Category Archives: Other – Retail

Other - Retail, Retail

Hanford, CA – Arson fire at furniture store contained by sprinklers; Damage limited to few pieces of furniture

Police and fire officials are investigating after a Hanford furniture store was vandalized and set on fire early Thursday morning. The damage forced the Oak and Sofa Liquidators store at 295 N. Redington Street to close its doors for repairs.  Store owner Brandon Mason the total damage was not immediately clear, but he hopes to reopen the Hanford store as soon as possible. Mason said Oak and Sofa Liquidators has been notifying customers who have purchased furniture to pick up their orders at the store’s Visalia location.

“People want their stuff before Christmas, so we’ve got to get it to them,” Mason said. Around 2:55 a.m. Thursday, the Hanford Fire Department was called to a structure fire at the store, located in the 200 block of North Redington Street. The Hanford Police Department responded to a burglar alarm at the store at 2:52 a.m.  One of the windows at the northeast end of the building had a large hole through the holiday-themed paint job.  Battalion Chief Erik Brotemarkle said it appears that someone threw something flammable through the window. Brotemarkle said it appears the flammable substance started a fire inside, about 15 feet inside from the broken window.

Due to thick smoke, firefighters had to use a thermal imaging device to locate the fire. Brotemarkle said the building’s sprinkler system confined the fire to a few pieces of furniture. Other merchandise sustained water damage from the sprinklers. Brotemarkle said the fire was mostly extinguished by the time firefighters arrived. Firefighters used a ventilation fan to clear out the heavy smoke.  “The sprinkler system for this building did its job,” Brotemarkle said.

Mason said the sprinkler system was only activated in the area around the fire. A commercial cleaning and restoration company began cleaning other areas of the store Thursday morning. Fire investigator Capt. Frank Etulain said the fire appears to be the result of arson. Etulain said he could not disclose the exact cause due to the ongoing investigation, but evidence suggests something was likely thrown through the window from the outside. There were no signs that anyone had entered the store.  Etulain said firefighters were able to control the burning by moving items around under the sprinkler.  A total of 14 personnel responded to the fire. The Hanford Police Department, Kings County Sheriff’s Office and Kings County Fire Department assisted with the incident.  Hanford police Capt. Karl Anderson said police are aware of about a half-dozen incidents involving broken windows in the downtown area over the past few weeks. Those have included the Hanford Antique Emporium, Kings Christian Thrift Store and vacant storefronts in the 100 block of East Seventh Street and the 100 block of North Douty Street.  On Dec. 12, police responded to a burglary report at the International Church of God in the 500 block of East Seventh Street. Police said someone smashed a window and stole a computer and printer.

Other - Retail, Retail

Brevard, NC – Kitchen fire at spa successfully extinguished by sprinkler system

A fire at Elements Spa and Shop in Brevard is forcing it into a temporary relocation.  A small kitchen fire at Elements triggered the sprinkler system, which successfully extinguished the flames but caused water damage at its French Broad Place location.  Elements is temporarily returning to its original location in the Hollingsworth Building at 147 E. Main Street, Suite 101, terrace…

Other - Retail, Retail

Brookfield, WI – Fire in stuffed animal aisle of Toys R Us store put out with help from sprinkler system

A fire was reported late Friday night inside a Toys “R” Us store in Brookfield. Emergency crews were called to the business along Moorland Road around 10:30 p.m.  Witnesses said the fire started in the store’s stuffed animal aisle. Investigators are trying to figure out exactly what sparked the fire.

The sprinkler system came on right away and helped put out the fire. Employees and customers had to be evacuated during the incident.  No one was hurt.  It’s unclear whether the store will be open for business Saturday.

Other - Retail, Retail

Harrisonburg, VA – No injuries in fire contained by sprinkler system at downtown business

The fire in the old George’s soda shop along Market Street has been contained to the third floor. No injuries were reported. Market Street (Route 33) remains closed. Water Street was closed at its intersection with Federal Street in order for crews to use the fire hydrant at that intersection, which is the most powerful in the downtown area. A reported structure fire in downtown Harrisonburg has shut down East Market Street from Mason Street to Court Square, as well as multiple streets in the area. The fire is believed to be in the George’s soda shop building on the third floor, though contained by the sprinkler system. No injuries are reported.

