Category Archives: Residential

Apartment Building, Residential

Peoria, IL – Sprinkler system prevents fire from spreading at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Peoria Fire Department said “multiple” people have been displaced after a trash fire in a hallway at New Hope Apartments in Downtown Peoria.

The fire department was called about 6:35 p.m. where a fire was on the fifth floor of the building at 301 NE Jefferson.

All residents were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries, said Battalion Chief Josh Maroney.

The chief also said the building’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading. The water damage, however, caused “multiple” residents to be displaced.

According to the chief, restoration work is underway, and residents will be able to return to their homes when repairs are done.

This is the second time in recent weeks that firefighters were called to put out a fire at New Hope. Investigators determined the fire that happened about 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 20 was intentionally set and caused an estimated $200,000.

Total damage of Tuesday evening’s fire is estimated at $60,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

Silver Spring, MD – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

A Monday night fire at the Turnberry Court Apartments in Leisure World was quickly contained thanks to the building’s sprinkler system, according to MCFRS chief spokesperson Pete Piringer.

The incident was initially dispatched around 9pm to the multi-story residential building on South Leisure World Boulevard. Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire on the second floor of the eight-story complex. Piringer reported at 10:42pm that the blaze had been contained by the residential sprinkler system, preventing it from spreading beyond the immediate area.

No injuries were reported at that time, though six adult residents from three apartments were displaced due to water damage created during the suppression effort. An update provided by Piringer at 11:38 p.m. revealed that the origin and cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, stemming from an unknown malfunction or failure of a cordless rechargeable vacuum.

One adult resident sustained minor burns while throwing a fire blanket over the flames and assisting in evacuating an elderly mother. Estimated damage from the incident is placed at $110,000, and a total of six people remain displaced across the three affected units.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Rockland, MA – Nursing home fire held in check by sprinkler system

All 102 residents of a nursing home and rehabilitation facility in Rockland, Massachusetts, will be evacuated after a Saturday afternoon fire.

Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey said the Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at 56 Webster St. will need to be closed for some time because of smoke and water damage.

Duffey said the fire was reported at 4 p.m. The complete evacuation of the building took about 40 minutes.

The first firefighters to arrive found the flames were being held in check by the automatic sprinkler system. Still, heavy smoke affected the third floor of the structure.

More than 20 people who were on the third floor were carried downstairs as part of the evacuation.

In addition to the Rockland Fire Department, the Brockton and Hanover Fire Departments confirmed they are providing resources to help with the situation. The firefighter union in Whitman also said it was assisting.

A rehab unit from the Department of Fire Services was also sent to support the firefighters.

Duffey said teams of ambulances were called in to assist with the evacuation and relocation of the residents.

Apartment Building, Residential

Myrtle Beach, SC – Kitchen fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

This incident is under control.
A small fire in the kitchen was extinguished by a sprinkler system.
The one involved unit sustained smoke and water damage.
There are no reported injuries.
Apartment Building, Residential

Moscow, ID – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at apartment complex

Fire crews responded to a second-floor apartment fire on North Main Street Monday night, where a lithium battery malfunction is now being identified as the cause, according to the Moscow Fire Department.

Firefighters were dispatched at 9:44 p.m. on November 24 to 436 North Main Street after reports of smoke and an activated sprinkler system inside an upstairs unit. The first engine arrived in under four minutes.

Although no smoke was visible from outside, crews found moderate smoke conditions throughout the apartment. Firefighters shut down the sprinkler system, cleared smoke from the building, and removed water affecting both the second-floor apartments and the commercial space below.

No one was home in the affected apartment at the time of the fire. According to the department, working smoke alarms alerted neighbors, and the building’s fire sprinkler system significantly reduced the extent of the damage.

An investigation determined the fire was caused by the thermal runaway of a portable lithium battery device.

Apartment Building, Residential

Richmond Heights, MO – Sprinkler system activated for single unit apartment fire

People in a Richmond Heights apartment complex were displaced Sunday following a small fire in a single unit.

The fire happened around 2:30 p.m. at The Arrive Brentwood complex, located along Eager Road just south of Interstate 64.

According to Richmond Heights Fire Department spokesman, the sprinkler system was activated in the building and firefighters quickly extinguished the small fire.

There was some smoke and water damage to approximately 30 units. The people in those units had to find housing with friends or go to hotels.

Apartment Building, Residential, Residential High Rise

Nashua, NH – Sprinkler system activated for fire at 8-story apartment building

At approximately 7:54 a.m. on November 23, 2025 Nashua Fire Rescue dispatch center  received the master box for 56 Tyler St. Engine 4 responded and was updated while in route of a  possible fire on the fourth floor. Engine 4 arrived on scene of an 8-story apartment building with  nothing showing from the exterior. Engine 4 reported a fire in the hallway of the 4th floor. The fire was held in check by two operating sprinkler heads. Engine 4 used the high-rise pack to tie  into the standpipe system to fully extinguish the fire.  

Crews conducted evacuations below the fire floor and displaced occupants were sheltered at 57 Tyler St. Emergency Management and Red Cross worked with the occupants to find  accommodations for those residents that were displaced.

There was water damage to 14 units and approximately 30 occupants were displaced. The structure sustained fire damage in the 4th floor hallway of the building.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Nashua Fire Marshall’s Office.  Mutual aid to the scene: None

Residential, Single Family Home

Highland Park, IL – House fire controlled by sprinkler system

Plumbers on site tried to extinguish a fire that broke out in the basement of a house in Highland Park before a sprinkler system controlled the fire and firefighters could respond.

The Highland Park Fire Department and Highland Park Police Department responded around 11:30 a.m. Monday to the 2000 block of Skyelar Court in Highland Park for a fire alarm activation.

A 911 caller then reported there was a fire in the home, according to Highland Park Fire Chief Joe Schrage.

The incident was upgraded to a Confirmed Fire response to bring in multiple area fire departments.

Firefighters entered the home and found fire in the basement of a two-story, single-family residence.

Schrage said residents and workers were in the home when the fire started and the workers tried to extinguish the fire.

A van belonging to Village Plumbing & Sewer Service Inc., based in Glenview, was parked outside the home.

The home is equipped with a sprinkler system and one of the sprinkler heads activated, further controlling the fire.

Firefighters pulled a hose line and fully extinguished the fire, Schrage said. Incoming assisting fire departments, besides the Glencoe Fire Department, were canceled.

The home remained habitable and the damage was contained to the basement, Schrage said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Highland Park Fire Department but is not considered suspicious in nature.

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!

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Birmingham, AL – Sprinkler system activated for fire at retirement home

Homewood Fire Department responded to a fire at Skyline Village Retirement Home Saturday night. Chief Broadhead with Homewood Fire Department said fire and smoke were found on the third floor. The retirement home’s sprinkler system activated, holding the flames in check until firefighters extinguish the blaze. Heavy smoke filled the third and fourth floors, complicating evacuation efforts. Because of the number of mobility-impaired residents, a full evacuation was not possible, and fire crews decided to shelter residents in place until conditions improved. Once safe, firefighters assisted residents down stairwells, which were flooded from the sprinkler system.

Chief Broadhead expressed pride in the department’s quick actions and thanked Vestavia Fire, Mountain Brook Fire, and RPS Ambulance for their support. “Our community is fortunate to have dedicated professionals who stand ready to protect and serve at any hour,” said Chief Broadhead.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers