Category Archives: Hotel / Restaurant

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at restaurant

A fire has forced downtown Winnipeg restaurant Commonwealth to temporarily close for repairs.

The restaurant, located at the corner of McDermot Avenue and Main Street, sustained damage after someone reportedly broke a window with bricks and started a fire inside, according to a Facebook post on Thursday by managing partner Nikola Maharajh.

The post said the building’s sprinkler system was triggered by the fire, causing additional damage.

Maharajh added that the restaurant may remain closed for “a few weeks, if not months.”

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.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Salina, KS – Sprinkler system contains hotel fire; No injuries reported

Just before 2:00 am on Wednesday, June 4th, the Salina Fire Department responded to reports of a commercial fire at the Country Inn and Suites located at 2760 S. 9th St. Initial reports indicated a fire in a storage room on the second floor.

Upon arrival, fire crews encountered an active fire that appeared to be coming from the exterior of a HVAC unit with fire extending into the adjacent storage room. The building’s sprinkler system had activated, containing the fire to the room of origin. Firefighters initiated suppression operations, extinguishing the remaining flames. The fire was brought under control and extinguished within 10 minutes of arrival of the first due engine company.

During the incident, all guests and hotel staff were safely evacuated from the building and there were no reported injuries.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the fire originated due to a faulty HVAC unit.

In addition to the Salina Fire Department, the Salina Police Department responded and provided assistance with evacuation, crowd management, and traffic control.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Minot, ND – Hotel fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A hotel’s sprinkler system in Minot put out a fire.

The Minot fire department responded to the Baymont Hotel in the southwest part of town Monday afternoon.

A fire started in a storage room. The building’s sprinkler system put out the flames, and there were no injuries.

Due to the damage from the fire, guests were asked to collect their personal belongings with the help of crews.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the hotel is closed until necessary repairs and inspections can be made.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Harrisonburg, VA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at hotel

A Harrisonburg man has been arrested for intentionally setting a fire in a hotel room earlier this week.

John Wesley Whitaker Jr. was taken into custody by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, after allegedly admitting to starting the fire.

Harrisonburg Fire Department units were dispatched Tuesday for a fire alarm in the 1400 block of East Market Street.

While enroute, the incident was upgraded to a structure fire with smoke coming from one of the rooms. Units arrived at the location in under two minutes and found a fire contained by a functioning fire sprinkler system.

Fire department personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and water and smoke damage were limited.

The hotel was evacuated temporarily while personnel confirmed the fire was extinguished.

Whitaker was initially transported to the hospital for evaluation before being released and then taken into custody.

He was charged with multiple felonies including:

  • Section 18.2-77 Burning or destroying a dwelling house, etc. (attempted)
  • Section 18.2-81 Burning or destroying personal property

“Starting a fire an in occupied building is an extremely serious matter,” said Captain Luke Walker with the HFD Fire Marshal Office. “We would like to thank the Commonwealth’s Attorney for their willingness to support the pursuit of these charges, as well as the Harrisonburg Police Department and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office for their support during the investigation.”

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Fresno, CA – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire at restaurant; No injuries reported

A morning kitchen fire prompted the temporary closure of a popular restaurant in Fresno, the Fresno Fire Department said.

Crews responded to a commercial fire on the 4400 block of West Ashlan Ave. on Thursday around 7:30 a.m.

Firefighters say a small kitchen fire at a popular restaurant, the Legendary Pho Kitchen, activated the sprinkler system, extinguishing the flames before they arrived on the scene. Although the fire was minor and no injuries were reported, the sprinkler activation caused damage throughout the business.

This incident, fire crews say, prompted the restaurant to close. The business will be closed until necessary repairs are made. An expected opening time has not been provided.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Hotel / Motel

Sprinkler System Contains Hotel Room Fire in LA

LAFD received reports of smoke emanating from a guest room at The Holiday Inn. Arriving units made entry into the hotel room to find a well involved fire confined to the guest room couch, which activated fire sprinklers.

Sprinkler activation held the fire in check to the room of origin.

A 40 y/o female was located down in the room next the smoldering piece of furniture. Firefighters quickly extricated the patient to an awaiting rescue ambulance, who transported the victim suffering from smoke inhalation.

No additional civilian injuries or hotel property damage was reported. Cause of fire is under investigation.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Port Washington, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at hotel restaurant kitchen

Port Washington firefighters were dispatched to the Harborview Hotel on E. Grand Avenue on Sunday evening, Jan. 12. 

Smoke coming from hotel’s kitchen

What we know

The first call about the fire came in around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. A caller reported an activated fire alarm with smoke visible from the rear of the hotel.

When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the fire was already fully extinguished in the hotel’s kitchen. This is thanks to the sprinkler system in the building. Officials say the system prevented the fire from spreading beyond the kitchen and minimized damage to the property.

The restaurant was closed at the time of the fire. Hotel management said eight registered guests were temporarily evacuated, but able to continue staying at the facility.

What we don’t know

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Source

The information in this post was provided by the Port Washington Fire Department.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers