The fire did not extend to other areas of the building, and firefighters began ventilating smoke from the business. The release says the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, and Fond du Lac Police will conduct a follow up and continue the investigation into the cause. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
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Seattle, WA – Sprinkler system contains fire to single room
Update 11am: David Cuerpo from Seattle Fire says the fire started when one of the LimeBike battery packs ignited and caused other packs to catch fire. The sprinkler system activated and contained the fire within the room.
The Vault Response Team was activated when the crews found high voltage signage; water from sprinklers mixed with battery acid can conduct electricity and pose a risk to firefighters.
Cuerpo says they requested Seattle City Light to de-energize the building while crews shut off the sprinkler system, allowing the vault team to use dry chemical extinguishers onto the fire.
When the fire was put out, the batteries were removed to a safe outdoor area in case they reignited.
Original 10am: Two electrical fires broke out at the LimeBike warehouse in Ballard last night.
Seattle Fire first responded at 7pm, and posted on Twitter that the fire was contained to one room of the warehouse at 4615 8th Ave NW.
By 9pm, they’d put out the initial fire, but then at midnight, crews were back on the scene because the fire had reignited. Lauri Miller posted an update in the My Ballard Group shortly after, saying Seattle Fire was planning to use dry chemicals to put out the fires.
A representative for LimeBike says they’re working with the Seattle Fire Department to find out the root cause of the fire.
Seattle Fire hasn’t yet responded to My Ballard’s calls — we’ll update with any new information on the cause of the fire.
Washougal, WA – (no media coverage) Single fire sprinkler head extinguishes fire at nail salon, saving building from extensive damage
This strip mall fire occurred in Washougal WA on Monday August 12th. Business owners closed at 6:45 PM, 911 water flow alarm/dispatch came in at 7:15 PM. Camas Washougal Fire Marshals Office stated fire crews arrived to find the fire out and controlled by a single fire sprinkler head activation. The fire was contained to a single massage chair that was blackened just prior to sprinkler head activation. Crews provided smoke evacuation and squeegeed water out the front door before going back in service. The units on each side of the Nails & Spa where the fire occurred, had some minor water damage but with minimal effort by restoration services overnight they were able to open the next day for business. The Spa will require a couple days longer since the fire occurred in their space. Building management services arrived and were grateful they were not having to repair more extensive damages such as roof ventilation or extensive heat and smoke damage that would have occurred without a fire sprinkler system.
Elk Grove Village, IL – (No media coverage) Landscape and snow removal fire sprinkler system activates to put out fire; No injuries reported
On July 23, 2019 at 7:33p.m. the Elk Grove Village Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at ARO Enterprises, a landscape and snow removal company located at 1401 Tonne. Upon arrival, crews had nothing showing (no visible smoke or fire), but noticed a slight odor of plastic burning. No employees were on site at the time of the alarm.
After rapid entry into the building via the Knox Box (a small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys for emergency services to retrieve in emergency situations), crews encountered moderate smoke conditions and were able to hear the sound of an activated sprinkler head. Following that sound, the fire was located, but was mostly already under control due to three (3) sprinkler heads that had activated. The remaining hot spots were extinguished with a simple pressurized water extinguisher, significantly limiting the typical water damage that occurs when use of a fire hose is necessary.
The building at 1401 Tonne was originally constructed without fire sprinklers. Prior to ARO Enterprises taking occupancy in 2003, the Village required the installation of the sprinkler system due to the indoor storage of vehicles and related flammable materials. Without the presence of this early detection system, the building and all of its contents would have been a total loss. Instead, damages were held to a minimum and ARO Enterprises suffered no disruption to its main business operations.
The Elk Grove Village Fire Department is proud to share the story of this “Sprinkler Save” to bring attention to the benefits of automatic fire sprinkler systems and their contribution to the preservation of life and property. This fire is still under investigation; however, no foul play is suspected.
Jason Staidl
Fire Marshal
Norwalk, CT – Fire sprinklers control truck engulfed in flames at lawn service business; No injuries reported
The incident occurred at Tuff Lawn Lawn Service, Inc. on Martin Luther King Drive.
When crews arrived, they saw a pickup truck engulfed in flames parked next to pallets of fertilizer with pesticides. Crews said the cab of the truck was fully involved in the fire.
The sprinkler system controlled the fire while firefighters extinguished it.
Crews said the damage appears to be confined to the vehicle and the pallets of fertilizer/pesticides next to it.
The firefighter was sent to the hospital for exposure to pesticides in smoke and was treated and released, according to crews.
No injuries have been reported.
