Category Archives: Residential

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Syracuse, NY – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire in university dorms; No injuries reported

A trash can fire in Syracuse University’s Brewster Hall activated a sprinkler that flooded several rooms on Wednesday, the Syracuse Fire Department confirmed.

The SFD responded to the alarm a little before 2 p.m. The sprinkler extinguished the flames with “limited” fire damage, an SFD spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily Orange. There were no reported injuries.

At least two dorm rooms were affected by water damage, according to SFD reports.

“There was significant water damage but limited fire damage thanks to the sprinkler system doing its job,” the spokesperson wrote.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, an SFD spokesperson said.

SU’s Department of Public Safety had no immediate comment.

College/University (on campus), Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential, School / University

Holland, MI – Two separate fires contained by sprinkler systems; No injuries reported

Two fires broke out at Holland-area buildings within 48 hours of each other, and both were stopped by fire suppression systems before causing major damage, according to the Holland Fire Department.

The first fire was reported just before midnight on Feb. 8 at the Resthaven Farmstead, a senior living community in Holland. Crews were initially notified of a waterflow alarm, which was upgraded to a structure fire. Firefighters arrived to find that a bag of linens had caught fire in a kitchen storage area. The fire marshal’s investigation determined the cause was spontaneous combustion of products within the linens. The building’s sprinkler system had already extinguished the fire before crews arrived.

The second fire happened on the morning of Feb. 10 at the Hope College DeWitt Student and Cultural Center, located at 141 East 12th Street. At 7:02 a.m., Holland firefighters and police were dispatched following a waterflow alarm. Hope Campus Safety had been investigating the alarm and discovered smoke in the basement. When firefighters arrived at 7:08 a.m., they found that a fire had occurred in a basement office. The Holland Fire Marshal determined the fire likely started near a desktop light. Again, the building’s suppression system had done its job before firefighters got there.

No injuries were reported at either scene, and the Hope College fire had minimal impact on classes and normal building operations, the department said.

The Holland Fire Department credited proper maintenance of the sprinkler systems for the outcomes at both buildings and is urging all building owners with sprinkler systems and fire alarms to keep them maintained and functioning as designed.

The Holland Township Fire Department, Holland Police Department, and American Medical Response provided assistance at both fires.

Apartment Building, Residential

Franklin, TN – Sprinkler system activated for fire at multi-level parking structure; No injuries reported

The Franklin Fire Department put out a fire at a multi-level parking structure surrounded by a four-story apartment building.

On Friday night, crews with the Franklin Fire Department were called to the McEwen Northside Apartments at 4015 Aspen Grove Drive just before 11 p.m.

While crews were en route, 911 callers reported smoke and a vehicle on fire on the third level of the parking garage.

When crews arrived, firefighters found a 2015 Honda Odyssey van on fire. The building’s automatic sprinkler system activated and helped contain the fire preventing extension to other vehicles, the parking structure and the nearby apartment building, according to the Franklin Fire Department.

No injuries were reported and the parking structure and apartment building sustained no damage. Officials said the cause of the fire is undetermined.

Other - Residential, Residential

Crystal Lake, IL – Sprinkler system held fire in check at residential complex; No injuries reported

Fire officials are crediting fire alarms and sprinklers for preventing further damage or loss of life during a garage fire at a residential complex in Crystal Lake early Thursday morning.

Battalion Chief Brian Tamason of the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department said firefighters were called to a 6-unit complex on Ambassador Circle for an activated fire alarm at 1:17 a.m. Thursday.

Upon arrival, fire crews rapidly identified the activated fire alarm in building 406 and observed smoke showing from an east-side garage door.

Building 406 is a large two-story multifamily residence where units are side-by-side.

Battalion 3 established command and upgraded the response to a working fire while fire crews quickly located a small fire in a garage, Tamason said.

Fire crews noted the small fire was being held in check by an operating residential sprinkler system, which prevented further fire growth and extension.

Fire crews quickly extinguished the fire, Tamason said, reporting the fire was out at 1:36 a.m.

Smoke, fire, and water damage were isolated to the single two-car garage, Tamason said. The estimated loss to the property is $5,000.

No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported.

Tamason said all residential units at this location remain habitable and no residents were displaced because of the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Tamason said the fire serves as a powerful example of the life-saving importance of fire sprinkler systems.

Nationally, fire sprinklers are estimated to control or extinguish approximately 52,800 fires each year, he said, Tamason said.

In this incident, the fire was held in check by the building’s sprinkler system, resulting in minimal damage and no civilian injuries.

Because the fire was contained, Tamason said the resident was able to safely return home without being displaced.

Area fire departments, including Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, Cary Fire Protection District, Huntley Fire Protection District, McHenry Township Fire Protection District, Nunda Rural Fire Protection District, and Wauconda Fire District, were dispatched to the scene to assist.

Carpentersville Fire Department and the Woodstock Fire and Rescue Districts worked to handle change of quarters duties for the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department.

