Category Archives: Other / Not Specified

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Hastings, MN – Sprinklers contain dump truck fire at excavating business

Firefighters stopped what could have been a major fire Saturday, Jan. 9, at DSM Excavating in the 2900 block of Enterprise Avenue. Crews responded at 9:33 p.m., after the building’s fire alarms activated.  According to Fire and EMS Director Mike Schutt, smoke was visible on the south side of the building when firefighters arrived and the automatic sprinkler system was already operating.  Crews entered the building, which was filled with thick black smoke that allowed zero visibility.  Inside, they found a dump truck on fire, which they extinguished.

The dump truck’s engine and cab were totally destroyed, with damage estimated at about $200,000. However, the fire could have been much worse, as there was other heavy equipment parked very close to the engulfed truck. Schutt credited the sprinkler system with saving the rest of the equipment and the building, which would have been a $4 million loss.

“While the firefighters did a fantastic job tonight, much credit goes to the automatic fire sprinkler system and the monitored fire alarm system,” Schutt wrote in an email the night of the fire. “As the fire grew in size, the automatic fire sprinkler system activated, keeping the fire contained to the dump truck and not allowing it to spread. Literally, other dump trucks and heavy equipment were parked within two feet of this fire and had no damage.”

Hastings firefighters were assisted by Hastings police and the Miesville Fire Department. The fire department, which also operates an ambulance service, also responded to two separate medical emergencies and one other fire response for downed electrical lines in Marshan Township while battling the Industrial Park fire. Investigation into the cause of the fire continues this week.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Naperville, IL – Sprinklers assist firefighters in containing fire in storage room at business

The contents of a Naperville business in the 2000 block of Aurora Avenue suffered more damage than the structure following a Saturday afternoon fire, according to a release from the Naperville Fire Department. Firefighters received a call from an employee at 1:05 p.m. stating the fire alarm was sounding and there was smoke coming from a rear storage room, but no flames seen, the release said.

The first arriving fire unit reported nothing showing from three sides of the business, the release said. Upon entry, they found heavy smoke, at which time the alarm was upgraded by the shift commander, bringing more equipment and firefighters.

Extinguishing the fire was difficult due to the size of the structure, however after the deployment of several hose lines and coordinated operations, including the building’s sprinkler system, the fire was extinguished 46 minutes after the initial dispatch, according to the release.

Damage to the structure was moderate, however damage to contents within the structure was extensive due to smoke, fire, and water, the release said. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.

The Naperville Fire Department was assisted on the scene by departments from Aurora and Plainfield. Units from Downers Grove and Bolingbrook as well as the Warrenville and Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection Districts provided station coverage for the city during the incident.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Coventry, RI – Early morning fire at business controlled with help from sprinkler system

Several businesses in Coventry were damaged Wednesday morning after a small fire triggered the emergency sprinkler system. The fire started at about 2:30 a.m. inside a building at 577 Tiogue Ave. The fire scorched an exterior door, but the sprinkler system kept the flames from spreading until fire crews could arrive at the scene.

Several businesses sustained heavy damage from the amount of water used by the sprinkler alarm. Central Coventry Fire District Chief Peter Lamb said the fire was accidental but would not comment on the cause. Nobody was in the building when the fire broke out.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Lafayette, LA – Electrical fire at bingo hall extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries

Lafayette firefighters responded to a sprinkler alarm activation at the Metro Bingo Hall on NE Evangeline Throughway around 7:28 a.m. Saturday. When firefighters arrived, the alarm to the sprinkler was sounding and Firefighters made entry into the building and discovered smoke inside and water flowing from a sprinkler head.

Authorities say the sprinkler extinguished the fire, however, the interior of the building sustained heavy smoke damage. Fire investigators determined that the fire originated under a table/desk in the bingo area of the building where there was numerous electrical equipment including computers under a desk.