Other - Retail, Retail

Bozeman, MT – Sprinkler system assists firefighters in suppressing fire at Dollar Tree store

A fire in the back storage room at the Dollar Tree in Bozeman early Tuesday morning has forced the store to close for several days. At 4:23 a.m., Bozeman firefighters were dispatched to the West Main Street business, where employees had been stocking shelves for the holidays. The sprinkler and alarm systems were triggered, said Deputy Fire Chief Trish Wolford, but no one was injured. Her investigation Tuesday said the cause of the fire was “undetermined,” but it was probably accidental, she said.

A steady stream of would-be customers on Wednesday were stopped at the front door by a small sign reading “closed today due to fire.” An employee inside said he had nothing to say to the Chronicle. Asked if the store would be open on Thursday, he said “No, it’s gonna be a couple of days.” The lights were on inside and water was pooled on the aisle floors; the windows were fogged from the humidity. The employee said he was waiting for restoration company employees to arrive.

Other - Retail, Retail, Uncategorized

El Segundo, CA – (No Media Coverage) Sprinklers hold fire in check at exotic fish store

***NO MEDIA COVERAGE – FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED*** On Monday, November 7th, El Segundo fire units responded to a water flow alarm at 1924 E. Maple Avenue. Upon arrival, suppression crews found a fire being held in check by an activated sprinkler. The business sells exotic fish and there was a fire in the area of an ultraviolet light filter. The fire was contained to the filter and adjoining sides of 2 polypropylene fish tanks. The fire was extinguished by a 1 3/4 inch hand line. There was no damage to the structure and light smoke damage in the area of the fire.

Other - Retail, Retail

Moncton, NB, Canada – Sprinklers activate to help stop fire at Salvation Army Thrift Store

Staff and customers — and even a goldfish — were evacuated from a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Moncton Saturday after a fire broke out in a backroom storage area.

Three large bins of clothing were on fire when Moncton firefighters arrived on scene at about 6:15 p.m., said platoon Chief Paul Bruens.

“The fire grew quickly and intensely and activated the building sprinkler system,” he said.

The fire was out with about 15 minutes, Bruens said. Most of the damage was from water and smoke.

“The thrift store quickly filled with smoke so it took a little while to safely ventilate the building to make sure occupants could return.”

There were no injuries, Bruens said. Firefighters went so far as to take a fish bowl from one of the offices.

“Everybody got out safely,” Bruens said. “Even the goldfish.”

Other - Retail, Retail

McKinney, TX – Electrical fire at Sherwin Williams paint store controlled by sprinkler system

McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to an incident Oct. 28 at Sherwin Williams, 310 N. Central Expressway, and discovered a fire sprinkler system had activated and was controlling an electrical fire in the rear of the store. Two sprinkler heads are credited for the minimal damage and reinforced the value of fire sprinkler systems. No injuries were reported from the fire.

“This successful sprinkler save demonstrates the effectiveness of an automatic fire sprinkler systems in a commercial environment. Had the sprinkler system not been present, the outcome could have been very different,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Andrew Barr.

Approximately 36 MFD personnel and investigators from the Fire Marshal’s office responded to the fire and mutual aid from Allen, Fairview and Frisco fire departments was requested. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

For additional information on fire protection systems, code requirements or other fire prevention topics, visit www.mckinneyfire.org or call 972-547-2879.

 

Other - Retail, Retail

Madison, WI – Overnight fire at retail store extinguished by sprinkler system

Other - Retail, Retail

Phoenix, AZ – Suspected arson fire at tattoo shop knocked down by sprinkler system

Wolfskin Ink tattoo shop is the victim of a suspected arsonist who allegedly threw some kind of accelerant at the front window causing a fire to break out.  

It happened early Wednesday morning.  

According to fire officials, there is surveillance video of a single person getting out of a car, lighting something and throwing it at the front window.  Luckily for the shop owner, the accelerant hit a metal grate and bounced off causing most of the fire to stay outside of the business.  

However, a table inside did catch fire but a sprinkler system was able to knock the flames out before firefighters arrived. 

Wolfskin Ink owner, Reynay Perkins, says she has no idea why someone would do this.

“We haven’t had any problems with anyone recently,” Perkins said. 

Perkins says the tattoo shop has operated near 17th Avenue and Bell Road for the past two years. The company was founded in her backyard with her husband Jubel and then it grew from there.  

The suspected arson comes at a rough time. Her husband was murdered near 18th and Adams streets in late August. Police are still searching for a suspect in the case.

As for the suspected arson, Wolfskin Ink did suffer mostly water damage, but Perkins says the shop could be up and running by early next week.  

“Everyday is another curve ball. Just gotta keep running with the punches,” Perkins said.