Category Archives: Retail

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.

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.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Fire in shopping mall food court extinguished by sprinkler system

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service is investigating the cause of a fire in the food court at City Place early Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to the City Place mall at 234 Donald Street just before 1:45 a.m.  An official with the fire department said the sprinkler system had extinguished the fire before crews arrived, but there was a lot of smoke that had to be removed from the area.

The food court is open.  Manchu Wok, where the fire appears to have occurred, has cracked glass and smoke damage.  There were no injuries.  There is no damage estimate at this time.

Department Store, Retail

San Diego, CA – Sprinklers activate to help firefighters stop blaze at Home Depot

A fire that started in a big rig full of Christmas decorations spread into a  Home Depot Wednesday night, forcing employees and shoppers to evacuate.

Employees at the Home Depot at 355 Marketplace Ave. in the Mountainview neighborhood called 911 at about 10:20 p.m. to report the fire. When firefighters arrived, the trailer was in flames in a loading dock and the fire had spread both inside and outside the warehouse, San Diego Fire Department Deputy Chief Steve Ricci said. Several propane tanks that were stored outside the warehouse exploded.

The first fire units called for additional help. They knocked down most of the flames in about 10 minutes. The fire caused the warehouse sprinkler system to go off and firefighters sprayed down the flames inside the warehouse, so there was both fire and water damage, Ricci said.

The Metro Arson Strike Team was trying to determine what started the trailer fire, Ricci said.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Marietta, OH – Sprinklers activate to help fight fire at supermarket bakery

An afternoon fire leaves the Giant Eagle in Marietta closed until further notice. According to the Marietta Fire Department, the oven in the bakery caught on fire shortly after 1:00 PM.

The employees say the oven had a sudden spike in temperature, so they shut it off. Then, there was a minor explosion. The sprinkler system was activated and the fire department arrived on scene.The store was evacuated and is closed until further notice to assess the damage.

Fortunately, there were no injuries.

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.