Category Archives: Manufacturing
Oak Creek, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at power plant; No injuries reported
When crews arrived at the scene, they found smoke visible from the exterior of the dust collector. Fire companies entered the facility and confirmed that a fire had been extinguished by the sprinkler system.
There was no extension of the fire to any other part of the structure.
There were no reported injuries to We Energies employees or fire personnel. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Wenatchee, WA – Sprinkler system activated for fire in machinery room; No injuries reported
Wenatchee Valley Fire Chief Brian Brett says the fire in a machinery room at the Euclid Avenue complex was reported about 7:53 a.m. But fire suppression systems at the warehouse helped calm the flames, while Stemilt’s emergency protocols got more than 100 people safely out of the building before firefighters arrived.
“Fortunately, the maintenance personnel working there, they shut the breaker off to the machine room where the fire originated,” Brett told NCWLIFE. “A sprinkler head activated, which contained the fire just as they’re supposed to do.”
Brett says the attention to fire protocols in the facility “alleviates a lot of stress for us, because then we know we’re not going in not only to suppress the fire, but to have to look for occupants as well. We can focus exclusively on suppressing the fire.”
Marshfield, WI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at door manufacturing facility
One person was treated for smoke inhalation after a fire at a Marshfield business Wednesday morning.
Crews responded to a report of a fire at Masonite Architectural, a door manufacturer at approximately 9:50 a.m. When crews arrived they found a large particle board press on fire. A press release said the fire sprinkler system was activated, containing the fire while crews extinguished the press fire. However, the fire spread to the attic through the ductwork. To put out those flames a ladder truck was used to access the roof of the building. An additional fire was put out in another piece of machinery.
The location of the fire within the building made it difficult for crews to reach and extinguish the flames. As a result, crews were on the scene for 6.5 hours. One Masonite employee was treated and released for smoke inhalation. No fire service personnel were injured.
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation.
Crews from the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department and the Vesper Fire Department responded.
Chambersburg, PA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at sheet manufacturing facility
A fire broke out Friday morning at a business in Franklin County.
Chambersburg Fire Department was dispatched at 9:58 a.m. to Keystone Sheets, 1465 Nitterhouse Drive, Chambersburg, according to a news release from the fire department. Staff reported that the dust collection system was on fire.
Firefighters arriving at the scene did not see anything on the building’s exterior, but inside they encountered flames in three pieces of machinery and the connected dust collection system.
The building’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from extending to the rest of the duct system and the building, the fire department said.
The fire was under control as of 10:35 a.m. Crews remained on the scene for about two hours to extinguish hot spots. The scene was cleared at 1 p.m.
The building remained under normal operation during the fire, however, the business temporarily shut down for clean-up and repairs to be completed.
Companies from throughout the county responded to the scene, including Franklin, Fayetteville, Marion, Letterkenny, New Franklin, Pleasant Hall and West End fire and EMS departments, and WellSpan Health EMS and the Franklin County Coroner’s Office rehab unit.
A voicemail message left at Keystone Sheets Monday was not immediately returned.
Keystone Sheets manufactures corrugated sheets, or cardboard used to make boxes and other packaging.
Campbellsville, KY – Sprinkler system activated for forklift on fire at commercial building; No injuries reported
The run was upgraded to a working fire and additional units were dispatched from mutual aid departments due to the size and contents of the building, after entering the structure firefighters found a forklift on fire and water flow from the buildings sprinkler system.
Units extinguished the fire, checked for any extension and ventilated the structure. Fire damage was contained to the area of the fire by the sprinkler system. No injuries reported.
Mason City, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Ag Processing plant; No injuries reported
According to a press release, one ladder truck, two ambulances and three command units with total of 14 firefighters/medics responded to the scene.
Upon their arrival, fire department personnel found the fire sprinkler system was activated in the building where the process equipment was located. The fire sprinkler system assisted with containing the fire until the fire department gained access to the interior of the equipment and extinguished the fire, the release said.
