Category Archives: Residential

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Single fire sprinkler puts out apartment balcony fire; No injuries reported

A single fire sprinkler in an apartment balcony extinguished a fire on Tuesday, the McKinney Fire Department said.

The department received a call about smoke at The Avenues of Craig Ranch apartments on 8700 Stacy Road. When firefighters arrived, the flames had been extinguished by a single sprinkler on the balcony of one apartment, according to a department press release.

“Fire Investigators say it appears a vacuum was left plugged in on the balcony and shorted out,” the press release stated.

Nobody was home when the fire broke out, and nearby apartment residents were evacuated, the press release stated. There was limited damage, but no injuries.

To avoid electrical fires, the McKinney Fire Department in its press release recommended calling a qualified electrician or landlord if residents have frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, a tingling feeling when touching an electrical appliance or if they have discolored or warm wall outlets. Residents should also call an electrician or landlord if they notice a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance, flickering or dimming lights or sparks from an outlet.

Apartment Building, Residential

Sequim, WA – Fire sprinkler system keeps apartment fire contained

 Fire burned at an apartment complex in Sequim last night.

About 7 PM, Fire District Three was called to reports of a fire in a unit at the Elk Creek Apartments. A tenant said flames were spreading in one unit.

Most of the complex’s tenants had evacuated by the time fire crews arrived. Officials say everyone had been alerted to a fire by audible fire alarms. A sprinkler system activated and kept the fire isolated.

Two units were damaged by fire, smoke, and water. No one was injured.

The Red Cross was also notified and responded to assist the displaced tenants.

Apartment Building, Residential

James Island, SC – Kitchen apartment fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire that started in the kitchen of an apartment could’ve turned into something much worse without the help of a fire sprinkler.

The Charleston Fire Department said on Friday they received an automatic fire alarm activation from The Standard Apartments on James Island.

Firefighters saw an apartment with light smoke and a fire sprinkler spraying water. They entered the apartment and found an already extinguished fire near the stove.

“Multiple life safety strategies worked together to protect our residents and our first responders,” said Chief Fire Marshal Mike Julazadeh. “The fire sprinkler system activated to confine the fire, the fire alarm system provided automatic notification to the tenants and alerted 911, and the fire department arrived to contain and control the incident. There were no injuries and the building returned to use almost immediately.”

Investigators determined the stove was left on and the combustible material on the stove started the fire.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Glassboro, NJ – Fire sprinklers contain dorm fire after hoverboard catches fire

Rowan’s Emergency Medical Services and the Glassboro Fire Department responded to a reported fire at Holly Pointe Commons on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and transported one person for injuries due to the incident, according to Vernon Howery, the chief of Rowan University EMS.

According to Michael Kantner, the assistant vice president of public safety and office of emergency management, the fire occurred early in the morning around 1-2 a.m.

Vice President for University Relations Joe Cardona said the fire source was a hoverboard (self-balancing scooter). The Glassboro Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating the situation, as they do for every alarm; however, they wouldn’t comment on the definitive reason for the hoverboard’s fire. 

“[The hoverboard] is the crux of their investigation. They are looking at all avenues, and there haven’t been any determinations yet,” Kantner said.

Hoverboards are no stranger to fire departments around the United States. Since 2015, there have been many incidents involving their combustion. They are prohibited on school property by Rowan’s Housing Policy regarding engines. The United States International Trade Commission also prohibits them.

According to the Federal Register, in 2016 the International Trade Commission issued a ban on various hoverboard manufacturers due to patent claims made by Segway Inc. Many of the manufacturers listed are internationally based in countries that lack strict regulations on their products’ safety.

Purdue University’s school newspaper, The Exponent, documented a similar hoverboard fire on Sept. 14, 2020 inside one of their dorms Shreve Hall. Both Rowan and Purdue’s incidents occurred early in the morning. 

The sprinkler system in Holly Pointe caused water damage to the surrounding areas in the first floor B-pod. 

“Thank goodness for the sprinkler system, that fire was basically knocked down by the time the fire department showed up,” Kantner said. “They did sustain some water damage in the hallway of B-pod and in rooms adjacent to the incident location.” 

Currently there are no reports on the number of students and dorms affected by water damage. Rowan EMS reported only one individual requiring medical attention due to the fire, and their condition is unknown.

An update will be available at thewhitonline.com when and if appropriate.

