Category Archives: Residential

Apartment Building, Residential

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment building

At 11:36 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service received reports of fire at a two-storey apartment building in the 300 block of Ross Avenue.

When crews arrived on scene, they entered the structure and found smoke inside the building. When they located the fire, the sprinkler system was activated and had already knocked it down.

The building was evacuated because water from the sprinkler system caused damage to the structure. Firefighters helped some residents out of the building, while others self-evacuated.

The City of Winnipeg’s Emergency Social Services team was called to help approximately 44 displaced residents find temporary accommodations. A Winnipeg Transit bus was also deployed to provide shelter for residents.

Paramedics assessed one person at the scene and transported them to hospital in stable condition.

Damage estimates are not available at this time. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Charleston, SC – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire at apartment building; No injuries reported

Emergency personnel arrived 13 minutes after they were dispatched to the three-story apartment building.Crews searched the building and located a possible fire in a third-floor apartment.
Firefighters forced the door and discovered smoke in the unit and an extinguished kitchen fire. A rapid search of the unit discovered a dog in the apartment, which firefighters quickly brought to safety.
According to the CFD, the fire originated on the stovetop after combustible items stored on the stove surface were ignited. The fire was contained to the kitchen area by a single fire sprinkler.
Five units were affected by water from the incident. The CFD said they anticipate three adults will be displaced. No injuries were reported.
“We continue to experience a significant number of fire losses in the kitchen area. Residents need to stay in the kitchen when cooking, verify cooking devices are turned off before leaving the kitchen, and never store combustible items on top of the stove,” Julazadeh said.
Apartment Building, Residential

Daniel Island, SC – Sprinkler system contains late night apartment building fire; No injuries reported

The CFD received an automatic fire alarm at 11:40 p.m. from the three-story complex at 305 Seven Farms Drive. Emergency personnel were on the scene within five minutes of the dispatch, where they found smoke in the building’s hallway.
North Charleston and Mount Pleasant fire departments also responded.
Firefighters entered the building to investigate the source of the smoke. They soon identified a fire in a third-floor apartment. The building’s sprinkler system had already controlled the blaze to the room where it started.
The fire department conducted evacuations of the affected units, extinguished the remaining flames, checked for any fire spread, and controlled the water flow from the sprinklers. The CFD said the efficiency of the sprinkler system prevented the fire from causing extensive damage or spreading beyond the apartment of origin.
Although the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, initial suspicions point to an electrical issue within the apartment.
During the incident, 40 apartment units were evacuated to ensure the safety of the residents. The damage was largely confined to the apartment where the fire originated, with six additional units suffering water damage due to the sprinkler system.
No injuries were reported, and the affected tenants were able to return to their apartments once the situation was under control, except for those in the fire and water-damaged units.
The American Red Cross is assisting four displaced individuals, including three adults and one child. The remaining displaced tenants found accommodation with family or friends, minimizing the need for additional support.
“The fire sprinkler system contained the fire, reducing the life hazard, and preventing significant loss to the property until firefighters arrived to finish mitigating the incident,” Chief Fire Marshal Michael Julazadeh said.
The immediate response of the local fire departments and the effectiveness of the sprinkler system played a crucial role in managing the fire and preventing a more severe disaster, CFD said.
The Charleston Fire Department and the Fire Marshal’s Office continue to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage.
Apartment Building, Residential

Wilson, NC – Sprinkler system activated for cooking fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

One resident was displaced following a Friday afternoon cooking fire in the St. James Plaza apartment complex.

Deputy Chief Jim Campbell of Wilson Fire/Rescue Services said the apartment’s sprinkler system kept the fire contained to its room of origin.

“Crews arrived on scene to find an activated sprinkler head in an apartment that had extinguished a fire prior to our arrival,” Campbell said in a report. “Fire crews checked for fire extension and removed the smoke and water from the building.”

No firefighters or civilians were injured. Campbell said the fire displaced one resident.

Campbell estimated $5,000 in property damage and $1,000 in losses to contents from the fire.

Along with Wilson Fire/Rescue Services, the Wilson Police Department, Wilson County EMS and Wilson County Communications responded.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Cincinnati, OH – Sprinkler system activated for kitchen fire at high rise apartment building; No injuries reported

A small kitchen fire caused smoke and water damage to a high rise apartment building in Downtown Cincinnati Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to the building on Central Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh streets, at about 4 a.m. for a report of smoke on the 15th floor.

The fire department said the sprinkler system put out the fire. There was smoke and water damage to the apartment where the fire started. There was water damage to two other apartments.

No one was hurt. No word on a cause.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Amherst, MA – Sprinkler system activated for high-rise dorm fire at university; No injuries reported

On Sunday, Amherst fire crews were called to the Coolidge Dorm at UMass after a fire alarm activation.

Shortly after 11 p.m., smoke was seen on the 20th floor, where the building’s sprinkler system had activated.

Firefighters found moderate smoke and discovered a fire in a dorm room that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system. The fire, which started due to an unattended candle left on a desk, caused damage to the desk and surrounding items. While the flames were contained, the sprinkler system caused flooding on the 20th floor and several floors below.

The entire dormitory was evacuated for approximately three hours. Residents on floors one through 18 were allowed back inside by 2 a.m., while those on floors 19 to 22 had to wait until the sprinkler system was restored. By 4 a.m., all but the occupants of the affected room were permitted to return. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at eight-story building; No injuries reported

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze at an eight-story building in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood.

Just after 8 p.m., Portland Fire and Rescue stated via a post on X that they and Clackamas Fire were on the scene of the building, “with fire showing from the 5th and 6th floors” and that a second alarm was requested.

Joint Office of Homeless Services touts housing increase

After 20 minutes, PF&R made another post saying the fire was extinguished and that no injuries were reported.

A KOIN 6 News videographer was on the scene where black soot could be seen marking multiple balconies on the building’s upper level.

“This fire began on the on balcony of a 5th occupancy that extended up to the 6th and dropped fire embers to have active fire on the 3rd and 4th levels,” PF&R said in a subsequent post. “Hand held hose lines and the fire sprinkler system extinguished the flames.”

Officials said there were three people who were displaced because of water damage and other damage caused by the fire.

PF&R is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Charlotte, NC – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at retirement home; No injuries reported

CMPD arrested and charged a man with first degree arson after he deliberately set Barringer Gardens, a retirement home, on fire, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

A commercial fire alarm at Barringer Gardens alerted Charlotte Fire to the retirement home on August 20 at approximately 2:40 a.m.

Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters say they found smoke in the hallways and an activated sprinkler system and soon got the fire under control.

An investigation shows the fire was intentionally set and Johnny Mack was identified as a suspect.

Mack was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and malicious damage use of an explosive or incendiary device to occupied property.

There were no reported injuries. The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in damage.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A scooter caused an early morning fire in an apartment complex in Northwest Portland on Monday.

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene around 8:00 a.m. on the report of an explosion and an internal fire protection sprinkler was activated.

When Portland Fire and Rescue arrived, they said light smoke was coming from a window on the backside of the structure. After crews surveyed this inside of the complex, they discovered an electric scooter stored in a primary egress route that had caught fire.

Crews quickly put out the fire with a handheld water extinguisher. Officials say there were no injuries reported and no one was displaced.

The scooter used a lithium-ion battery that entered a state fire official label as a “Thermal Runaway.”

A thermal runaway is a phenomenon in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. Fire officials say it can result in extremely high temperatures, violent cell venting, smoke, and fire.

PF&R says a similar fire incident happened about three and a half months ago, and it can be prevented. Portland Fire & Rescue officials remind people that lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy and can pose a threat if not treated properly.

These batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones, and common household devices. According to officials, some of these batteries can be defective and can overheat, catch fire, or explode.

If using any devices powered by lithium-ion batteries:

  • Be sure any equipment has the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) mark.
  • Follow manufacturers’ instructions for charging and storage.
  • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
  • Keep batteries/devices stored at room temperature. Do not place it in direct sunlight.
  • Store batteries away from anything flammable.
  • Do not charge or store battery-operated devices or scooters in stairways/stairwells, exit pathways, or in front of exit doors. We recommend actively charging this equipment only while you are home.
  • If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, cracks, leaking, or odd noises coming from a device, discontinue use immediately. If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
  • Inspect all lithium-ion battery-powered equipment and chargers for frayed or cracked cords and replace if necessary.
Apartment Building, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Madison Fire Department said Saturday crews were dispatched to an apartment fire on Madison’s west side, only to find that the fire had already been extinguished by a sprinkler head in the unit.

The MFD said crews responded to a fire alarm report at Segoe Terrace Apartments, an 8-story building. While MFD units were on the way, several residents from the building called 911 and reported there was smoke visible on the 4th floor.

Upon arrival, the MFD said firefighters immediately checked the 4th floor and reported heat and water coming from inside one of the dwelling units. Engine 9 reported upon entry that not only had the resident evacuated the affected unit, and other residents had evacuated theirs, but the fire in the unit was already extinguished by a sprinkler head.

The MFD said fire damage was contained to only one unit. However, water from the sprinkler system seeped into several units and offices on the first, second, third, and fourth floors. The building’s property management and maintenance team, along with a property restoration company, responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the MFD said no damage estimate is available at this time. No injuries were reported.