Category Archives: Residential

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Langhorne, PA – Kitchen fire at four-story senior living building held in check thanks to sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system helped contain a Monday afternoon fire at a retirement community.

Firefighters were called to the Attleboro Village community off Winchester Avenue on the Langhorne Borough and Middletown Township border at 1:27 p.m. for an alarm. It was quickly determined that there was an active fire.

The fire was in an apartment and spread up the wall into the ceiling, said Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company Chief Frank Farry.

The four-story senior living building was cleared of residents and crews had to account for everyone, Farry said.

The Penndel-Middletown Rescue Squad and Capital Health Emergency Medical Services evaluated the residents. No injuries were reported.

The fire was declared under control by 1:43 p.m., but Farry said it was largely held in check by the sprinkler system.

Several nearby apartments suffered water damage from the sprinkler system, Farry said.

The chief said the blaze was caused by the resident who turned on the stove with a plastic toaster on it.

The fire happened around the same time as strong storms came through the area. Farry said the worst of the storm had passed by the building was cleared of residents.

Farry said fire crews were able to response so fast to the retirement community because they were returning from an unfounded downed wires call by Maple Point Middle School.

The Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company was assisted at the scene by the Middletown Township Department of Fire and Emergency Management, Parkland Fire Company, Penndel Fire Company, Newtown Fire and Emergency Services, and the William Penn Fire Company.

Residential, Single Family Home

Big Springs, CO – Residential explosion suppressed by sprinkler system

On Friday, July 3, 2020, at 7 p.m., there was a small explosion within a residence in the 200 block of Alpine Drive. Specific cause of the explosion is unknown. The fire was suppressed by the sprinkler system of the home. One party was transported to the hospital with burns. Nederland is working with multiple agencies to secure a search warrant to complete a further investigation. At this time, the situation is stabilized and there is no immediate threat to the area. We will provide additional information as it comes available.

On Sunday, July 5, 2020, the Nederland Fire Department released an evening update. “The investigation and safety operations will be continuing tomorrow on the 200 block of Alpine Drive”.

On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Nederland Fire Department will see another full day of investigation, medical standby and fire suppression on the 200 block of Alpine Drive. Nederland Fire is supporting the various agencies involved by ensuring crew safety and support to operations. Firefighters have indicated that between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. there will be a controlled detention at the home on Alpine Drive. Neighboring homes have been notified if they need to evacuate. If you have not been notified, there is no need to evacuate but we strongly encourage that you remain in your homes during this time.

At 4:15 p.m. a new reverse 911 went out to the public stating that the detonations would continue throughout the night and into tomorrow. During this time the bomb squad is detonating small amounts of materials that are unstable and cannot be removed from the property. The Nederland Fire Department remains on scene to watch for fire and keep the area safe during the ongoing operation.

The Mountain-Ear will continue to share information about this story as it is made available to us.

Apartment Building, Residential

Johnston, IA – Sprinkler system contain apartment garage fire after fireworks discarded improperly; No injuries reported

The Johnston-Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department has now determined the cause of an apartment fire last Sunday to be improperly discarded fireworks.

Just after 3:00 a.m. on July 5, JGMFD units responded to a fire alarm call at the Providence Point Apartments in Johnston.  The fire, which was contained by two sprinkler heads, was coming from the dumpster in one of the attached garages.

The crews took the dumpster out of the garage and finished putting out the fire from there.

Upon further investigation, they found the fire had been caused by fireworks that were thrown away in the dumpster.  No residents were displaced or hurt in the event of the fire.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Chapel Hill, NC – Kitchen fire at senior living facility controlled by fire sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A structure fire damaged a Chapel Hill senior living facility Tuesday night and displaced several residents.

According to a release from the town, the Chapel Hill Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at The Cedars of Chapel Hill at 6:03 p.m. When fire personnel arrived on the scene, 513 Cedar Berry Lane, they confirmed a working fire on the building’s first floor.

The fire, which originated in the kitchen of one of the residential units, was under control as of 6:23 p.m. The town said it caused damage to three additional units beyond the originating one, with eight total residents displaced. The residents of the unit where the fire originated were treated on the scene and did not need to be transported for additional treatment, according to Tuesday’s release. No other injuries were reported.

A sprinkler system in the senior living facility reportedly kicked into action with the start of the fire. While the sprinklers did not extinguish the fire, according to the town’s release, officials believed it gave residents time to safely evacuate.

Chapel Hill said the personnel response to The Cedars consisted of 23 Chapel Hill firefighters, including four engines. One Durham fire engine with three firefighters also responded as automatic aid.

The town’s release said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it also gave advice on safety practices while in the kitchen. Chapel Hill Fire officials say it’s important to never leave stoves unattended and to keep flammable items away from stove units.

Staff for The Cedars will work with the displaced residents to find alternate living arrangements, according to Tuesday’s release.

Residential, Single Family Home

Nolensville, TN – Residential sprinkler system stops kitchen fire from spreading

A sprinkler system saved a Nolensville home from potentially significant fire damage.

The Nolensville Volunteer Fire Department, Arrington Fire & Rescue and Williamson Fire-Rescue Station 18 were dispatched to the 4900 block of Maxwell Landing Drive for a reported residential structure fire.