Apartment Building, Residential

Auburn, WA – Fire sprinklers control apartment fire and limit damage

The streak began on Friday, Sept. 4, at 12:48 p.m., with a fire at the Gentry Walk Apartments, 12700 block of SE 312th St. in Auburn. Three adults, including one disabled female were displaced after a fire began in their apartment. The disabled female was not able to evacuate on her own and was carried out by firefighters. Fortunately, the building sprinkler system controlled this fire, limiting damage to approximately $5,000 in the affected unit.  An adjacent unit suffered a small amount of water damage. The cause is undetermined at this time.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Wake Forest, NC – Sprinkler system contains fire at retirement community; No injuries reported

Multiple people were forced to evacuate after a fire at a Wake Forest retirement community.

Town of Wake Forest officials say the fire broke out at The Lodge at Wake Forest located on 1151 S. Main St. Firefighters say it started in a unit on the ground floor just after 8 p.m. Thursday night.

Officials say the sprinkler system in the facility contained most of the fire before firefighters extinguished the rest.

Between six and nine units suffered smoke damage, officials say.

A resident who evacuated told CBS 17 that she heard the fire alarms go off, but didn’t think anything of it because of recent false alarms. She says when she went to check on her neighbor, she saw smoke and flames.

“She tried to push her button, we all wear buttons around here. She could raise anybody so I called 911…. the smoke had got down to maybe about hip level, the smoke was that far down and thick I couldn’t breathe, I was coughing. So I just came back in and shut the door and went outside,” said Sheila Brantley.

Officials say there were no serious injuries and nobody had to be taken to the hospital.

Apartment Building, Residential

Boise, ID – Sprinkler system puts out apartment fire after firework is lit inside apartment

One person was injured and a Boise apartment was damaged by people playing with fireworks early Friday morning, according to investigators.

Just after 1:30 a.m., officers responded to an apartment fire on the 1000 block to West Royal Boulevard to assist the Boise Fire Department with their investigation.  

When they arrived, a fire in a second floor apartment had already filled the building with smoke and forced residents to evacuate for about an hour.

According to a preliminary investigation, three men were playing a game when they lit a firework inside the apartment. That activated the sprinkler system which put out the fire before it could spread. However, the apartment did sustain fire and water damage.

Police say the men could face first-degree arson charges. The case has been forwarded to the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Boise Police and Boise Fire would like to remind the public of the dangers and criminal charges that can result from playing with or misusing fireworks.

Apartment Building, Residential

Grapevine, TX – (no media coverage) Fire sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire after air fryer catches fire

An Air Fryer caught fire in the kitchen, 2nd floor apartment (3 stories).  Sprinkler system activated and extinguished the fire.  Water/smoke/fire damage to the kitchen and living room area.  Also water damage to the 1st floor apartment.  There are 18 apartments in the building.  So 16 apartments saved.  The tenant was home at the time of the alarm.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Camden, NY – Fire at assisted living facility contained to one bedroom thanks to fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Thirty-three residents were displaced from Valehaven Community Residence, an assisted living facility, on Main Street after a fire and subsequent smoke and water damage — severely damaged the facility Friday night.

Camden Fire Department received a call for 128 Main St. at about 9:30 p.m.

On arrival, Camden Chief Brian Christmas said there was a working fire visible from a second-story bedroom of the three-story structure. Christmas said initial reports indicated that there were two people missing from the second floor, but they were later located and brought to safety.

Florence, McConnellsville, and Taberg volunteer fire companies responded with mutual aid at 9:38 p.m., with North Bay coming to the scene approximately four minutes later. Camden Ambulance remained on stand-by.

The chief said between 45-50 firefighters total battled the blaze through an interior attack, which took about 45 minutes before it was deemed under control.

“There was a sprinkler system that had activated, which really helped the firefighting efforts,” Christmas said.

State Emergency Medical Services and the county fire coordinator also assisted at the scene, the chief said.

No injuries were reported.

“There was a lot of water damage” as well as smoke damage throughout the building, Christmas said, which led to the displacement of the residents. “Fire damage was contained to the one bedroom, but there was quite a bit of damage there.”

Cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

The chief said the American Red Cross responded to assist and set up temporary cots for the displaced residents at a neighboring church in the village.

Apartment Building, Residential

Batesville, IN – Apartment kitchen fire put out by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

Batesville Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a fire at an apartment unit in Romweber Flats around 9:10 a.m. Sunday.

Firefighters arrived on the third-floor unit and observed smoke and fire coming from the kitchen area. The fire was contained to the kitchen area due to the activation of the sprinkler system and the immediate actions taken by firefighters. Crews performed search and rescue efforts while also evacuating tenants of the complex for precautionary reasons.

The fire appeared to have started on or near the kitchen stove. Multiple apartment units suffered water damage from the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.

Batesville Fire & Rescue reminds residents to keep things that can catch fire, such as paper or dish towels, at least three feet from the stove.

Mutual aid was received by Morris Volunteer Fire Department and Oldenburg Eagle Fire Company.