Category Archives: Residential High Rise

Residential, Residential High Rise

Jersey City, NJ – Sprinklers assist firefighters in containing early morning fire in luxury high-rise; No injuries reported

The Jersey City Fire Department responded to a small fire at the Monaco luxury high-rise early last Wednesday morning, authorities said. After arriving to the Washington Boulevard apartment complex at 1:30 a.m., firefighters located a fire in the heating component of one of the building’s units, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Scalcione said. The small fire, which set off two sprinkler heads, was determined to have been caused by a faulty heating system, Scalcione added. One apartment sustained fire damage and two others had minor water damage, the spokeswoman said, adding that no injuries were reported.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Elgin, IL – Residential high-rise fire put out by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A kitchen fire was reported in a northwest suburban high-rise building Monday afternoon in Elgin.  At 12:55 p.m. fire crews responded to reports of a kitchen fire with sprinkler activation on the fifth floor of a high-rise building at 104 S. State St., according to a statement from the Elgin Fire Department.  A resident who went down to the second floor told crews she had smoke in her apartment, fire said. Crews located a cooking fire on the stove that had spread to the cabinets and was extinguished by the sprinkler system.  Firefighters ensured the fire was put out, shut off the activated sprinkler, evacuated smoke from the building and checked on residents as needed, fire said. Water accumulation is being removed by the building maintenance crews. Total damages total $5,000, fire said.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Halifax, NS, Canada – Fire on 26th floor of high rise apartment building controlled by sprinkler system

Fire crews responded to reports of a fire at Fenwick Tower in Halifax on Wednesday. They were called at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday after a fire broke out on the 26th floor. Deputy Chief Roy Hollett says the building’s sprinkler system controlled the fire, and firefighters were able to put it out completely. Power was shut off to the building and there is water damage from the 26th floor and below. While the Canadian Red Cross was called in to prepare emergency shelter for residents, the city said late this afternoon that the decision had been made to allow tenants to remain in the building. Power is being restored one floor at a time, while building electricians make repairs.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Honolulu, HI – Fire in 37th floor high rise condo extinguished by sprinkler system

A fire at a new luxury tower condominium in Kakaako was extinguished today by an activated sprinkler, a Honolulu Fire Department spokesman said. Firefighters received a call at about 3:45 p.m. from a person on the 37th floor of Keauhou Place, 555 South St., about smoke coming from the floor above, said Honolulu Fire Capt. David Jenkins. Firefighters arrived to find a kitchen fire that was extinguished by an activated sprinkler. Jenkins said there was some water damage from the sprinkler, but it was “positively way better than structure fire damage.” A damage estimate and the cause of the fire were under investigation. The 43-story luxury tower with units priced from about $400,000 to $1.4 million opened to residents in late October.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Hamilton, ON, Canada – High rise apartment fire that started in garbage chute limited by sprinkler system

At 2:01 a.m., fire crews were called to a high rise apartment building at 43 Forest Ave. They found a fire on the second floor at Villa Marie III, in the building’s garbage chute. Fire officials say there was heavy smoke on the 17th and 18th floors.   There are no injuries, however, residents of the building were without power. The sprinkler system was activated during the fire, causing damage to the electric system in the apartment. Electra Utilities shut down power to the entire building, pending an inspection by the electrical safety authority.  Damage is estimated at $10,000.

College/University (on campus), Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential High Rise

New Brunswick, NJ – Sprinkler system successfully activates in Rutgers University residential high-rise fire; No injuries reported

Hundreds of residents were evacuated from The Yard @ College Ave this afternoon after a grease fire on the 12th floor set off the alarms and sprinkler systems — but according to students on the scene, there was a notable gap between the evacuations of the top and the bottom floors. “The sprinkler system activated, causing water to reach lower floors down to the lobby,” said University spokesperson Neal Buccino. “Residence Life representatives have been on (the) scene since the incident began.”

No injuries were reported, but according to Buccino, approximately 26 students were displaced as a result of flooding in their apartments. He said Residence Life has connected those students with temporary housing that will be available until they can return to their apartments. Laura Dengrove, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, said that some individuals were asked to provide a record of the possessions in their apartments as a provision in case of flooding-related damage.

“We didn’t really see anything because we’re on the fourth floor. Apparently there were flashing lights near the elevators but we didn’t get any alarm at all, even though the people above us did,” Dengrove said. “There are some people who have been out here for an hour — we just got out five minutes ago. When you look at the whole picture that probably isn’t great.”

The Sojourner Truth Apartments opened earlier this year and aside from drills, this was the first time that an emergency has forced students to evacuate the building. There are a total of 442 students currently living in the complex. Michael Collins, a School of Engineering senior, lives just two floors below where the kitchen fire took place. Unlike residents on the fourth floor, he said he was alerted to the emergency by a series of alarms.