The building has been closed since Thursday night. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Portland, OR – Firefighters use sprinkler system’s FDC to help control blaze at abandoned building; No injuries

A fire broke out Tuesday night in an abandoned building that formerly housed the popular dive bar and music venue, Slabtown. Initial reports of smoke coming from a dumpster around NW 16th Avenue and NW Northrup Street came in around 7:30 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue Lt. Rich Tyler said.

When firefighters arrived, they determined the smoke was actually coming from the basement of what used to be Slabtown Bar. It was upgraded to a commercial fire and several more crews rushed to the scene.

As they began to fight the fire, crews discovered holes they were previously unaware of in the basement of the abandoned building. That discovery, combined with knowledge of the building’s unstable structure, forced crews to retreat. “For us it’s unsafe,” Lt. Tyler explained. “There’s parts of the structure that, in fire conditions, would be unsafe for us as firefighters to be working in.”

It was upgraded to a 2nd-alarm fire as crews worked to devise a new plan of attack. Lt. Tyler said all firefighters taken out of the building were accounted for.  Fire hoses were hooked up to the building’s sprinkler system to help put out the flames. The fire was under control by 8:50 p.m.

As of 10:15 p.m., firefighters were still working to put out hot spots in the basement. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Los Angeles, CA – Challenging fire at commercial building held in check with help from sprinkler system

Fire burned for more than an hour in a one-story commercial building housing a makeup wholesaler in downtown Los Angeles, firefighters said today.  Nearly 100 firefighters worked on the blaze, which started outside the building and then spread inside.

No injuries were reported at the fire, which was reported at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Max Makeup Cherimoya at 813 S. Gladys Ave., between San Pedro Street and Central Avenue, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

A total of 95 firefighters responded and put the fire out in 61 minutes, containing the flames to the structure, Humphrey said. Firefighters’ efforts were complicated by dense storage conditions and “entrenched flames” inside the building, Humphrey said. However, firefighters were also helped in their battle by a sprinkler system which assisted in keeping the fire in check, Humphrey added.

Other - Residential, Other / Not Specified, Other Business, Residential

Mount Prospect, IL – Two recent fires highlight importance of automatic fire sprinklers

** NO MEDIA COVERAGE – FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED **

October 24, 2015 at approximately 5:58 p.m., the Mount Prospect Fire Department responded to an activated fire alarm in the building at 1751 Linneman Road. As firefighters were investigating the activated fire alarm, they discovered an activated sprinkler was controlling a vehicle fire inside the building. Firefighters extinguished the fire, limiting fire damage to the vehicle.

On October 28, 2015 at approximately 3:43p.m., the Mount Prospect Fire Department responded to a report of an oven fire at 290 Westgate Road. As firefighters entered the dwelling unit they discovered that one activated fire sprinkler was controlling an oven fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire, limiting fire damage to the stove area.

No injuries were reported as a result of these fires. Without the automatic fire sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems, the loss to both of these buildings could have been much more significant. The estimated fire damage for both of these fires was $125,000 with a total property value saved in excess of five million dollars.

“The positive result of these fires represents the excellent work that our entire fire department does on a daily basis,” stated Interim Fire Chief Brian Lambel. “The fire suppression was extremely effective due to the training and professional operations of our firefighters. The automatic fire sprinkler systems performed as designed due to the inspections, code enforcement and the development review role our Fire Prevention Bureau performs. The outcome of these fires could have been much different if all of these components had not come together.”

Fire sprinklers work because they do not rely on human factors. Unlike the common myth that all sprinklers in the building activate at once, only the fire sprinkler above the actual fire activates. Automatic fire sprinklers operate in the area where a fire starts, preventing it from growing uncontrolled to a dangerous size while simultaneously sounding an alarm and notifying the fire department.

Because of the proven effectiveness of automatic fire sprinklers and the enhanced life safety features they provide, the Village of Mount Prospect requires all new construction be protected by automatic fire sprinklers. This requirement includes new townhomes and single-family residences. For more information regarding automatic fire sprinklers, or the requirements for testing and maintenance of sprinkler and fire alarm systems, please contact the Mount Prospect Fire Prevention Bureau at (847) 818-5253.

