Category Archives: Apartment Building

Apartment Building, Residential

Moscow, ID – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at apartment complex

Fire crews responded to a second-floor apartment fire on North Main Street Monday night, where a lithium battery malfunction is now being identified as the cause, according to the Moscow Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched at 9:44 p.m. on November 24 to 436 North Main Street after reports of smoke and an activated sprinkler system inside an upstairs unit. The first engine arrived in under four minutes.

Although no smoke was visible from outside, crews found moderate smoke conditions throughout the apartment. Firefighters shut down the sprinkler system, cleared smoke from the building, and removed water affecting both the second-floor apartments and the commercial space below.

No one was home in the affected apartment at the time of the fire. According to the department, working smoke alarms alerted neighbors, and the building’s fire sprinkler system significantly reduced the extent of the damage.

An investigation determined the fire was caused by the thermal runaway of a portable lithium battery device.

Apartment Building, Residential

Richmond Heights, MO – Sprinkler system activated for single unit apartment fire

People in a Richmond Heights apartment complex were displaced Sunday following a small fire in a single unit.

The fire happened around 2:30 p.m. at The Arrive Brentwood complex, located along Eager Road just south of Interstate 64.

According to Richmond Heights Fire Department spokesman, the sprinkler system was activated in the building and firefighters quickly extinguished the small fire.

There was some smoke and water damage to approximately 30 units. The people in those units had to find housing with friends or go to hotels.

Apartment Building, Residential, Residential High Rise

Nashua, NH – Sprinkler system activated for fire at 8-story apartment building

At approximately 7:54 a.m. on November 23, 2025 Nashua Fire Rescue dispatch center  received the master box for 56 Tyler St. Engine 4 responded and was updated while in route of a  possible fire on the fourth floor. Engine 4 arrived on scene of an 8-story apartment building with  nothing showing from the exterior. Engine 4 reported a fire in the hallway of the 4th floor. The fire was held in check by two operating sprinkler heads. Engine 4 used the high-rise pack to tie  into the standpipe system to fully extinguish the fire.  

Crews conducted evacuations below the fire floor and displaced occupants were sheltered at 57 Tyler St. Emergency Management and Red Cross worked with the occupants to find  accommodations for those residents that were displaced.

There was water damage to 14 units and approximately 30 occupants were displaced. The structure sustained fire damage in the 4th floor hallway of the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Nashua Fire Marshall’s Office.  Mutual aid to the scene: None

Apartment Building, Residential

La Grande, OR – Fifth floor apartment fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

On Saturday November 15, 2025 at 10:39 pm, crews responded to a report of a fire on the 5th floor of the Sac Annex.  Initial arriving crews made a quick interior attack.  A second alarm was called out of an abundance of caution, but later cancelled, due to how rapidly the fire was extinguished.  Early detection, automatic sprinkler system activation and fast-effective response were vital in containing the spread of the fire to the apartment of origin. 

No injuries were reported.  All building occupants were safely evacuated and the American Red Cross responded to the scene to assist individuals displaced by the incident.

The interior portions of the building (from the lobby to the 7th floor) will remain closed for clean-up and fire suppression system restoration.  Limited business activity may occur at the street level businesses.  It is advised to reach out to the specific business to determine if they are operational.

An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the fire.  Fire personnel, investigators and restoration contractors will be working on scene.

City of La Grande Fire Department would like to express gratitude to our agency partners, for their invaluable response and assistance: La Grande Rural Fire Protetion District, Union Ambulance, La Grande Police Department, Oregon State Police, American Red Cross and the La Grande First Presbyterian Church.  Over 25 individuals assisted with this incident; including on-duty, off-duty and volunteer personnel.  Thank you all!

Apartment Building, Residential

Waterville, ME – Fire at apartment building contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire at an apartment building in Waterville Friday forced residents to relocate, according to the Waterville Fire Department.