Apartment Building, Residential

Battle Creek, MI – Sprinkler system activated for apartment fire; No injuries reported

No injuries were reported in an apartment fire Wednesday, Jan. 28, in Battle Creek, according to a statement from the city.

The Battle Creek Fire Department was initially called for a fire alarm at 183 West St. at 11 a.m. The incident was upgraded to a structure fire when a second alarm was activated.

The BCFD’s Rescue 2 arrived within three minutes and made their way to the fifth floor, while Car 3 arrived on scene and established command. Once Rescue 2 reached the apartment unit and made entry, they discovered that the sprinkler system had activated and located a fire in the kitchen.

Rescue 2 quickly extinguished the fire, while Engine 1 assisted with advancing hose, Engine 3 brought fans up to ventilate the floor, and Rescue 6 took control of the water to the sprinkler system, according to the city.

Due to the quick action of the crews and the sprinkler system, the fire was contained to the kitchen area of the apartment unit, where it started. There was no fire damage to any other areas of the building.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Winston-Salem, NC – Sprinkler system contains high-rise trash chute fire

A fire broke out in a trash chute at a high-rise building located at 801 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. in Winston-Salem.

The blaze was effectively contained by a sprinkler head, preventing further spread.

Emergency Medical Services transported one patient from the scene.

Residents were instructed to shelter in place as smoke removal efforts are currently underway.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Watertown, NY – Sprinkler system activated for dryer fire at university dorm; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system is getting the credit for preventing a fire from causing severe damage and injuries at a St. Lawrence University dorm over the weekend.

Canton firefighters rushed to a third-floor laundry room at Whitman Hall late Sunday afternoon.

Officials said they found the remnants of a fire in a dryer. The sprinkler system had activated, keeping the flames from spreading.

“Had the sprinkler system not been in place, the fire would have gained a much more significant foothold, resulting in much more damage to the building and the potential for injuries to the residents. The benefits of fire sprinklers was realized today, even though there was some water damage. Everything will dry out, nothing unburns,” the fire department said on its Facebook page.

Officials said students were evacuated from the dorm. There were no injuries.

Firefighters checked rooms on all three floors of that wing of the dorm for water damage before turning over the building to SLU for cleanup.

SLU said approximately 20 students have been displaced by the damage.

“The affected area of the building remains secured while the University continues to assess smoke and water damage. Students who were living in the north wing have been temporarily relocated to alternate rooms or other accommodations within Whitman Hall,” said university spokesperson Kim Asch in a statement.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Charleston, SC – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

Officials said an apartment fire was extinguished by a single fire sprinkler before crews arrived Friday evening.

Crews with the Charleston Fire Department were called to the Element at Carolina Bay Apartments just before 7 p.m. after automatic sprinklers were activated, Deputy Chief Michael Julazadeh said.

Firefighters arrived to find an extinguished fire in one of the apartments in the three-story building. Julazadeh said the fire was suppressed by a single fire sprinkler head.

Investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office were called to review the incident. They said the fire started on a mattress in a bedroom of the unoccupied apartment. Remains of an electric blanket in the debris.

The cause remains under investigation. No injuries were reported at the scene.

Apartment Building, Residential

Caribou, ME – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

A fire was quickly put out in an apartment building in Caribou. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 12:22 a.m., the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department was dispatched to a fire alarm at Hilltop Apartments, located at 19 Marshall Avenue in Caribou. According to the Caribou Fire Department, while crews were responding, multiple 911 calls were received from tenants reporting smoke and fire in a hallway.

Initial crews arrived to find smoke conditions in one wing of the building and an activated sprinkler head. A partial evacuation was already underway, and firefighters immediately completed evacuation of the remaining residents. The fire was determined to be out prior to fire department arrival due to the sprinkler activation and the quick actions of a resident who used a fire extinguisher. The source of the fire was identified as a malfunctioned battery powered string lights device, located in a decorative item in the hallway.

A total of 36 residents were displaced from their apartments. The Caribou Fire Department says the area of origin sustained extensive water damage as a result of the sprinkler activation. RSU 39 provided a heated school bus for affected residents to remain warm during below-zero temperatures until fire department operations were completed.

The Caribou Fire Department says properly working smoke detectors and sprinkler systems played a critical role in preventing the fire from spreading beyond its area of origin.

Assistance was provided by the Caribou Police Department, the Caribou School Department and the Presque Isle Fire Department for providing station coverage during the incident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Harborcreek Township, PA – Apartment fire quickly stopped by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped stop a fire quickly this morning in Harborcreek Township. Fire crews responded around 9 a.m. to an apartment in the 1100 block of Arnerman Court.

The fire was contained to a bedroom thanks to the apartment’s sprinkler system. No one was hurt, but a few residents are displaced, and the Red Cross is helping.

The fire chief reminds everyone to take extra precautions during cold weather to help firefighters respond quickly and safely.

James Hawryliw Fire Chief and EMT at Fairfield Hose Company VFD stated, “Always make sure your fire hydrants are clear of snow, so that when we arrive, if we need to access that hydrant, and also have a plan for this cold of weather.”

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers