All posts by viking210

Apartment Building, Residential

Hanson, MA – Fire at apartment complex contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped put down a Hanson apartment fire.

Fire Chief Robert O’Brien says that at approximately 6:44 p.m. Wednesday crews responded to 1479 Main St. for a reported bedroom fire.

Upon arrival they found a heavy smoke condition inside one of the apartment units and the fire sprinkler system flowing.

After making entry firefighters were able to confirm that the sprinkler system had largely contained the fire and fire crews put it out completely.

No injuries were reported.

However, two apartments were impacted by water and smoke damage.

A preliminary investigation has determined that the fire was accidental and caused by a candle.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Framingham, MA – Fire on sixth floor of university residence hall contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire early on Wednesday, Nov. 12, inside a sixth floor dormitory at Framingham State University was contained by the activation of the residence hall’s sprinkler system before firefighters finished it off, according to a press release from the city.

Nobody was injured. One student was displaced.

“This incident highlights the importance of quick notification, a properly functioning sprinkler system and keeping the door to the fire room closed,” said Fire Chief Michael Dutcher, in a statement. “These combined factors played a crucial role in preventing further damage and ensuring everyone’s safety.”

According to the press release, firefighters responded just before 1 a.m. Wednesday to a box alarm system notification for 16 State St., Corrinne Towers at Framingham State.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met by Framingham State University Police, who reported a fire on the sixth floor of Corrinne Towers, a residence hall. Firefighters discovered the blaze was contained by the activation of the building’s sprinkler system, according to the release.

Firefighters completed extinguishment and worked to ventilate smoke from the building. They remained at the scene until about 3 a.m., according to the release.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although Dutcher said it appears to be accidental.

Apartment Building, Residential

Rochester, NY – Apartment building kitchen fire held in check by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Smoke filled the upper floors of a Litchfield Street apartment building Wednesday afternoon after a kitchen fire broke out, but an automatic sprinkler system kept the flames in check until firefighters arrived.

Rochester fire crews were dispatched just before 1 p.m. for an automatic alarm, followed by reports of an apartment on fire. When firefighters reached the five-story brick building, they found smoke coming from a third-floor unit.

Crews entered the apartment and found an active sprinkler head flowing water, which had already contained the blaze. Firefighters made sure the fire was fully extinguished, rescued a dog from the apartment, and shut down the sprinkler system to prevent further water damage.

Smoke was ventilated and crews remained on scene to help mitigate water throughout the building. Water damage was limited to two apartments.

No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by unattended cooking.

Apartment Building, Residential

Hartford, CT – Second-floor apartment fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

14 people, three of whom are children, have been displaced by an apartment fire on Wethersfield Avenue on Monday evening.

According to the Hartford Fire Department, crews responded to a report of a working fire at an apartment building on Wethersfield Avenue in the city’s South End neighborhood just before 6 p.m. on Monday.

At the scene, the crews found fire in a second-floor apartment that had been partially contained by the building’s sprinkler system. The crews had the fire under control shortly after arriving.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters have been reported. The Hartford Fire Department’s Special Services Unit and the American Red Cross are assisting the 14 people who were displaced.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Iowa City, IA – Sprinkler system controls residence hall fire; No injuries reported

The Iowa City Fire Department responded to a fire at Daum Residence Hall at the University of Iowa early Thursday morning.

Crews were dispatched to the residence hall at 225 N. Clinton St. for a fire alarm at 3:30 a.m.

Firefighters discovered a small fire in an unoccupied dorm room being held under control by the building’s sprinkler system. Firefighters extinguished the fire.

Fire damage was contained to the room of origin; however, water damage occurred on the first and second floors of the residence hall. Most students had evacuated the building prior to the fire department’s arrival.

There were no reported injuries.

Students displaced by the fire were relocated to other rooms or buildings by University of Iowa staff.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Iowa City Fire Marshal’s Office and the University of Iowa’s Fire Marshal.

Apartment Building, Residential

Lyndon, VT – Sprinkler system activated for trash can fire at apartment complex

Multiple people had to be relocated after a fire at an apartment complex in Lyndon.

It happened around 4 a.m. Monday on Depot Street, where the Darling Inn apartments are.

Crews say they found a fire on the third floor in a trash can next to a chair.

The building’s sprinkler system was able to contain the flames, but water damage forced residents of five units to be displaced.