The majority of the units cleared the scene by 5:58 a.m., with the exception of one engine company remained on scene most of the day to assist plant staff with overhaul.
MCFD personnel were also assisted on scene by Cerro Gordo Emergency Management. No injuries were reported The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Leominster, MA – Sprinkler system suppresses lithium-ion battery fire at manufacturing facility
The Leominster Fire Department responded to an alarm activation at a manufacturing business at 501 Lancaster St. shortly before 5:00 yesterday morning. On arrival, they observed smoke but no fire. Firefighters made entry, searched for any injured parties, and ensured that the fire was fully extinguished. On further examination, they found that an overhead sprinkler head had activated, suppressing the fire.
An investigation by the Leominster Fire Department, Leominster Police Department, and State Police assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire was accidental started with lithium-ion batteries that had overheated on a workbench.
“If they’re abused, overheated, or overcharged, lithium-ion batteries can start a fire that explodes in smoke, flames, and toxic, flammable gases,” said Chief Sideleau. “These batteries power devices we use at home every day, from phones and laptops to power tools and outdoor equipment. It’s important to charge, use, and store these devices safely. Always use the manufacturer’s charging equipment. Charge the device on a hard and stable surface, not a bed, couch, or pillow. Disconnect the device when it’s fully charged, and store it at room temperature, not in direct sunlight, a hot car, or freezing temperatures.”
“The sprinkler system at this site operated exactly as intended,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “It effectively extinguished a fire and prevented serious damage or injury. Tragically, none of the 31 Massachusetts residents who died in fires at home last year had that protection. If you’re buying or building a home, choose one with fire sprinklers. There is no faster or more efficient way to control a serious fire until firefighters arrive.”
Yesterday’s incident was the second lithium-ion battery fire to be extinguished by a sprinkler system in recent weeks. On January 4, the Woburn Fire Department responded to a commercial site for an alarm activation to find that the building’s sprinkler system had effectively suppressed a fire that started with a chemical reaction involving lithium-ion batteries.
Palmer, MA – Sprinkler system activated for trash fire at food distribution center; No injuries reported
The Palmer Fire Department was sent to Iberia Foods on Saturday for a trash fire.
According to the Palmer Fire Department, at 2:35 p.m., crews were sent to Iberia Foods on Wilbraham Street for a report of the water flow activation. When crews arrived, they found a pallet full of trash in flames directly below an activated sprinkler head.
The sprinkler system successfully kept the fire down and stopped it from spreading. Crews were able to put out the remaining fire. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Palmer Police and Palmer Fire Department. Three Rivers Fire, Bondsville Fire, Monson Fire, and the Palmer Police Department assisted in putting out the fire.
Iberia Foods Crop. is a leading food and beverage distributor in the U.S. Hispanic and Caribbean markets, according to their website.
Casper, WY – Sprinkler system activated for fire at machinery facility; No injuries reported
Crews were dispatched to the structure fire at 5300 W. Old Yellowstone Highway at 6:53 a.m. on Nov. 9, according to a Mills Fire Department release on Thursday.
“Upon arrival of the first fire units, smoke was visible from the roof of the shop on the Southeast end of the building,” the release said. “When crews entered the structure they encountered heavy smoke conditions and the fire sprinkler system was active.”
The business had already begun the evacuation process of the shop area, and all employees were accounted for.
Crews were able to locate the seat of the fire and confirm that the fire sprinkler system had suppressed the fire.
Natural and mechanical ventilation cleared the smoke and crews shut down the sprinkler system.
“Members of the Natrona County Interagency Fire Investigation Task Force investigated the fire and determined it to be an accidental fire, originating in the shop area,” the release said.
There were no injuries to employees or firefighters. The Mills Fire Department thanks the Mills Police Department, Natrona County Fire District, Casper Fire/EMS, Bar Nunn Fire, Banner Health EMS, Casper Public Safety Communications Center, and members of the Natrona County Interagency Fire Investigation Task Force for their response.
