Category Archives: Manufacturing

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Leominster, MA – Sprinkler system suppresses lithium-ion battery fire at manufacturing facility

The sprinkler system in a Leominster business controlled a lithium-ion battery fire yesterday, preventing what could have been serious damage in the early-morning hours, said Leominster Fire Chief Robert A. Sideleau II and State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

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.

Food Processing, Manufacturing

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.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Casper, WY – Sprinkler system activated for fire at machinery facility; No injuries reported

Mills Fire Department officials said there were no injuries resulting from a fire at Wyoming Machinery on Thursday morning.

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.

Food Processing, Manufacturing

Hershey, PA – Sprinkler system activated for electrical fire at Hershey factory; No injuries reported

The Hershey Company now confirms that a small electrical fire broke out in the Reese Factory Plant production area Sunday afternoon.

Staff reports that the fire activated the sprinkler system and Hershey Fire Department, who quickly came to extinguish the flames.

Press with the company state that all employees were evacuated and no injuries were reported.

The operations team is currently working to clean-up the scene, as production “will likely resume through the week.”

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

South Euclid, OH – Sprinkler system contains machine fire; No injuries reported

Several fire companies were called out to a manufacturing company after one machine caught fire late Monday.

According to firefighters, the fire started just after 11 p.m. at Glastics Corporation on Glenridge Road.

When firefighters arrived, all employees were already evacuated.

Firefighters said there was heavy smoke inside the building, but the sprinkler system contained the blaze to the machine.

The building was ventilated and there were no injuries.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Bettendorf, IA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at manufacturing company

The Bettendorf Fire Department responded to a fire Monday afternoon at a manufacturing company that left one person injured.

Crews say they responded to Greystone Logistics, 2600 Shoreline Drive, for a fire that was contained to a piece of manufacturing equipment and was extinguished primarily by the sprinkler system while firefighters checked for extension in and around the equipment.

Crews also said they performed search and rescue operations for the entire building because the fire and heat were significant enough to cause flow from eight sprinkler heads in the area.

All employees were evacuated to the outside where accountability was provided by management and confirmed by fire personnel through search operations, according to a media release. One employee was injured in the fire and was taken to a local hospital. No additional information on their condition is being provided at this time.

Crews say the factory is shut down from any manufacturing until the sprinkler system is restored to normal working conditions. Restoration efforts are underway.

According to the media release, Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department, Riverdale Fire Department, Local Restoration Company, and Local Sprinkler Company responded to the incident.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Airdrie, AB, Canada – Sprinkler system controls fire at large manufacturing facility; No injuries reported

In the evening on Saturday, August 5, at approximately 6:31 p.m., the Airdrie Fire Department received a call regarding a large manufacturing facility engulfed in heavy interior smoke at 700 Block Eastlake Road.

According to a city release, the fire was controlled with the assistance of the building’s sprinkler system and extinguished by firefighters on arrival.

“All employees were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The roof was also checked for possible damage.”

20 firefighters were on the scene from the Airdrie Fire Department, assisted by Rocky View County.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Prevention Bureau and damages will be estimated by the Airdrie Fire Department.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Longview, TX – Sprinkler system activated for fire at distribution plant; No injuries reported

Firefighters were called out to a fire at around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The fire was at R & K Distributors on Whaley Street in Longview. Several engine companies arrived at the scene to battle the flames. Whaley St. was blocked eastbound as they worked to bring the fire under control.

At 6:15 p.m. Longview Fire Department officials say the fire was out, and there were no injuries. The sprinkler system assisted in putting out the fire.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Kearney, NE – Sprinkler system activated for fire at manufacturing facility

Fire crews responded to a fire at Eaton in Kearney Wednesday evening.

According to the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD), they found heavy black smoke when they arrived at Eaton Corporation at 4200 East Highway 30. The smoke was coming from the roof and exterior doors of the west side of facility. Employees were evacuating when fire crews arrived.

One crew found the fire and extinguished it while another gained access to the roof to ensure the fire had not extended to the roof.

Fire command verified with Eaton’s management that all employees were accounted for and had been evacuated.

Power was shut down in the impacted area along with the sprinkler system which was activated by the fire.

Two Eaton’s employees were evaluated by Good Samaritan EMS for smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

The fire origin and cause are still under investigation, but the original investigation showed that the fire started in a seat grinder and spread to a mist collector. The fire was mostly contained to the area of these two machines, according to KVFD.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

High Point, NC – Sprinkler system activated for fire at factory; No injuries reported

A fire damaged part of the Akzo Nobel factory in the southern part of the city Tuesday morning and forced a temporary evacuation of the complex, which produces specialized paints and coatings.

The fire started around 6:30 a.m. at the factory in the 1400 block of Progress Avenue.

Employees in the building where the fire was immediately evacuated, and the building remains shut down until further notice, Akzo Nobel said in a statement to The High Point Enterprise.

Firefighters saw flames coming from part of one building when they arrived, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Evans of the High Point Fire Department said. The fire started in a vat in a production area. A sprinkler system activated and kept the fire from spreading further, he said.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control in eight minutes, and no one was injured.

Three buildings were initially evacuated while firefighters brought the blaze under control, Evans said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but it is being ruled an accident, he said.

A dollar estimate of the damage wasn’t available Tuesday.

Fifteen units and 33 firefighters went to the fire scene.

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