Category Archives: Apartment Building

Apartment Building, Residential

Norwalk, CT – Bedroom apartment fire held in check thanks to sprinkler system

Firefighters extinguished a small bedroom fire Thursday morning in an apartment in the Avalon complex on Belden Avenue, according to officials.

Two people, a mother and her 11-year-old child, were evaluated by Norwalk Hospital paramedics at the scene following the 9:15 a.m. fire, but they declined a trip to the hospital.

The fire, which broke out in the master bedroom of the two-bedroom apartment, was largely held in check by the unit’s sprinkler system, but firefighters doused the remaining flames. Additionally, firefighters diverted the sprinkler water out an apartment window to limit damage to the unit.

Residents of the building temporarily were evacuated, but were allowed back in by 10:30 a.m.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by Norwalk Fire Inspectors David Burrows and Dale Roos.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spring, TX – Fire sprinklers put out apartment kitchen fire

South Montgomery County Firefighters responded to a fire alarm just around dinner time Wednesday at the Rayford Edge apartments located at 25650 I-45 South. When the first unit arrived they found that a cooking fire had started in an apartment in building 7, but was quickly extinguished when a fire sprinkler in the kitchen was activated by the heat. The occupant reported that he had been cooking when cooking oil ignited a fire on the stove and began spreading smoke and heat throughout his apartment. Before he could even call 911, the building’s fire sprinkler system activated and contained the fire to the top of the stove.

Firefighters checked to make sure the fire was out and cleared up the smoke in the apartment before turning the building back over to management. Fortunately, for the other residents and the building’s owner, the building had been equipped with a fire sprinkler system after it was destroyed by a previous fire. Many older apartment complexes were built before modern codes required them to be protected by fire sprinklers. In 2008, Montgomery County Commissioner’s Court adopted a County Fire
Code after a series of disastrous fires and that code requires fire sprinklers be installed in all new multi-family buildings, including buildings like this one that are modernized or rebuilt after previous fires. Had the fire broke out in any of the other existing buildings in the complex that are not equipped with fire sprinklers, it would undoubtedly have spread further and led to extensive damage, risking the lives of residents and firefighters.

The Montgomery County Fire Marshal’s Office has been working with owners of older multi-family complexes to bring them up to modern safety standards during major renovation projects. Two of the more dramatic examples are taking place at the Woodglen and Holly Creek Apartment complexes in The Woodlands. Both are undergoing renovation and ownership is committed to installing fire sprinkler systems in every building in both complexes after past fires have left residents homeless or worse. The vast majority of the nearly 3000 annual fire deaths in the Nation occur each year in residential property, with multi-family buildings at higher risk due to the number of occupants and sheer building size.

While fire sprinklers are the best protection, and required in all new multi-family construction, tenants should make sure that there are working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway and living area. Under State Law, Texas Landlords are required to provide working smoke alarms in all residential rental property. Tenants are responsible for testing them, replacing batteries as needed and may not tamper with or disable any fire protection device, including fire sprinklers and smoke alarms.

Apartment Building, Residential

Westbrook, MA – Fire sprinklers extinguish kitchen apartment fire; No injuries reported

The Red Cross says it is helping 11 people after a fire in Westbrook Sunday.

Firefighters were called to the Larrabee Village housing complex on Liza Harmon Drive at about 1:15 Sunday and found a kitchen fire in a fourth-floor apartment. They said flames started on a stovetop and spread upward.

Firefighters said the automatic sprinkler system in the kitchen put the fire out before they arrived. Crews worked quickly to contain water damage.

No one was hurt, but there was some cleaning work to be done.

The exact cause of the fire was under investigation Monday morning.

Larrabee Village offers one-bedroom subsidized apartments with kitchenettes, primarily for those age 62 and older.

Apartment Building, Residential

Farmers Branch, TX – Single sprinkler head extinguishes apartment fire

On September 17, 2020 at 11:09 am, the Farmers Branch Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at 11601 Lago Vista West #1156.   Quint 133 arrived on scene with nothing showing and began an investigation.  No audibles or strobes were activating.  A fire alarm technician approached the crew and advised the fire alarm system was being worked on, but a fire occurred in apartment #1156 with one sprinkler head activation.  Upon arrival to the apartment, the door was closed.  Resident was in the hallway.   Upon entering the apartment, light smoke was observed and one head had activated in a bedroom.  The fire had been extinguished.  Sprinkler system and fire pump were turned off.  Quint 133 requested an investigator.  Investigation determined the fire started along a base board by a dresser where a laundry basket of clothes were stacked.  The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.  Estimated loss is $15,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Single fire sprinkler puts out apartment balcony fire; No injuries reported

A single fire sprinkler in an apartment balcony extinguished a fire on Tuesday, the McKinney Fire Department said.