Naperville, IL – Vending machine fire contained to room of origin by fire sprinkler head; No injuries reported
At 5:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, Naperville’s Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) received a call for smoke inside a commercial building in the 400 block of Fort Hill Drive at which time a full-still response was dispatched. Immediately after the initial 911 call, PSAP received an automatic fire alarm for this address as well. The alarm was quickly upgraded to a general alarm assignment after a 911 call from within the building reporting a fire. The general alarm brought 10 pieces of fire apparatus and 24 fire personnel to the scene. Initial units arrived on scene within five minutes, reported nothing showing from the exterior of the building and confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure.
Fire crews gained entry through the employee entrance and upon investigation, found a fire in a vending machine. There was a sprinkler head directly over the vending machine, which kept the fire in the room of origin. Fire companies extinguished the fire with a hose line and once fire was out, the sprinkler system was shut down. Other companies performed ventilation operations, water removal and salvage and overhaul.
The fire was considered accidental in nature. Building management was on the scene and took possession of the building. The Naperville Fire Department credits the presence of automatic fire sprinklers and the building’s fire alarm system for the quick notification and extinguishment of the fire. These systems played a significant role in the positive outcome and minimal disruption of business.
The Naperville Fire Department was assisted on the scene by the Naperville Police Department, Aurora Fire Department engine company and fan boat, which was utilized to evacuate smoke from the large warehouse. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. Station coverage was provided by Warrenville Fire Protection District.
Los Angeles, CA – Sprinkler system contains fire at three-story commercial building; No injuries reported
Five people were also escorted from the basement of the building at 901 E. 31st St., said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Firefighters dispatched at 5:10 a.m. to 901 E. 31st St. had the fire out within 26 minutes of their arrival, Stewart said.
No injuries were reported and a cause of the fire was under investigation.
Binghamton, NY – Early morning fire at beverage store kept in check by fire sprinkler system; No injuries reported
A blaze at the Beer Depot was reported at 12:41 AM, both by alarms in the building and passersby who saw thick smoke billowing out the front and rear of the building.
No one was inside the building at the time and firefighters were able to bring the fire under control.
A sprinkler system helped to keep it from spreading to the adjacent Lane’s Liquor Store, although that building did suffer smoke damage.
Fire officials say they believe they have narrowed down the cause, which does not appear to be suspicious, but need to await a visit tomorrow by investigators from the News State Department of Ag and Markets, before officially releasing a cause.
Moses Lake, WA – Fire sprinkler system prevents major damage at local business
A fire sprinkler system prevented major fire damage at a Moses Lake business Thursday night.
About 11 p.m. the Moses Lake Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the Central Machinery sales building. When firefighters arrived they found smoke coming from the building and were able to hear the water flow alarm from the fire sprinkler system.
“The first arriving engine was tasked with pumping in to the fire sprinkler system to increase water flow for fire suppression while firefighters gained entry into the building for fire attack. Once inside the building firefighters discovered a commercial vehicle with fire inside the cab and engine compartment,” reads a press release from the MLFD. “The fire had been contained to the vehicle through the proper operation of the fire sprinkler system. Two sprinkler heads opened and suppressed the fire until firefighters could access the seat of the fire and fully extinguish it using fire hose hand lines.”
A total of two engines, one squad car, one medical unit, one ladder truck, two command units, the city’s fire marshal and 10 personnel responded to the scene. Through their investigation the MLFD traced the origin of the fire back to a “wiring bundle” in the battery box compartment of the commercial vehicle. The MLFD says the fire spread from the battery box, to the cab and then to the engine compartment.
Las Vegas, NV – Fire sprinklers saved building after suspected arson
Crews spent Thursday morning and most of the evening gutting ABLE Dental, located in the Dona Maria Plaza on North Tenaya Way.
Also, because the fire was so intense, the next door business of Africa Sanchez Attorney’s office was damaged by water.
Receptionist Jhonnathan Lopez told 13 Action News that several boxes were drenched, and the smell of smoke permeated the air, forcing them to close the office for at least a day.
“It’s the inconvenience, you know?” Lopez said. “We had a full calendar of appointments today, and we had to reschedule everyone.”
Tim Szymanski, with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, said the fire burned so hot and so fast that the flames activated several ceiling sprinklers when naturally occurring fires usually activate just two.
“This is a complex fire here,” Szymanski said.
He said sprinklers activate when temperatures reach between 155 and 165 degrees, and with so many activating at the same time it was immediately suspicious.
“It would be similar to someone maybe throwing a match into a barbecue,” Szymanski said. “You get that big poof.”
Szymanski also said that without the sprinkler system, a third of the complex likely would have burned to the ground.
Property owner Nezira Johnson swore by the sprinkler system that may have saved her a lot of work rebuilding.
“It saved our building,” Johnson said. “I think it would have burned down at least half.”
She estimated her repair bill would reach six figures, but was confident that her insurance would cover the majority of the cost.
