding. There were no reported injuries. The club has not announced any closures related to the fire.

The Seattle Fire Marshal has determined that the door fire was intentionally set. SPD is now investigating the incident.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Dallas, GA – Sprinklers help douse fire in high school chemistry lab

A small fire occurred in a chemistry lab at Paulding County High School Thursday, the school district said on Facebook.

The Paulding County School District said in a post to parents that students were evacuated into gymnasium areas. No injuries were reported. No fire damage was reported, but water from the sprinkler system did cause some damage.

Here’s the school district’s Facebook post:

Parents of PCHS students: There was a small fire in one of PCHS’s chem labs today. Students were evacuated and moved into the gyms due to a severe weather alerts. The fire did not cause any damage, but there is some water damage from the overhead sprinkler system. We are working quickly to make the necessary repairs.

Thanks to Paulding County Fire & EMA and our district maintenance department who responded quickly to the incident.

Our safety procedures were followed and there were no injuries from the fire. Thanks to all involved for their cooperation and quick thinking during this situation.

Other - Retail, Retail

Pigeon Forge, TN – Sprinklers help contain overnight fire at popular retail store

A fire at popular Pigeon Forge western store Stages West early Thursday morning left the building and its roof “structurally weakened” but still intact, said Pigeon Forge Fire Department Capt. Erik Preske.

Firefighters were called to the store, 2765 Parkway, around 4:09 a.m., and the fire was out “right at dawn,” Preske said. Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Sevier County and Walden’s Creek volunteer fire departments assisted Pigeon Forge, he said.

Preske said the store’s sprinkler system “absolutely” played a part in containing the blaze. Preske said there is extensive smoke and water damage to the building.

The cause of the fire is unknown; investigators were still on the scene late Thursday morning, he said.

Store owner Marlene Houser said the store will remain closed “until we are able to assess the full extent of the damage.”

“We are still waiting to hear about what caused this event,” she said. “No one was injured, and for that, we are thankful.”

According to its Facebook page, the store is family owned and has been selling western apparel since 1975.

Primary / Secondary School

Antioch, CA – Sprinkler system helps to limit damage in arson fire at elementary school

Fire inspectors suspect an arsonist set two dumpsters ablaze at an elementary school in Antioch on Saturday, a fire official with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said Monday.

Firefighters responded just before 7 p.m. to a report from a person walking by the Mno Grant Elementary School, located at 4325 Spaulding St., of a fire at the school, fire Capt. George Laing said.

Laing said fire crews arrived to find two dumpsters engulfed in flames that were adjacent to a masonry wall and overhang.

The fire burned through some of the overhang and caused minor damage to the roof but Laing said for the most part, the fire was contained to the overhang and dumpsters.

One sprinkler activated and protected the main electrical service, Laing said. Firefighters were able to douse the flames quickly and Laing said there were no injuries reported.

Fire inspectors determined someone set the dumpster on fire intentionally, but Laing said he couldn’t release more details because the fire is under investigation. 

A call to Antioch police was not immediately returned.Laing said it’s helpful for neighbors to pay attention to their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activity or smoke to 911.

 

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Townshend, VT – Sprinklers help control attic fire at assisted living facility

Valley Cares was evacuated Monday evening after a lightning strike caused a fire in the attic of the assisted living facility.

Just after 5 p.m. 39 residents were transported down the road to Leland & Gray Union High School after the fire alarm and sprinkler system alerted staff to the fire in the attic.

Valley Cares Executive Director Susanne Shapiro said she did not know the condition of the building, though she said the facility would remain closed until a safety inspector could tour the damaged section of the building Tuesday.

“Everybody is safe. The staff did exactly what they were trained to do,” Shapiro said. “Most of our residents are able to go home with family, and for anyone who can not go home, we will find a place for them to stay tonight.”

Townshend Volunteer Fire Department Safety Officer Dale West said the call came in just after 5 p.m., and the blaze was quickly toned to a three-alarm fire due to the large number of residents who had to be evacuated.

West said the sprinkler system helped control the fire and it was quickly extinguished.

A portion of the building did sustain significant water damage and West said a state safety inspector would walk through the structure Tuesday before anyone would be allowed back into their apartments.

“It could have been much worse,” West said. “It’s always hard to get to a fire in an attic, but the sprinkler system saved the day and they’re going to have to start cleaning up tomorrow.”

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Pennsville Twp, NJ – Sprinklers credited with preventing spread of fire at independent living facility

A fire authorities say was caused by unattended cooking prompted the evacuation of residents from an age 55-plus high-rise Saturday morning.

The fire at the five story Kent Avenue Apartments at 11 Kent Ave. was reported around 11 a.m.

Deepwater Fire Chief Joe Hogan said the fire was sparked by unattended cooking. He said there was no one in the apartment where the blaze started when firefighters entered.

The fire was located in Apartment 507 in the east wing of the building — on the top floor.

No one — residents or firefighters — were hurt in the incident, Hogan said.

Approximately six to seven apartments were damaged from fire, smoke and water, Hogan said.

There was also reported water throughout various parts of the building.

Hogan credited the building’s sprinkler system with helping to quickly help douse the fire and prevent its spread.

Department Store, Retail

Bedford, IN – Sprinkler system helps protect Farm and Home store from fire damage

Firefighters were able to extinguish a fire at Orscheln Farm and Home on Ind. 37 within minutes of arriving Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters from Marion, Shawswick and Oolitic Volunteer Fire Departments were called to the business at 1:31 p.m.

According to Marion VFD Chief Jason Zeeks, the fire started outside on the south side of the building after some paper on plastic stock tanks for water caught on fire.

The fire then moved inside the business, setting off the sprinkler system.

Zeeks says no one was injured and there was little fire damage done to building, but smoke and water did cause minor damage to some contents of the store.

Firefighters from Shawswick and Oolitic VFDs assisted Marion VFD firefighters with cleaning up the water and ventilated the building of smoke.

Orscheln was able to re-open for business Sunday afternoon.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Hagerstown, MD – Single sprinkler extinguishes residential kitchen fire

No one was injured during a minor kitchen fire Thursday afternoon on Hagerstown’s North End, according to City Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven.

The fire was reported at 1:30 p.m. in the 17600 block of Potter Bell Way in the Hager’s Crossing development, DeHaven said in a news release.

 He said a single sprinkler head from the home’s quick-response sprinkler system extinguished the fire before firefighters arrived.

Firefighters ventilated smoke from the home, and all of the units were cleared by 2:30 p.m., DeHaven said.