Waterville firefighters responded to the Lockwood Mill building at 6 Water St. shortly before 6:30 p.m. The first crews on scene reported alarms sounding and people evacuating the building, the department said. They found smoke in a stairwell and water running between floors.

Crews discovered a smoldering fire in a construction area on the fifth floor. The building’s sprinkler system contained most of the fire, and it did not spread to other areas, according to the department.

Only the third floor of the building was reportedly occupied. Residents were provided transportation and temporary lodging at a nearby hotel in coordination with the Waterville Housing Authority, the department said. No injuries were reported.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Waterville Fire Department reminded residents and business owners to keep fire alarms and sprinkler systems in working order, saying properly maintained systems save lives.

The Winslow Fire Department assisted with the fire.

Apartment Building, Residential

Hanson, MA – Fire at apartment complex contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped put down a Hanson apartment fire.

Fire Chief Robert O’Brien says that at approximately 6:44 p.m. Wednesday crews responded to 1479 Main St. for a reported bedroom fire.

Upon arrival they found a heavy smoke condition inside one of the apartment units and the fire sprinkler system flowing.

After making entry firefighters were able to confirm that the sprinkler system had largely contained the fire and fire crews put it out completely.

No injuries were reported.

However, two apartments were impacted by water and smoke damage.

A preliminary investigation has determined that the fire was accidental and caused by a candle.

Apartment Building, Residential

Rochester, NY – Apartment building kitchen fire held in check by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Smoke filled the upper floors of a Litchfield Street apartment building Wednesday afternoon after a kitchen fire broke out, but an automatic sprinkler system kept the flames in check until firefighters arrived.

Rochester fire crews were dispatched just before 1 p.m. for an automatic alarm, followed by reports of an apartment on fire. When firefighters reached the five-story brick building, they found smoke coming from a third-floor unit.

Crews entered the apartment and found an active sprinkler head flowing water, which had already contained the blaze. Firefighters made sure the fire was fully extinguished, rescued a dog from the apartment, and shut down the sprinkler system to prevent further water damage.

Smoke was ventilated and crews remained on scene to help mitigate water throughout the building. Water damage was limited to two apartments.

No one was home at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental, caused by unattended cooking.

Apartment Building, Residential

Hartford, CT – Second-floor apartment fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

14 people, three of whom are children, have been displaced by an apartment fire on Wethersfield Avenue on Monday evening.

According to the Hartford Fire Department, crews responded to a report of a working fire at an apartment building on Wethersfield Avenue in the city’s South End neighborhood just before 6 p.m. on Monday.

At the scene, the crews found fire in a second-floor apartment that had been partially contained by the building’s sprinkler system. The crews had the fire under control shortly after arriving.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters have been reported. The Hartford Fire Department’s Special Services Unit and the American Red Cross are assisting the 14 people who were displaced.

Apartment Building, Residential

Lyndon, VT – Sprinkler system activated for trash can fire at apartment complex

Multiple people had to be relocated after a fire at an apartment complex in Lyndon.

It happened around 4 a.m. Monday on Depot Street, where the Darling Inn apartments are.

Crews say they found a fire on the third floor in a trash can next to a chair.

The building’s sprinkler system was able to contain the flames, but water damage forced residents of five units to be displaced.

Authorities say the fire was accidental and everyone got out safely.

Apartment Building, Residential

Peoria, IL – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A resident was arrested Monday afternoon after allegedly starting a fire in their apartment, which also damaged three other units in downtown Peoria.

Fire Battalion Chief Mike Ralston says crews were called just before 3:30 p.m. to an apartment building in the 200 block of NE Madison Avenue, between Hamilton and Fayette.

Ralston says the building’s sprinkler system helped firefighters bring the fire under control quickly, but four units suffered fire and water damage.

Damage is estimated at $80,000. No injuries were reported. Four people were displaced by the fire.

The suspect’s name has not been released by Peoria Police at this time.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers