Category Archives: Grocery Store / Super Center

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Front Royal, VA – Fire suppression system activated for propane gas leak fire; No injuries reported

Warren County Fire and Rescue reported the response to the South Street Martins Grocery store yesterday afternoon for a reported fire alarm activation.

Authorities that arrived on scene identified a sprinkler head that was activated and water that was flowing into the building in a utilities control area on the second floor.

It was determined after an investigation that a propane gas leak occurred and ignited.

The fire was extinguished prior to the arrival of authorities by the buildings fire suppression system.

Units successfully secured water and electrical service to the area affected.

Both the Warren County Fire Marshal’s Office and Warren County Building Official’s Office conducted an assessment ensuring the safety of the building for continued occupancy.

After two hours the fire suppression system was functional and all hazards were isolated.

There were no injuries to report.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Harrisonburg, VA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

A properly functioning fire alarm and sprinkler system contained a serious fire at the Walmart in Harrisonburg early Monday morning, January 19, 2026.

According to a release, Harrisonburg firefighters were called to the Walmart on Burgess Road at approximately 4 AM with what was initially dispatched as an automatic fire alarm. The incident was upgraded by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Emergency Communications Center when they received a 9-1-1 call from the store reporting a fire in the warehouse area.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed the presence of a fire and an activated sprinkler system actively containing the fire. A second-alarm assignment was requested, bringing a total of approximately 40 firefighters to the scene. The fire was contained within 15 minutes and completely extinguished within 30 minutes. Personnel remained on location for an extended period of time clearing smoke from the 207,000-square-foot facility.

The cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental as a result of button-cell (or coin-cell) lithium-ion batteries that ignited inside combustible packaging within a heavy-duty wire framed storage unit.

“The presence of a properly functioning fire sprinkler system contained what could have otherwise been a catastrophic fire,” HFD Fire Chief Matthew Tobia said. “Lithium-Ion batteries, even properly stored, have the potential to fail, causing a fire. As we are seeing globally, these batteries are posing new challenges for firefighters in an ever-evolving technologically driven marketplace. Firefighters did an outstanding job of completing extinguishment, preventing further damage.”

The building was evacuated prior to the arrival of firefighters, and there were no injuries to employees, community members or responders. A damage estimate has not been set while clean-up and recovery efforts are underway. HFD was assisted at the scene by units from Rockingham County Fire Rescue, Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, Harrisonburg Police Department and the Merck facility (located in Elkton).

The majority of fire department personnel cleared the scene by 7:30 AM, and the last fire department unit left the scene at approximately 8:45 AM.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Woodstock, IL – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

A Walmart in Woodstock, Illinois, was closed after a fire inside the store on Wednesday night.

It happened just before 7:30 p.m. at the store located at 1275 Lake Avenue.

The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District said crews responded to reports of a fire inside the store. The store was being evacuated as they arrived.

Firefighters found the fire near the rear of the store, which had already been extinguished by the building’s automatic sprinkler system, fire officials said.

They remained on scene for more than two hours, monitoring conditions and assisting with smoke removal. The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District airboat assisted with ventilating smoke from the store.

No injuries were reported.

The store was closed for the remainder of the evening and remains closed as of Thursday for the New Year holiday.

The incident remains under investigation by the Woodstock Police Department.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Hillsdale, NJ – Fire at bakery contained by sprinkler system

A fire that broke out early Saturday morning in the bakery area of the Hillsdale ShopRite was quickly contained by the store’s sprinkler system, preventing what officials say could have been extensive damage.

According to a report from ex-chief Dan Schuster, the Hillsdale Fire Department received a 911 call at 1:37 a.m. from an employee reporting the fire. A Battalion 7 Box Alarm was transmitted, adding mutual aid from River Vale, Westwood, and Woodcliff Lake fire departments, along with a Hillsdale ambulance.

Hillsdale 27 Car 2 arrived shortly after dispatch and confirmed an active fire being held in check by the sprinkler system. The crew from 27 Engine 1 established a water supply and stretched a 2.5-inch line into the building. Firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze and confirmed no extension beyond the immediate contents and hood system.

Due to the size of the store, mutual aid companies assisted with a lengthy ventilation operation. Chief Farrell held command throughout. Fire crews were on scene for approximately 75 minutes.