The department received a call about smoke at The Avenues of Craig Ranch apartments on 8700 Stacy Road. When firefighters arrived, the flames had been extinguished by a single sprinkler on the balcony of one apartment, according to a department press release.

“Fire Investigators say it appears a vacuum was left plugged in on the balcony and shorted out,” the press release stated.

Nobody was home when the fire broke out, and nearby apartment residents were evacuated, the press release stated. There was limited damage, but no injuries.

To avoid electrical fires, the McKinney Fire Department in its press release recommended calling a qualified electrician or landlord if residents have frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, a tingling feeling when touching an electrical appliance or if they have discolored or warm wall outlets. Residents should also call an electrician or landlord if they notice a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance, flickering or dimming lights or sparks from an outlet.

Apartment Building, Residential

Sequim, WA – Fire sprinkler system keeps apartment fire contained

 Fire burned at an apartment complex in Sequim last night.

About 7 PM, Fire District Three was called to reports of a fire in a unit at the Elk Creek Apartments. A tenant said flames were spreading in one unit.

Most of the complex’s tenants had evacuated by the time fire crews arrived. Officials say everyone had been alerted to a fire by audible fire alarms. A sprinkler system activated and kept the fire isolated.

Two units were damaged by fire, smoke, and water. No one was injured.

The Red Cross was also notified and responded to assist the displaced tenants.

Apartment Building, Residential

James Island, SC – Kitchen apartment fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire that started in the kitchen of an apartment could’ve turned into something much worse without the help of a fire sprinkler.

The Charleston Fire Department said on Friday they received an automatic fire alarm activation from The Standard Apartments on James Island.

Firefighters saw an apartment with light smoke and a fire sprinkler spraying water. They entered the apartment and found an already extinguished fire near the stove.

“Multiple life safety strategies worked together to protect our residents and our first responders,” said Chief Fire Marshal Mike Julazadeh. “The fire sprinkler system activated to confine the fire, the fire alarm system provided automatic notification to the tenants and alerted 911, and the fire department arrived to contain and control the incident. There were no injuries and the building returned to use almost immediately.”

Investigators determined the stove was left on and the combustible material on the stove started the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Auburn, WA – Fire sprinklers control apartment fire and limit damage

The streak began on Friday, Sept. 4, at 12:48 p.m., with a fire at the Gentry Walk Apartments, 12700 block of SE 312th St. in Auburn. Three adults, including one disabled female were displaced after a fire began in their apartment. The disabled female was not able to evacuate on her own and was carried out by firefighters. Fortunately, the building sprinkler system controlled this fire, limiting damage to approximately $5,000 in the affected unit.  An adjacent unit suffered a small amount of water damage. The cause is undetermined at this time.

Apartment Building, Residential

Boise, ID – Sprinkler system puts out apartment fire after firework is lit inside apartment

One person was injured and a Boise apartment was damaged by people playing with fireworks early Friday morning, according to investigators.

Just after 1:30 a.m., officers responded to an apartment fire on the 1000 block to West Royal Boulevard to assist the Boise Fire Department with their investigation.  

When they arrived, a fire in a second floor apartment had already filled the building with smoke and forced residents to evacuate for about an hour.

According to a preliminary investigation, three men were playing a game when they lit a firework inside the apartment. That activated the sprinkler system which put out the fire before it could spread. However, the apartment did sustain fire and water damage.

Police say the men could face first-degree arson charges. The case has been forwarded to the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Boise Police and Boise Fire would like to remind the public of the dangers and criminal charges that can result from playing with or misusing fireworks.

Apartment Building, Residential

Grapevine, TX – (no media coverage) Fire sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire after air fryer catches fire

An Air Fryer caught fire in the kitchen, 2nd floor apartment (3 stories).  Sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire.  Water/smoke/fire damage to the kitchen and living room area.  Also water damage to the 1st floor apartment.  There are 18 apartments in the building.  So 16 apartments saved.  The tenant was home at the time of the alarm.