Category Archives: Residential

Apartment Building, Residential

Jackson Hole, WY – Sprinkler system works, contains apartment fire to only kitchen

An early morning fire at the Smith’s Plaza was doused by an operational sprinkler system.

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS was called to a structure fire in the apartments above the Smiths Liquor Store this morning at 8:40am. By the time they arrived, crews found that a sprinkler had completely extinguished a grease fire from an unattended cooking pan. The pan’s grease flamed up to the overhead kitchen hood and was suppressed when the sprinkler head became hot enough to trigger water onto the fire and quickly put it out.

Fire crews placed a stopper in the sprinkler head to help control the water flow once it was determined the fire was completely out. By 2pm this afternoon, it was reported the water had been cleaned up and the sprinkler system put back into service. All 40 employees will be able to return to their rooms tonight.

Fire Marshal Kathy Clay put the event in perspective and emphasized the importance of a fully functional sprinkler system.

“One fire sprinkler put out a fire that could have burned the entire building down,” Clay noted. “This single fire sprinkler kept the fire spread from going into the attic space. Housing is a significant issue in this valley, and today we can celebrate that this life safety fire sprinkler system functioned when needed, saved lives, and saved property.”

Apartment Building, Residential

Jackson, MS – Sprinkler system activated for fire on 10th floor of apartment building

People gathered on the sidewalk to watch smoke and water come out of a window in a downtown Jackson building Monday afternoon.

Jackson Fire Department District Chief Shunta Wilder told the Clarion Ledger a “small fire,” contained to one apartment unit, broke out at 308 E. Pearl St. It is currently under investigation, she said.

Signs on the building advertise luxury apartment units for rent as well as office and retail space.

Jeremy Cosby said he was napping in his ninth-floor apartment unit when alarms started going off around 2:35 p.m.

Cosby said as he left his unit, he grabbed his wallet so he would have identification on hand. Everything else, including family heirlooms, he left behind.

He could see and smell smoke as he headed down the stairs.

Cosby and his roommate looked worried as they stood on the sidewalk across the street to watch the firefighters at work.

“We don’t know what is what inside. We got to wait and see,” he said.

Fire breaks out on 10th floor of downtown Jackson building

At least five firetrucks rushed on scene. A firefighter could be seen opening three windows on the 10th floor of the building, letting the smoke out.

Summer Land lives on 10th floor of the building. She said she was doing homework when the alarm started blaring. Not long after that, the sprinkler system kicked in.

Tenants were told to evacuate and not use the elevators, Land said. 

“It was very clear what we should do. It was loud, too,” she said. 

Subway restaurant employees, who work on the ground floor of the same building, were also evacuated, as water continued to trickle down from above. 

Apartment Building, Residential

Savannah, GA – Apartment cooking fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries

Savannah Fire Rescue cut water and power to two units at the Montgomery Landings Apartments Sunday night after a cooking fire activated the fire sprinkler system and caused extensive flooding Savannah Fire Rescue was dispatched to the Montgomery Landings Apartments at 714 W. 57th Street, and arrived on scene within five minutes at 9:13 p.m., spokeswoman Jenel Few said. A cooking fire activated the fire sprinkler system in second floor apartment 409.

The sprinklers extinguished the fire. Savannah Fire Rescue Firefighters shut off water and power in the affected units and removed excess water. No one was injured, but 11 people were displaced. The Red Cross was called to provide assistance, Few said.

Apartment Building, Residential

Ithaca, NY – Overnight fire at off-campus apartment held in check by sprinkler system

A busy night for the Ithaca Fire Department on Saturday night into Sunday. According to the Ithaca Fire Department, crews responded to both a fire on the city’s South Hill and a water rescue on Six Mile Creek. Firefighters were first called to College Circle Apartments around 11:30 p.m. after an air conditioner caught fire. The buildings sprinkler system kept things at bay until crews could fully extinguish the flames. No one was injured.

Apartment Building, Residential

Vancouver, BC, Canada – Sprinkler system assists firefighters in knocking down apartment fire

No one was hurt, but an apartment and three businesses have suffered some major damage after a fire Sunday morning near Abbott and Water Street in Gastown. A discarded cigarette lighter seems to have been what started it. Fire crews were called to the unit near Abbott and Water Street, when smoke was reported by neighbours. Dave Rosenlund, Assistant Chief with Vancouver Fire and Rescue says it took time to knock out the flames.

“Crews got there, the sprinkler system had been activated from the building, and combustibles from the suite were on fire at the time when crews entered the suite,” he says. There’s some structural damage to the apartment, as well as water damage to three businesses located below the suite. Rosenlund says it’s a reminder to be cautious if you smoke indoors. “When smoking in your room, just be careful of how you dispose of your matches or turn your lighter on and off,” he says.

Apartment Building, Residential

Wilmington, NC – Sprinkler system extinguished fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Wilmington Fire Department is responding to a fire at an apartment complex this morning.

Assistant Chief of Operations Tom Robinson said were dispatched to residential structure fire at 719 Indica Court, apt. 101 just before 7:00 a.m.

Robinson said crews arrived to find light smoke coming from front door. He said there was a fire on the stove due to cooking with extension to the over-stove microwave. He said the fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system. The fire was extinguished by 7:05 a.m.

There was no other damage to the apartment. Crews remain on scene to remove smoke from the apartment.

Robinson said there are no injuries to residents or fire personnel.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Winter Haven, FL – Fire at senior citizen apartment complex extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A kitchen fire led to major damage at a Winter Haven apartment complex for senior citizens.

Before 8 p.m. Monday, Winter Haven firefighters responded to an alarm call at E.C Towers, located at 500 Avenue L NW.

They said the fire was out when they arrived, but there was water damage to apartment units below where the initial fire took place. More than 200 residents were evacuated. They said about 50 units were damaged and those residents will be temporarily displaced. Red Cross is assisting. 

“The fire sprinkler system did exactly what is was designed to do,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Although there is some water damage to lower units, there is minimal damage overall.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire sprinkler systems can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 85 percent.

There were no reported injuries. It’s unclear when or if residents can return to their homes. 

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Vanderhoof, BC, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior care facility; No injuries reported

An early morning fire has forced the displacement of 36 seniors at a care facility in Vanderhoof.

Northern Health says the fire broke out just before 2 a.m. this (Monday) morning resulting in the need to move residents out of three sections of Stuart Nechako Manor.

Spokesperson Eryn Collins says no residents or staff were harmed during or as a result of the fire.

“The Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The facility sprinkler system was activated during the event and has caused some water damage to three sections of the facility, necessitating the transfer of clients and patients for their own comfort and convenience.”

She adds the 36 affected residents are currently being housed in St. John’s Hospital and Aspen House (an unaffected section of Stuart Nechako Manor) where they are being kept safe and comfortable while next steps are being arranged.

No word yet on what caused the fire or how severe the damage is.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Albany, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at senior living facility

The Albany Fire Department responded — twice — to a fire in a unit at the Brookdale Senior Living facility Saturday night.

Sandy Roberts of the Fire Department said firefighters were initially called to the facility, at 2445 Geary St. SE, by an automated alarm. However, staff at the facility thought it was a false alarm and called the department and told them to disregard the call, she said.

Staff eventually realized there was a fire and called the department again. The fire crews were called out for a structure fire at 10:36 p.m. Roberts said the building was equipped with sprinklers, which activated and extinguished the fire.

“It’s an excellent case showing why sprinkler systems are incredibly useful,” she said.

Roberts said the fire appears to have been started by a nightlight that fell onto a resident’s bed. The department is treating it as an accidental fire.

Albany fire personnel evaluated the resident in the unit that caught fire, but did not transport the resident to a hospital. The resident was not displaced by the fire, she said.

Roberts added that no fire personnel were injured by the fire, but a wing of the facility suffered extensive smoke and water damage.

She added that in cases of fire alarm activation, the safest option is to let firefighters come and make sure there is no fire.

“The best rule of thumb is to let us come when you have a fire alarm,” she said.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Chesapeake, VA – Fire at residential care facility extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and Norfolk Fire Departments responded to a fire at Indian River Residential Care Sunday. According to Chesapeake Fire, the fire started on the exterior of the residential care facility, which is located in the 1000 block of Justis Street. Crews were called to the scene at 12:03 p.m. Fire extension to the interior was quickly extinguished by the sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.