Category Archives: Apartment Building

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.

Apartment Building, Residential

Chattanooga, TN – Fire caused by candle extinguished by sprinkler system

“Another fire caused by a candle!” 

The Chattanooga Fire Department is once again reminding residents about candle safety after a small fire at an apartment Sunday morning.

Crews responded around 11:19am to the Borough 33 Apartments on Bexley Square.

The sprinkler system extinguished the flames, but firefighters worked to remove water from the structure in an effort to minimize damage.

CFD said that you should extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.

“To practice candle safety, keep flames at least 12 inches from flammable materials,” CFD said. “Always supervise burning candles and place them on a stable, heat-resistant, flat surface away from drafts and high-traffic areas.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Johnstown, CO – Sprinkler system contains fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

Early this morning, residents at the Ledge Rock Apartments were awakened by fire alarms and the smell of smoke — but thanks to a fast response and an effective sprinkler system, a potential disaster was quickly contained.

At approximately 1:46 a.m., Front Range Fire Rescue (FRFR) responded to reports of a commercial fire alarm at the Ledge Rock Apartments in Johnstown. Upon arrival, firefighters found alarms sounding, residents reporting smoke, and the building’s sprinkler system actively suppressing flames.

A comprehensive fire response was initiated, involving mutual aid from Mountain View Fire Rescue, Windsor Severance Fire Rescue, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, UCHealth EMS, and the Johnstown Police Department. Crews discovered a small fire in a first-floor apartment that the sprinkler system had already controlled. Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining flames and conducted overhaul and salvage operations to ensure the fire was completely out.

Damage was limited to the affected apartment and a few surrounding units, with minor water damage. No injuries were reported, and residents have since been allowed to return to their homes. Fire crews remained on scene through the morning to assist residents and continue the investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Oregon, WI – Sprinkler system contains apartment building fire; No injuries reported

No injuries were reported after Oregon Area Fire/EMS District (OAFED) personnel were dispatched during the night of Monday, Oct. 20 to a three-story apartment building after an alarm monitoring company reported a residential fire alarm.

According to a Tuesday, Oct. 21 OAFED news release, the swift activation of the building’s sprinkler system played a critical role in containing what could have been a much more severe incident. Upon arrival, the first-arriving engine company quickly identified the cause of the alarm: an unattended cooking fire within one of the apartment units.

The fire was suppressed by the immediate activation of a sprinkler head directly above the area of origin. This crucial response by the building’s fire suppression system effectively confined the fire damage to a small area within the affected apartment.

While the fire itself was quickly extinguished, the apartment of origin sustained fire, smoke, and water damage. Additionally, several adjacent apartments experienced varying degrees of water damage as a direct result of the sprinkler system’s activation. OAFED crews worked diligently to mitigate further damage by promptly stopping the flow of water from the sprinkler system. They then initiated extensive water removal efforts from all affected apartments, minimizing the impact on residents and property.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the vital importance of properly installed and maintained sprinkler systems in residential buildings. The quick action of this system undoubtedly prevented the fire from spreading, saving lives and significantly reducing property loss. We commend the alarm monitoring company for their prompt notification and our crews for their efficient response in both extinguishing the fire and mitigating water damage.

OAFED reminds all residents to exercise extreme caution when cooking and to never leave cooking unattended. Unattended cooking remains a leading cause of residential fires.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers