Category Archives: Restaurant

Johnstown, CO – Restaurant fire at truck stop held in check by sprinkler system

A gas leak and small fire temporarily shut down the restaurant portion of Johnson’s Corner Sunday night through Monday morning.  Front Range Operations Chief Bernie Covillo said crews from both his department and Loveland Fire Rescue Authority responded to a small kitchen fire at the restaurant around 6:40 p.m. Sunday.

“Loveland Engine 6 was the first arriving unit,” he said. “They discovered a small fire that was being kept in check in the kitchen. The fire was quickly extinguished and there was minimal damage.” Covillo said the restaurant was shut down because the sprinkler system had been activated. Johnson’s Corner employees had to clean the restaurant to pass an inspection from the Larimer County Department of Health.

The restaurant, which never closes, is located at 2842 SE Frontage Road just off Interstate 25. Employees were stationed at the front of the restaurant Monday morning turning customers away and offering them complimentary cinnamon rolls and cookies.

“This is a really bad thing,” Christy Hall, a Johnson’s Corner cashier said. “So many people come here. I know another month we had a tiny fire — but (the restaurant) was definitely not closed for this long.”

Employees confirmed later on Monday that the restaurant reopened at 12:30 p.m. However, they directed further questions to the restaurant’s corporate office, TravelCenters of America. Requests for comment were not returned.

“It just so happens there was a fire the same day they are remodeling,” Hall said.  Covillo said that Johnson’s Corner officials and their insurance agency would be investigating the cause of the fire.

Valdosta, GA – Fire at night club put out by sprinkler system

The Valdosta Fire Department responded to a fire call early Saturday morning, before dawn, at Club Deja Vu. Reports stated the sprinkler system in the club operated as designed, extinguishing the fire before the fire department arrived.

Fire crews opened the building, removing smoke and turned off the sprinkler system. Damage was estimated to by $10,000.  The club was closed at the time of the fire, per reports, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Anaheim, CA – Sprinkler system extinguishes night club fire just before Snoop Dogg performance; No injuries

A chandelier broke out in flames at Heat Ultra Lounge in Anaheim Friday, where rapper Snoop Dogg was set to celebrate his birthday.

The fire happened around 11:30 p.m. at the 300 block of Katella Avenue, but was extinguished before fire authorities arrived.

Fargo, ND – Electrical fire at Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant contained by sprinkler system

The Fargo Fire Department says the cause of an early morning fire at Buffalo Wild Wings on 19th Avenue North in Fargo was due to electrical equipment and that it was accidental.

It started this morning in the outdoor seating area. Damage can be seen on the outdoor bar, wall and projection screen. Damage is estimated to be around $10,000.

Fire officials say the buildings sprinkler system helped contain the fire to a small area.

According to the Fargo Fire Department the restaurant was closed when the fire occurred and that no one was in the building.

Redwood City, CA – Possible arson fire at restaurant contained with help from sprinkler system

Investigators say that a restaurant fire in Redwood City early Wednesday morning may have been caused by arson, according to police. Police and firefighters responded to Max’s Cafe in the 1000 block of El Camino Real around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Smoke was coming from the building and the automated sprinkler system had been activated, according to firefighters. Once inside the building, they were able to contain the fire to the kitchen.  After the fire was out, firefighters began to notice signs that it may have been intentionally set, and investigators later determined that an accelerant was used, according to police.

The restaurant sustained smoke and water damage, police said.

San Antonio, TX – Sprinkler system extinguishes intentionally-set restaurant fire

Police are searching for two men who skipped out on their dinner tab only to return to a restaurant and set the bathroom on fire. The incident happened on Saturday, September 19 at the Golden Wok located in the 1400 block of SW Loop 410.

Police say the men had lunch at the restaurant then left without paying the bill.

About ten minutes later, the man with a T on his hat walked back inside, headed for the restroom and set a fire, according to investigators.

The automatic sprinkler system put out the fire.

Crime Stoppers has released images of the suspects and is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrests of the suspects.

Virginia Beach, VA – Boardwalk restaurant fire doused by sprinkler system

A restaurant in Red Mill Walk caught on fire early this morning. The Virginia Beach Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at 2277 Upton Drive around 1:22 a.m., a news release from Battalion Chief Eric Wilkerson says. Fire crews forced their way into Suite 714 — home to Back Bay Gourmet, according to Red Mill Commons’ website — and found the fire in a storage room had been extinguished by the sprinklers. The fire was under control at 1:49 a.m. as the crews worked on controlling the sprinkler system and salvage, the release says. Smoke, fire and water damage was contained to the restaurant. No one was hurt, and the fire remains under investigation.

Westminster, CO – Damage from restaurant fire minimized thanks to sprinkler system

A sprinkler system helped prevent major damage after an electrical fire in Westminster. Firefighters responded to an alarm at 11300 Westmoor Circle just before 10 p.m. Wednesday. Security at the building at the site reported smoke an electrical smell.

When crews arrived they found a room in the Oasis Café filled with smoke and the sprinkler head activated. The firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining fire, shut off the sprinkler system and ventilated the first floor of the building.

The fire was started by a series of lithium batteries that were in a large charger. However, because of the building sprinklers the damage was limited to the charger, minor smoke damage and water damage in the immediate area of the sprinkler head. According to the fire department, there could have been a much larger fire without the sprinkler system.

Sarasota, FL – Arson fire at nightclub is prevented from spreading by sprinkler system

Sarasota deputies are looking for a man who they say set fire to a gay nightclub Sunday morning.  Surveillance video shows a man wearing a dark long-sleeved shirt and light colored shorts approaching Throb Nightclub, 2201 Industrial Blvd., at 9 a.m. Sunday, according to a release.

The man walked up to the door carrying a gas can and unsuccessfully tried to light the building on fire with a lit cigarette, deputies said. He walks away and then re-approaches the business, successfully lights the fire and walks away again.  The sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading, according to a report.

When the flames cleared, Throb Nightclub had suffered $10,000 in fire and water damage. Owner Brian Zickafoose wasted no time making repairs, and opened the club for a regular Sunday evening just hours after the flames had been put out.

Anyone with information can contact criminal investigations at 941-861-4934 or the State Fire Marshal’s arson hotline at 877-662-7766. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County by calling 941-366-TIPS (8477) or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com

Montrose, CO – Fire at airport restaurant put out with help from sprinkler system

A small fire broke out at the Montrose Regional Airport Wednesday morning. The airport’s Director of Aviation tells us it happened early Wednesday morning in the kitchen of a restaurant inside the terminal.

No one was inside the kitchen at the time of the fire and the sprinkler system helped put it out. The airport is still operating as normal. There was minimal damage to property and no threat to public safety. Airport operations were not impacted and cleanup is underway.

County Manager Ken Norris says they hope to have the restaurant back open by Saturday for their Tribute to Aviation event.