Category Archives: Retail

Retail, Shopping Mall

Brampton, ON, Canada – Shopping mall fire held in check by sprinkler system; Fire started in clothes dryer

Two burnt towels in a clothes dryer started a fire that forced the evacuation of a Brampton shopping mall on Thursday morning (Jan. 5), according to Brampton Fire and Emergency Services officials. A sprinkler kept the fire in check at Royal Crest Mall, at 50 Kennedy Rd. S., according to firefighters; but a significant amount of smoke was generated.  Firefighters were called at 10:20 a.m., with reports of smoke coming from the mall at Clarence Street.  Five trucks and a district chief initially responded, but the first alarm was quickly upgraded to a second alarm in response to the heavy smoke. Three more trucks and a platoon chief responded.  The mall was evacuated, and a Brampton Transit bus kept evacuees out of the cold. Tenants and shoppers were allowed to return after the smoke was cleared.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Fire in attic mechanical room at Target store contained by sprinkler system

A fire broke out in a furnace room at the South Lake Tahoe TJ Maxx store just before 7:00 p.m. Monday night, resulting in the store filling up with smoke and water.  South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue personnel responded, and found the store’s sprinkler system was able to keep the fire from spreading and it was contained to the one room.  The furnace was located above the store’s dressing rooms. With all of the water used to put out the fire, the ceiling collapsed and created quite a mess in that portion of the store.  “Much of the floor is very wet,” said SLTFR Battalion Chief Tim Spencer. “There was light smoke inside so there may be some smokey clothing.”

With the freezing temperatures in South Lake Tahoe, Spencer said they had concern about frozen water. As of 8:45 p.m., they are in clean-up mode and making sure the scene is safe. “We are ready to turn the store back to manager,” said Spencer. “It’s now up to the insurance and restoration companies.”  Firefighters from Lake Valley Fire also responded to the store which is located at the Y.

Other - Retail, Retail

Rockford, IL – Beauty supply store fire caused by unattended incense put out by sprinkler system

No one was injured this morning when a fire broke out inside a Rockford beauty supply store, a fire investigator said.

Rockford firefighters were called at 9:18 a.m. to the fire at State Beauty Supply, 4010 E. State St., according to the fire department.

Arson investigator Mike Schnaper said the fire began in the back of the shop. It was accidental, he said. Fire Division Chief Matt Knott said the fire was caused by incense left burning.

The fire was extinguished by the store’s sprinkler system and smoke and water damage is estimated at $10,000, according to the fire department.”

The damage was very well controlled by the sprinklers,” Schnaper said, but the shop isn’t usable at this time.

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.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Miami, FL – Sprinkler system helps prevent shopping mall fire from spreading

A sprinkler system played a role in containing a fire that took place Monday night at Ultra Mall in downtown Miami. The fire started at about 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of Southwest First Avenue.   Smoke was  coming from the storefront of Flossie’s — a store that sells items such as incense, oils, candles and books — when firefighters arrived.

Miami Department of Fire-Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll said a sprinkler system contained the fire to a small area and prevented it from spreading to neighboring businesses.  “A small fire was located inside of the store and was quickly extinguished,” he said.   No injuries were reported.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Retail, Shopping Mall

Phoenix, AZ – No injuries as sprinkler system knocks down fire at Guitar Center

The sprinkler system was the hero of the day after a fire broke out at a Guitar Center off of I-17 and Peoria Avenue overnight Wednesday. 

Phoenix fire officials said sprinklers put out most of the flames before crews arrived. 

The Guitar Center has water damage, but fire officials said had the sprinklers not been in place, the story could have gone much differently.

The Guitar Center doesn’t have a fire wall, meaning the flames could have easily spread to surrounding businesses in the strip mall.

Luckily, no one was injured. 

Detectives will now investigate what cased the fire to break out. 

Retail, Shopping Mall

Las Vegas, NV – Sprinklers assist firefighters in containing wood pallet fire at shopping mall

The smell of smoke may have alarmed some Boulevard Mall workers and shoppers early today. Turns out, it was a few wood pallets burning in one of the stores shortly before 9 a.m. Saturday, according to Clark County Assistant Fire Chief Larry Haydu. Ten units responded to the call at 8:57 a.m. and the first arriving engine found the small fire within three minutes and quickly extinguished it. Battalion 2 reported there was some smoke intrusion into approximately four stores and there was some water damage caused to the structure when the fire sprinkler system activated. There were no reported injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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.