Category Archives: Other Business

Wheeling, IL – Fire at commercial laundry business controlled by sprinkler system

A fire at Crothall Laundry in Wheeling was put out within 15 minutes of starting at around 9:01 a.m. Wednesday. Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac said there were no injuries sustained, no damage to the building and minimal damage to equipment at the business. However, Hintz Road was shut down for about 30 minutes while hoses were connected to a nearby fire hydrant. According to MacIsaac, the fire was contained to a large, industrial clothes dryer about the size of a semi-trailer. Crothall, located at 45 W. Hintz Rd., serves several local hospitals washing and dying linens and other materials by the ton.

“We’ve had a lot of fires over there,” said MacIsaac. Due to housekeeping issues related to the large machinery, the department responds to similar fires several times a year, he added. Before crews arrived at 9:05 a.m. to battle heavy smoke from the flames, the building’s sprinkler system kept the blaze controlled. All employees were safely evacuated. Damage estimates were not immediately available Wednesday morning

Brampton, ON, Canada – Overnight fire at recycling business limited by sprinkler system

Brampton firefighters were called to a tire recycling business on Bramwin Court for a fire in the early morning hours Wednesday (March 28).  As the first firefighters arrived around 4 a.m., they called for a second alarm. However, firefighters say the building’s sprinkler system worked to their advantage and helped contain the flames.  There were no reports of injuries. The area remained closed during the morning rush hour as crews cleaned up at the scene.

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.

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.

Fallston, MD – Fire that started in movie theater popcorn machine controlled with help from spinklers

A small fire inside a movie theater Tuesday, prompted an emergency response from local fire stations.  Just before 11:30 a.m., Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance along with the Joppa – Magnolia Fire Company responded to the Horizon Cinemas located at 2315 Bel Air Road in Fallston.  Upon arrival, units discovered one of the buildings sprinkler systems activated after a popcorn machine caught fire.  No injuries were reported according to Chief Dave Williams, of Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company.

Bismarck, ND – Fire at auto body shop extinguished by sprinkler system; Business resumes operations quickly

A fire, caused by welding sparks which ignited the filters of a spray booth ventilation system at an auto body shop, was largely contained by the business’ sprinklers on Tuesday. The Bismarck Fire Department was dispatched at about 4:23 p.m. to the 1800 block of Commerce Drive, where heavy smoke was showing from the shop area of the single-story building.

Fire had spread to the roof top HVAC system, but flames inside the shop had been extinguished by the activation of two heads on the fire sprinkler system, according to Owen Fitzsimmons, a fire marshal with the Bismarck Fire Department, who deemed the incident was accidental. Fire crews removed a roof top ventilation fan and a portion of the roof to access and extinguish the blaze. Afterward, a thermal imaging camera was used to scan for any fire spread, and firefighters left the scene at about 7:24 p.m.

Bismarck Police Department assisted with scene control. Metro Area Ambulance was on scene to provide assistance. There were no injuries to building occupants or firefighters. The sprinkler system has been reactivated, the business remains in operation.

Nanaimo, BC, Canada – Intentionally-set fire at credit union knocked down by sprinkler system

A man is in psychiatric care after being arrested in Nanaimo yesterday.

Police responded to a break-in alarm at the Island Savings Credit Union branch at Cedar Village Square, 1840 Cedar Rd., shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Police are not identifying the suspect other than to say that he is 54 years old and from the B.C. Interior, but allege he broke windows and lit a fire which led to his arrest.

“He lit a fire in the cardboard recycling area of the receiving bay of the 49th Parallel Grocery store,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “He also threw a brick through one of the … windows at the credit union and he also broke a passenger side window to a car.”

O’Brien said there was a warrant for the man’s arrest under Canada’s mental health act.

“He offered no resistance. He was arrested immediately.” O’Brien said. “It was apparent to the members that were mental health issues at play and he was taken for a psych exam.”

The man remains in care at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Percy Tipping, North Cedar Fire Rescue chief, said the fire, that was started in cardboard, spread to some shipping pallets. The heat from the fire triggered the building’s automatic sprinkler system.

“Which was good because it could have been a lot more serious … the sprinkler system took care of the bulk of it for us,” Tipping said.

O’Brien said police are looking at recommending charges, but also are taking into consideration the man’s mental health issues.

Uwchlan Township, PA – Electrical fire at software company office put out with help from sprinkler system

An electrical fire forced the evacuation of an office building in the Eagleview Complex Thursday. Firefighters were called to Bentley Software at 685 Stockton Drive for a fire at 12:36 p.m.

Lionville Fire Company Deputy Chief Michael Holmes said the fire was contained to the electric room on the second floor of the building. All employees safely evacuated, the building sprinkler system activated and firefighters used dry power extinguishers to contain the fire until PECO was able to respond an turn off the power, Holmes said.

Holmes said the fire was under control in 20 minutes. He described the damage to the structure as minimal, but that there was extensive damage to the electrical system of the building, Holmes said. The company’s main computer servers were located in another building in the complex, he said.

Firefighters checked the roof for extension of hidden fire and fans to remove smoke.

Jeff Purcell, Pennsylvania State police Fire Marshal, said there was no information on the cause or amount of damage at this time. The fire is being investigated by the Chester County Fire Marshals office and the State Police Fire Marshal.

Lionville was aided by Minquas and West Whiteland Fire companies.

San Carlos, CA – Fire at commercial building held in check by single automatic fire sprinkler

A two-alarm fire broke out in San Carlos early Wednesday morning, damaging a commercial building before crews got it under control, reports indicate.  Crews were called around 2:18 a.m. to the 1100 bock of Industrial Road, according to the Pulsepoint smartphone application.  San Mateo County Fire Department personnel were assisted by the Redwood City Fire Department, who indicated on Twitter that the fire was “held in check” by just one sprinkler. The agency said the first alarm companies put the blaze out.  Additional details on the fire were not immediately available.