Category Archives: Other / Not Specified

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Williston, VT – Sprinkler system activated after minor explosion at cosmetics business

Fire and rescue responded Tuesday morning after a small explosion at a cosmetics business in Williston caused a fire.

One person suffered minor injuries and burns from the fire. They were checked out at the scene and did not need to be brought to the hospital.

The building’s sprinkler system assisted firefighters in fully containing the fire.

Fire officials believe they know what caused the fire.

“They used Isopropyl alcohol as a cleaner as part of their processes and one of the alcohol bottles had in fact caught on fire and that had a minor explosion inside the building,” said South Burlington Fire Department’s Tim Gerry.

Fire officials say the building is being ventilated and they monitored the building’s air quality. Repairs need to be made before the business can get back up and running.

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Sioux Falls, SD – Sprinkler system keeps arson fire set outside building from spreading inside

Police have arrested a man in connection to a fire that destroyed two porta potties in downtown Sioux Falls.  Forty-eight-year-old Aaron Gruenewald was arrested Thursday morning.  Firefighters extinguished a blaze at the new Washington Square Complex early Thursday morning. No one was hurt, but two porta potties were destroyed.

Police say surveillance video showed a man walking into one of the porta potties, then the fire broke out shortly after he walked away.  Gruenewald was found a few blocks away. Police say he had a lighter in his possession. He faces one count of reckless burning and intentional damage to property.

Original Story

No one was hurt, but two porta potties were destroyed in an overnight fire in downtown Sioux Falls.  The fire broke out around 1:20 a.m. at the new Washington Square complex on Main Avenue.  According to Sioux Falls Fire Rescue, a porta potty near the entrance to the first floor garage caught fire. The building’s sprinkler system was able to stop the flames from spreading. Firefighters put out the blaze a few minutes after arriving.  No one was hurt in the fire. The fire triggered the building’s alarm system, and residents had to wait outside on a rainy night for about 15 minutes.

Firefighters did not find any damage to the building, though two porta potties were destroyed.  The cause is still under investigation.

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Olympia, WA – Sprinkler system activates to help limit car fire in tunnel

A vehicle fire closed the tunnel at 14th Avenue Southeast under the Capitol Campus on Thursday morning, according to the Capitol Campus’ emergency alert Twitter account.  The vehicle was in an eastbound lane and fully engulfed, according to a tweet.  The westbound lanes of the tunnel reopened at about 7 a.m. and the eastbound lanes were open shortly after that.  No injuries were reported, according to Olympia Fire Department. Heat set off sprinklers and a public works crew was called to replace them.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

San Carlos, CA – Sprinkler system prevented fire from spreading in commercial building

San Mateo County Fire Department crews battled a 2-alarm fire at a commercial building in San Carlos early Tuesday morning, according to fire dispatch and reports.

The blaze was first reported at 6:01 a.m. at 642 Quarry Road in San Carlos. Redwood City fire crews also responded to the scene and reported on Twitter that the building’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading further.

Crews said the cause of the fire was under investigation and additional information was not immediately available.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

St. Petersburg, FL – Trash can fire at movie theater prompted sprinkler system to activate

The action on screen came to an abrupt halt for Moviegoers at the AMC Sundial 20 Monday evening.

A trash can fire inside the movie house in downtown St. Petersburg activated a sprinkler and prompted an evacuation.

St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Lt. Steven Lawrence said firefighters responded to the call at 6:45 p.m. There were no injuries, he said.

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Erie, PA – Several animals rescued after sprinkler system controls fire at environmental center

Firefighters were called to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center to put out a fire in a laboratory room Sunday morning.  It was reported around 5:41 a.m.  An aquarium system caught fire, creating smoke in the east wing of the building, according to West Lake Fire Department.  The fire activated a sprinkler, but firefighters had to extinguish what was left of the fire, the fire department said.  Several turtles and a garpike were rescued.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Lakewood, WA – Arson fire at casino contained by sprinkler system

On Monday, July 9th at approximately 7:05 p.m., West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire at the Macau Casino, located at 9811 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood. Reports came in as smoke being present in the building and the building was in the process of being evacuated. Crews arrived and determined upon entry the fire was in the women’s restroom. The sprinkler system in the building contained the fire to the restroom and saved the structure, as well as the occupants inside. Without the automatic sprinkler system in place, the fire would have quickly spread and the incident would have been much larger.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue investigators determined the fire was set intentionally and the Lakewood Police Department is investigating.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Austin, TX – Historical building saved from fire by single sprinkler head

A fire at an Austin landmark appears to have been intentionally set. 36-year-old Matthew James Caldwell is in custody, charged with 2nd degree arson. Damage to The Austin Club from fire, smoke and water is expected to top $100,000.

“When I got down here about 4:20 this morning my heart just sank,” said Ken Richardson, general manager of The Austin Club.

Richardson thought the worst when he first saw firefighters swarming the historical building. He knew what the city stood to lose.

“It really was the first true cultural center in Austin, Texas,” said Richardson.

After getting a closer look, the GM at the Austin Club is now grateful an important piece of state history didn’t burn up.

“Thank God one sprinkler head saved this entire building,” said Richardson.

The club’s significance is plastered on the front of the building. But it’s the stories that bring 140 years to life.

“This building hosted the first UT graduation,” said Richardson. “Buffalo Bill and his military band performed here. We had dancing horses and goats and everything, but I think bears, on the stage here.”

That history was almost lost when a man broke into the private social club through a sidedoor that connects to an alley.

“He had to work very hard to get in,” said Carson Watson, the building engineer at The Austin Club.

Once inside, the intruder appears to have set two fires. The GM thinks he used matches from The Austin Club to try to light a tablecloth on fire. The flame retardant material just melted.

Then the intruder went to the third floor.

“He actually started the fire by lighting one of the tapestries that hangs on the wall,” said Richardson.

The club is decorated with tapestries and expensive antiques, but that’s not what the intruder was after.

“He was caught leaving the building with some alcohol, three bottles of wine and a can of Heineken. So apparently he likes imported beer,” said Richardson.

It’s about $100 worth of alcohol that is ending up costing $100,000 dollars in fire, smoke and water damage. The good news is that an historic building that dates back to 1878 wasn’t added to the bill.

“It’s part of the fiber of what makes Austin, Austin,” said Richardson.

Matthew James Caldwell is charged with intentionally setting the fire. He does not appear to have any connection to The Austin Club.

“We don’t recognize the name at all, so we don’t think he had any ties to the club here at any time,” said Richardson.

“It looks like a completely random crime, just a crime of opportunity,” said Captain Andy Reardon with the Austin Fire Department.

The Austin Club has signs posted on the front door saying it will reopen on Tuesday. The GM says no weddings or other large events need to be moved or canceled.

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St. Petersburg, FL – Grease fire at Tropicana Field extinguished with help from sprinkler system

A grease fire broke out at Tropicana Field Thursday, right as the Rays are about to open their 21st season, officials said. The fire started on the third level of the stadium. Officials said the sprinkler system was activated and the fire was extinguished.  Firefighters later arrived at the scene to clear out the smoke. No injuries were reported. The Rays host the Red Sox for their home opener Thursday. First pitch is slated for just after 4 p.m.

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Fargo, ND – Fire at FARGODOME indoor stadium doused by sprinkler system

A sprinkler did its job and put out a fire at the FARGODOME in north Fargo Monday night.  Firefighters got the call around 11 p.m. and discovered a dryer fire in a storage area on the lower level. They say a sprinkler head in the area had activated and had completely extinguished the flames, which kept damage to a minimum — about $3,000. The cause is under investigation, but is considered to be accidental.