The fire marshal is investigating the cause, which is not believed to be suspicious. The Bergen County Board of Health also responded.

According to Shuster: Units on scene: 27 Car 1, 27 Car 2, 27 Engine 1, 27 Truck. Mutual aid: River Vale FD, Westwood FD, Woodcliff Lake FD, Hillsdale Volunteer Ambulance Service

News of the quick stop prompted an outpouring of appreciation on social media.

“Thank you, and well done!” wrote councilman, and former mayor, John Ruocco.

Several commenters praised both firefighters and the employee who phoned in the alarm. “Great job fire department… and great job to the employee for saving the bakery,” wrote Edward Murtagh. “He’s a hero.”

Others echoed thanks: “Once again, great job! Thank you,” wrote Jojo Connellan. “Thanks again for your dedication boys! God bless,” added Joe Dargan.

“Great stop,” wrote Thomas Simpson, while others noted hearing the response in the early hours.

One commenter, with a bit of levity, quipped: “Fire sale on bread and muffins. They come pre-toasted.”

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Altoona, IA – Sprinkler system activated for arson related fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

Fire officials are investigating a fire at the Altoona Walmart store on Thursday night as suspicious, and court records show an arrest has been made in the case.

The Altoona Fire Department said it was dispatched to the Walmart at 3501 8th Street SW on a commercial fire around 9:08 p.m. When they arrived at the store, crews saw dense smoke and fire near the interior rear of the store, and the sprinkler system was on.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire quickly and make sure shoppers and staff at the store were evacuated. The AFD said the fire was contained to a localized area in the store, thanks to the sprinkler system.

Online court documents show Jack Cedeno, 41, has been charged with first-degree arson in the case. He was booked into the Polk County Jail at 12:06 a.m. Friday.

The criminal complaint states Cedeno started several fires inside the Walmart and witnesses saw him in the area of the fires. Cedeno allegedly told officers that “voices told him to start a fire in the bathroom.”

No injuries were reported from the incident.

Fire crews from Ankeny, Bondurant, Des Moines, Pleasant Hill, and Urbandale assisted the Altoona Fire Department.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Minneapolis, MN – Sprinkler system activated for fire at vegan butcher shop; No injuries reported

The Herbivorous Butcher is temporarily closed after a Tuesday night fire wrought damage on the building that houses Minneapolis’ vegan “meat” shop.

“We are heartbroken,” the proprietors wrote on social media Wednesday.

The shop is now closed, and sales on delivery platforms have been halted “until we can assess the damage and begin to rebuild,” they wrote.

Founded in 2014 by siblings Aubry Walch and Kale Walch, the Herbivorous Butcher began as a Minneapolis Farmers Market experiment and in 2016 turned into a hit brick-and-mortar store in northeast Minneapolis that ships nationwide. At the heart of their operation are housemade proteins that stand in for animal products, such as vegan Korean BBQ ribs, chorizo sausage and Brie cheese.

According to a release from the Minneapolis Fire Department, fire crews were dispatched to 507 1st Av. NE. at approximately 9:10 p.m and forced entry to find smoke on the first floor and a fire above the kitchen area, between the first and second floors. The sprinkler system extinguished most of the fire, but the crew had to cut a hole between the floors to put out remaining embers. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

“The fire department had to flood the space, and everything is now a mess,” the Herbivorous Butcher team wrote. “We’re still taking it all in — and figuring out what comes next.”

The Walches have set up a GoFundMe to help with cleanup, repair and restoring operations.

Fortunately, the equipment for making vegan cheese and for steaming and smoking the vegan meats seem to have survived unscathed, said Kale Walch, who was feeling “optimistic” the day after the fire.

“A small business is an interesting series of bumps along a rustic back road, and it’s just another change to the equation,” he said. “We survived a pandemic. We’ve done worse, and we’ll do it again. We can handle it.”

The duo also own J. Selby’s vegan restaurant in St. Paul. They’ll move some food production to that location, at 169 N. Victoria St.

“I’m gonna try to do as much as I can out of there,” Kale Walch said. “I’ll probably be doing even more.”

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Seattle, WA – Sprinkler system activated for rubbish fire in parking garage; No injuries reported

The QFC at Broadway and Pike in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood was evacuated Sunday morning after a fire broke out in the building’s garage.

Seattle Fire Department crews responded to the fire at the 1400 block of Broadway around 10:17 a.m.

Firefighters reportedly found a rubbish fire in the building’s parking garage. The fire was contained by the sprinkler system and firefighters.

 Seattle Fire said the fire did not extended beyond the parking garage, which is located under the building.

The businesses above the garage were evacuated, including the QFC. No injuries were reported.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Rosemont, IL – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at Target

Charges have been filed in an arson at a Target store in northwest suburban Rosemont.

Flames broke out just before noon this past Thursday at the Target at 7000 Mannheim Rd. next to the Allstate Arena.

Store employees tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived, and multiple sprinkler heads started up.

The Rosemont Public Safety Department and several local fire departments responded to the scene, and found the fire near the diaper aisle. Everyone in the building left, and no one had to be hospitalized.

However, the store sustained major damage due to smoke, fire, and water used to put out the fire. Smoke damage extended beyond the area of the fire to include most of the store, police said.

Merchandise worth $1.5 million was lost, police said.

Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 20 Arson investigators, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Rosemont police detectives launched an investigation right away. A suspect was quickly identified and tracked down in Elk Grove Village, police said.

Denny Ellis, 56, of Nevada, was charged on Saturday with aggravated arson. He made his first court appearance on Sunday, and was being held by the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

The Target remained closed as of Sunday due to damage inside and cleanup.

On Sept. 28, 2023, a fire was set inside the Target store at 1 S. State St. in the Loop. Sprinklers put out the fire at the downtown Target.

In that incident, Ronald Langley was charged with aggravated arson. According to court records, Langley was caught on video taking a can of WD-40 and lighting a blanket on fire on the second floor of the store.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Salmon Arm, BC, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at Walmart

Police are investigating after a fire ignited Sunday afternoon inside the Salmon Arm Walmart.

The fire prompted the store’s evacuation around 4 p.m. on Aug. 4. Two employees outside the store said the blaze had allegedly been started by individuals who’d been using the changing rooms in the clothing area.

“The flames were shooting to the roof,” said one of the employees.

The Salmon Arm Fire Department and RCMP responded.

Salmon Arm RCMP spokesperson Const. Andrew Hodges confirmed police are investigating the suspected arson.

Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley said the fire department received a report of a commercial structure fire just after 4 p.m. Firefighters from three fire halls were dispatched to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the fire involving hanging cloths had been mostly extinguished by staff and the sprinkler system,” said Shirley via email.

Shirley said damage from the fire was somewhat minor, though there was also smoke and water damage.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Vancouver, BC, Canada – Sprinkler system contains arson fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

The Walmart near the Vancouver-Burnaby border is closed until further notice after a suspicious fire.

Brad Hesse, assistant chief of operations for Vancouver Fire Rescue Services, said an emergency call came in around 10 a.m. Saturday.

He said it’s too early to confirm the fire was arson, but it was “strange” that videos from customers’ phones showed it appeared to spark on a sofa in the store’s furniture department.

Hesse said the store was quickly evacuated and there are no reports anyone was injured.

Firefighters had trouble pinpointing the source of the blaze because of the thick black smoke emanating from the furniture department.

He said the sprinkler system helped keep the fire contained to that section and that crews were able to fully douse it after about 45 minutes.

However, the store in the 3500-block of Grandview Highway has extensive smoke and water damage. Hesse said it’s likely a lot of the product in the store is compromised by the thick smoke that circulated during the fire.

Hesse said about 40 firefighters and nine fire trucks were called in to the second-alarm blaze.

Vancouver police are also investigating to determine the cause of the blaze.

“We urge anyone who witnessed anything unusual in the store around the time of the fire to contact investigators immediately,” said Const. Tania Visintin, in a news release on Sunday afternoon.

The company released a statement to media that said the fire was set deliberately.

“This appears to be a criminal act of arson that will unfortunately and unfairly impact our customers, associates and the local community who rely on the store,” Walmart said.

“Setting a fire in a public setting is shocking, dangerous, and shameful.”

The store will re-open as soon as the necessary clean-up and repairs are complete.

“We will do everything we can to ensure the arsonist is identified and held accountable, including assessing our legal options to seek compensation from the arsonist for the damages caused by this act,” reads the statement.

Damages are estimated to be in the millions.

Though Walmart has over a dozen outlets around Metro Vancouver, the Grandview location is the only one in the city proper.