 

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Amherst, MA – Fire at Eric Carle Museum is extinguished by sprinkler system; Damage contained to water heater closet

The water heater closet at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book art Tuesday caught fire but was doused by the sprinkler system before the fire spread to the museum. Fire Chief Tim Nelson said combustibles like plastic buckets and brooms were stored around the heater, which shorted out and then the combustibles caught fire.

“It’s a good thing the sprinkler head was in the closet,” Nelson said. He said people forget that a water heater closet is for the heater, not general storage. He said the museum was allowed to reopen to staff and that fire crews got most of the smoke out, however, he said the smell of burnt plastic lingered.

According to the museum’s Facebook page, the museum is closed for the day. The heater will need to be replaced, Nelson said. “The sprinkler did what it was supposed to do,” Nelson said. “If they followed good housekeeping practices, we wouldn’t have been there at all.”

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Philadelphia, PA – Sprinkler system activates to help contain fire at iconic welcome center in Fairmount Park

Crews were sweeping up shattered glass Tuesday morning, cleaning up after a fire at the Fairmount Park Welcome Center at 16th Street and JFK Boulevard. The iconic building was built in 1960 and is known as an example of mid-20th century modern architecture.

“It’s a rather unusual architecture style in Center City,” said Mark Focht of Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Department, “but goes with the Penn Center office buildings that surround it. It’s a unique, iconic building.”

Arthur Shinholster says he was in Love Park with his friends when the fire broke out just after 3 a.m. He called 911. The building’s alarm and sprinkler system activated. Smoke was coming from the basement.

“It was a whole bunch of smoke coming out of it,” Shinholster told Action News. “It was coming from underneath. No sooner I pulled over but Michael Nutter, Mayor Michael Nutter, pulled up. I was calling the fire department, and his crew was calling at the same time.”

40 firefighters were able to get the fire under control within 15 minutes. Officials say the worst of the damage is in the basement, though firefighters were forced to break about 20 windows for ventilation.

You can see windows broken out,” said Philadelphia Fire Department Capt. William Dixon. “There’s obvious damage, smoke and water damage throughout the building.”

“We are coming up into our very busy season with the Holiday Village here in Love Park,” said Focht. “So we will figure out over the next 24 hours how we will utilize building over next several months.”

The welcome center was already set to be closed in April for extensive renovations.

James Cuorato, President and CEO of the Independence Visitor Center, says the welcome center is an important satellite location.

The hope is to get it back up and running as soon as possible.

 

“We have a big weekend coming up with the Temple-Notre Dame football game,” said Cuorato. “We are anxious and hopeful to get it back and running by then.”

 

The fire marshal is working to determine what caused the blaze.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Akron, OH – Sprinklers help control fire and limit damage in fire at funeral home

Akron firefighters are investigating the cause of a Wednesday-morning fire at a South Main Street funeral home. The fire broke out about 9 a.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home in the 1900 block of South Main Street. A smoke alarm alerted firefighters.

Several employees were inside the building when the alarm sounded. No one was injured.

Akron Fire Department Capt. Don Klein said firefighters arrived and found smoke coming from the roof. Firefighters found the fire burning in the attic near the side of the building. Firefighters attacked the blaze from the inside first, then put the rest of the fire out from the outside, Klein said.

The fire was under control within about 10 minutes, and it took about 40 minutes to completely extinguish the blaze. “About 10 more minutes it would have been really bad,” Klein said. “These guys got here really quick and did a great job.”

Officials have no estimate of how much damage the fire caused. The attic sustained smoke and fire damage. Water from the firefighters and the building’s sprinkler system caused most of the damage, Klein said.

Fire investigators said it’s too early to tell the cause of the fire. They are investigating several possibilities, including an electrical problem or that the fire was started because of a new crematorium recently installed in the building.

Eric Anthony, an employee of the funeral home, said the fire would not interrupt business. He said they expected to reopen soon.No funerals will be affected by the fire, he said.