An engine arrived on the scene within four minutes of dispatch to find a kitchen fire that had been extinguished by the residential fire sprinkler system, according to the Nolensville Volunteer Fire Department. Crews remained on scene from approximately 30 minutes to check for extension, ventilating the home and assisting the homeowner in removing water released by the sprinkler to reduce potential water damage.

Apartment Building, Residential

Loudoun, VA – Apartment kitchen fire controlled by fire sprinkler system

Damage from a Sunday night kitchen fire in a Sterling apartment was limited by an automatic sprinkler system, according to Loudoun County Fire-Rescue.

The fire occurred just after 9 p.m. June 28 at a second-floor Ridgehaven Terrace residence in the Cascades Overlook neighborhood. Emergency units from Cascades,Sterling Park, Kincora, Ashburn, and Fairfax County were called to the scene.

The fire was extinguished before crews arrived. Two apartment units were damaged by water from the sprinkler system and a total of six residents from the two residences were displaced. 

The fire was determined to accidental and a result of unattended food on the stove.

According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the incident illustrates both the dangers of unattended cooking—a frequent cause of house fires—as well as the importance of lifesaving sprinkler systems.

“It’s important to educate the public about how automatic fire sprinklers help to contain and prevent fires from becoming more significant emergencies,” stated Fire Chief Keith Johnson. “Fire sprinklers save lives, including those of first responders, and greatly reduce the physical, emotional and financial damages that fires bring to a community.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Jasper County, SC – Apartment kitchen fire on third-floor extinguished by fire sprinklers

Jasper County Fire Rescue is reminding the public of the benefits of having a sprinkler system after a sprinkler extinguished an apartment fire.

Fire officials say at 8 p.m. on June 16, crews were dispatched to the Brook Mill Apartments for a structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found a kitchen fire in a third floor apartment had been extinguished by the sprinkler system.

JCFR says the sprinkler put out the fire before it spread to the entire apartment.

Automatic fire sprinklers reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 80%, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. To learn more about sprinklers, click here.

Apartment Building, Residential

Columbia, SC – Sprinkler system stops fifth-floor apartment kitchen fire; No injuries reported

A representative of the Housing Authority in Columbia reported water damage resulting from a fire in a fifth floor unit at a senior apartment building caused the evacuation of residents early Saturday evening.

Cynthia Hardy said a small kitchen fire occurred in a resident’s apartment at Arrington Manor, at the corner of College and Oak streets near Five Points, around 7 p.m. June 27, 2020. 

“Damage from the fire at the independent senior living facility was minimal, but the building sustained a lot of water damage,” Hardy said. “For safety precautions, fire department officials suggested shutting the building down, turning off the power, and relocating the residents while they restore the building.”

No injuries were reported and all 57 residents were relocated to area hotels and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

Columbia Housing CEO Ivory Mathews said, “when the sprinkler system in a residential building of that size is triggered, there are restoration and inspection steps performed by third party entities that must occur before re-occupancy is granted. Third party includes water damage restoration contractor, electrician, sprinkler system contractor, Dominion Energy and the Columbia Fire Dept. We anticipate the restoration and inspections work to be completed within 3 days.”

According to Housing Authority’s property directory, Arrington Manor was last renovated in August 1979 and opened for occupancy in 1981. The six-story apartment building features 14 efficiency apartments, 29 one-bedroom apartments and 13 two-bedroom apartments.

Apartment Building, Residential

Airdrie, Alberta, CA – Exterior residential fire sprinkler held deck fire in check at apartment complex

The Airdrie Fire Department (AFD) responded to reports of an activated fire alarm in a Mackenzie Way apartment complex the morning of June 26.

According to an AFD press release, the department was called around 9:15 a.m. to the scene of the fire at a multi-storey residential complex located in the 100 block of Mackenzie Way SW.

“Upon arrival, fire crews found a partial evacuation had taken place and those residents and their pets had safely gathered in the building’s parking lot,” the release stated.

Upon entering the apartment building, firefighters discovered a small fire was burning on an exterior deck of the apartment complex. The fire was being held in check by the residential fire sprinkler system.

Firefighters extinguished what remained of the fire and proceeded to check apartments above, below and adjacent to ensure they had not been damaged.

“Due to the timely activation of the exterior fire sprinkler system, damage was limited to the exterior deck of the apartment of origin,” the release stated.

The cause of the fire was determined to be the ignition of combustible materials that were stored close to a barbecue. Damages are estimated to be $2000.

“The AFD reminds the public to remain safe and attentive when using a barbecue,” the release stated. “Ensure that the barbecue is located in a well-ventilated area and a safe distance from combustible materials, windows and doors. Never leave a lit grill unattended. Barbecues should be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Kent, WA – Apartment sprinkler system extinguishes third-floor fire; No injuries reported

Puget Sound Fire extinguished two separate apartment fires on June 24 in Kent.

At about 12:34 p.m., firefighters responded to the 400 block of Novak Lane for a fire at the Alderbrook Apartments, according to an email from Puget Sound Fire spokesman Capt. Joe Root. Firefighters saw smoke from the window of a third-floor apartment.

A sprinkler system put out the kitchen fire and the occupants evacuated with no injuries.