“The first thing that happened around 3 p.m. was we got an alarm that was automated, saying ‘an emergency has been reported’ and to the best of my knowledge it’s the same alarm that happens when there’s a fire drill,” Collins said. “I was cooking when it happened so I figured I’ll just be quiet and stay in my room — it’s a drill, it happens. Then about 15-20 minutes ago we got an actual alert from a person on an intercom saying ‘all residents evacuate’ it sounded legit so we all left.”

After talking to some of the other displaced students, Collins said he began to realize that everyone appeared to have been evacuated at different times, through different means. “I did hear my friend got an actual person on the intercom first and apparently that was a lot earlier than in my apartment. She’s on the seventh floor. To me it seems very disorganized and I’m very confused as to what would happen if a bigger emergency actually did happen,” Collins said.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Houston, TX – Fire on 26th floor of high-rise apartment building controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A two-alarm high-rise apartment fire blocked Weslayan and West Alabama for nearly two hours Saturday evening. The fire was the result of a kitchen fire on the 26th floor of the 40-story building.  The problem was a faulty stove with what was described as a leaking gas valve, Houston Fire Department said. A sprinkler system in the apartment was activated and firefighters did the rest, including capping the leaking valve. Damage was reported to that unit, smoke damage next door, as well as that from water used to put out the fire.

According to the deputy fire chief on scene, apartments one floor above and beneath the unit where the fire was reported were evacuated. The rest of the building was not affected and was not alerted, but some residents were called by friends who saw the firetrucks surrounding the building. One woman walked down 31 flight of stairs with her dog and children in tow.  “A friend texted me and suggested I leave,” she said.

Another couple, with their 2-year-old son were returning from dinner when they saw the flashing lights. “We’re here because our house in Brays Heights flooded, and now this,” said Buck Baker. “It’s too much drama.” No injuries were reported and no high rise rescues were required.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Miami, FL – No injuries in high-rise apartment fire contained by sprinkler system

Fire rescue crews were called to a high rise apartment building fire in Northeast Miami-Dade.  The incident happened Saturday afternoon at the 7900 block of Northeast Bayshore Court.  According to officials, the building was evacuated after reports of a fire in the second floor storage room. The fire was contained to a small corner thanks to the buildings’ sprinkler system. The fire was eventually put out by fire rescue.  There wasn’t too much damage, but the sprinkler system damaged electrical wires. There was also significant water damage. No one was injured. Building management is now working to help residents who may have been displaced.

 

Residential, Residential High Rise

Philadelphia, PA – Sprinkler system extinguishes multiple arson fires at high rise apartment building

A series of small arson fires at a Center City residential high-rise building has prompted a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprit, authorities said Friday.

The fires were set at the Sterling Apartment Homes, at 1815 John F. Kennedy Blvd., between July 13 and Aug. 3, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reported. They were started in various places on the fifth through ninth floors, ATF said. No one was injured and the fires were quickly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system.

ATF and the building’s management company, Aimco, are contributing to the reward. Anyone with information can call the ATF at 888-ATF-FIRE or visit reportit.com.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Spring Valley, IL – No injuries in high-rise residential fire extinguished by sprinkler system

*** Please See Sprinkler Saves Blog Note to Editor Below ***   Sprinkler damage: Spring Valley high-rise residents displaced.  No one was hurt in a Sunday night fire at the Spring Valley high-rise, but 24 residents were displaced by heavy water damage from the sprinklers. At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Walt Marini commended the Spring Valley Fire Department and first-responders for the speedy response to a third-floor fire at 419 W. Erie St., which fortunately was equipped with a sprinkler system that put out a fire that’s still under investigation.  Spring Valley fire chief Todd Bogatitus said the American Red Cross assisted the 24 residents who had to vacate the building.

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To: Tom Collins

Good Afternoon,

I just read your article citing “Sprinkler Damage” in the high-rise apartment fire in your community. Of course, it is the fire that caused the damage, not the sprinkler. The sprinkler would not have activated if not for the fire. And, the fire, had it not been put out by the sprinkler, would have caused much more significant damage, and could have seriously injured or killed the residents.

While my thoughts and prayers go out to the displaced residents, I was so thankful to see that no one was hurt or killed. The automatic fire sprinkler system, and the quick response from the fire service, are to thank for that positive outcome. We have seen to many recent and tragic examples of fires in high rises that were not equipped with fire sprinkler systems (London/Grenfell Tower, Honolulu/Marco Polo Tower).

Please let me know if you would like to discuss this point of view further. Thanks for your consideration.