Authorities say the fire was accidental and everyone got out safely.

Apartment Building, Residential

Peoria, IL – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A resident was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly starting a fire in their apartment, which also damaged three other units in downtown Peoria.

Fire Battalion Chief Mike Ralston says crews were called just before 3:30 p.m. to an apartment building in the 200 block of NE Madison Avenue, between Hamilton and Fayette.

Ralston says the building’s sprinkler system helped firefighters bring the fire under control quickly, but four units suffered fire and water damage.

Damage is estimated at $80,000. No injuries were reported. Four people were displaced by the fire.

The suspect’s name has not been released by Peoria Police at this time.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Portland, ME – Sprinkler system contains fire at senior citizen complex; No injuries reported

There were no injuries reported when a fire broke out at the Deering Pavilion on Forest Avenue in Portland.

A caller reported a kitchen fire on the 6th floor of the building on Sunday night.

Crews arrived to find the sprinkler system had contained the fire to one unit before firefighters extinguished it.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but not believed to be suspicious.

Apartment Building, Residential

Chattanooga, TN – Fire caused by candle extinguished by sprinkler system

“Another fire caused by a candle!” 

The Chattanooga Fire Department is once again reminding residents about candle safety after a small fire at an apartment Sunday morning.

Crews responded around 11:19am to the Borough 33 Apartments on Bexley Square.

The sprinkler system extinguished the flames, but firefighters worked to remove water from the structure in an effort to minimize damage.

CFD said that you should extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

“To practice candle safety, keep flames at least 12 inches from flammable materials,” CFD said. “Always supervise burning candles and place them on a stable, heat-resistant, flat surface away from drafts and high-traffic areas.”

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Greenville, NC – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at university; No injuries reported

Fifteen East Carolina University students had to be relocated after a skateboard battery started a fire in a dorm room in Scott Residence Hall on Friday, ECU Police reported.

Battery-powered skateboards and scooters are not permitted inside the residence halls, police said, but a fire alarm sounded at Scott Hall about 3:58 p.m.

ECU officers responded, arriving at the scene around 4:02 p.m., and saw heavy black smoke coming from Suite 206. Both the fire alarm and the sprinkler system activated properly, and residents evacuated the residence hall, police said.

Greenville Fire-Rescue arrived at 4:05 p.m. and extinguished the fire. Police said no one was injured during the fire or evacuation.

Greenville investigators determined the cause of the fire was the skateboard’s lithium-ion battery. The N.C. Office of the State Fire Marshal says lithium-ion batteries can pose serious fire risks if overcharged, damaged or mishandled.

Greenville Fire/Rescue released the building back to ECU after their investigation was complete and Scott Hall residents were allowed to re-enter the building at approximately 5:30 p.m., ECU police said.

Two suites sustained water damage, police said, and one room was damaged by fire and smoke. In total, eight rooms occupied by the 15 residents were impacted.

ECU Campus Living relocated the students to other rooms on campus. The damaged rooms will be unavailable for an indefinite period, ECU said. A disaster recovery team led by ECU Facility Services will begin recovery and restoration efforts today, police reported.

“The safety of our students remains our top priority,” Deputy Chief Chris Sutton said. “Together, the ECU Police Department and Greenville Fire-Rescue responded, extinguished the fire, investigated, identified its cause and safely returned students to their residence in about one-and-a-half hours.

“This achievement was only possible through the combined efforts of the ECU divisions: Campus Living, Facility Services and Environmental Health and Campus Safety.”

Lithium-ion batteries are common, according to the OSFM. They power items ranging from smartphones, laptops and power tools to e-cigarettes, toys and electric vehicles.

The batteries can experience thermal runaway — a rapid rise in temperature and pressure that may lead to fire or explosion. This can be triggered by:

  • Overcharging: Charging beyond recommended limits.
  • Internal short circuits: Structural damage causing overheating.
  • Mechanical damage: Impacts or punctures.
  • High temperatures: Exposure to extreme heat.
  • Manufacturing defects: Low-quality materials or assembly errors.

The office encourages consumers to buy batteries from reputable sources and ensure they are labeled by nationally recognized testing labs; stop charging once a battery is fully charged; use only chargers compatible with the device, preferably the one that came with it; and not to use devices if the battery shows damage: unusual odor, heat, popping sounds, swelling or discoloration.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers