Category Archives: Retail

Retail, Shopping Mall

Calgary, AB, Canada – Sprinkler system helps protect mall from potentially devastating fire

Authorities say the sprinkler system in Calgary’s Chinook Centre helped save the mall from what could have been a devastating fire.

Fire crews were called to the shopping centre early Friday morning for reports of smoke seen coming from the building.

Officials say when they got there; they found the remnants of a small fire in a hallway between two stores. They say the fire suppression system knocked it down and prevented it from spreading any further.

Other - Retail, Other Business

Williamsburg, VA – Sprinkler system helps contain fire at laundry facility

Fire crews in James City County were dispatched to Kingsmill Laundry at 8525 Pocahontas Trail on Wednesday morning just before 5:00 a.m. Units arrived to find fire showing from the roof of the building . The building’s sprinkler system activated and helped the fire department contain the fire.

The fire was under control at 5:37 a.m. and completely extinguished at 6:00 a.m.  The building was unoccupied. No one was injured.

The extent of the fire involved the mechanical room, the boiler, and portions of the roof above that room. James City County Fire officials have determined the cause of the fire to be a mechanical failure within the boiler system.

Other - Retail, Retail

Columbia, SC – New Year’s Eve fire at Walmart extinguished by sprinkler system

A fire broke out early Wednesday night at the Walmart on Bush River Road.  Officials say upon arrival, Walmart’s sprinkler system units had extinguished the fire. 

Brick Lewis with the Columbia Fire Department says that at least six units including 3 ladder companies responded to the store. Lewis says that the responding units opened doors and windows to remove the smoke from the building.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Other - Retail, Retail

California, MD – Christmas day fire at Lowes store put out by sprinkler system

On Thursday, December 25, 2014, at approximately 12:45 p.m., firefighters from Bay District VFD, Hollywood VFD and the Naval District Patuxent River Fire Department were alerted to report of a commercial fire at 45075 Worth Avenue, in California.

Crews arrived on scene at Lowes Home Improvement to discover an audible fire alarm and heavy smoke inside the building. The firefighter’s made entry to the building and discovered the damage.

The accidental fire began in a trash container located in an aisle of the store. The fire extended to nearby foam sheets and plywood which resulted in the activation of the sprinkler system which quickly extinguished the fire.

There was no structural damage to the building and the damage was limited to approximately $10,000 worth of merchandise.  No injuries were reported. Maryland State Fire Marshall’s were called to the scene and continue to investigate.

Other - Retail, Retail

Richmond, VA – Christmas eve fire at clothing store extinguished by sprinkler system

Avenue, a women’s clothing store, was evacuated Wednesday afternoon after Henrico Fire crews responded to a fire inside the store located at 9077 Staples Mill Road.  Henrico Fire Battalion Chief Eugene Gerald said it appeared the fire started at about 1:04 p.m. in the “main part” of the store.  The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

“Inside the Avenue clothing store fire crews found a small fire that had been extinguished by the stores sprinkler system,” Henrico Fire spokesman Danny Rosenbaum said.”  No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

“The fire is currently under investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office,” Capt. Rosenbaum said.  Management at Avenue clothing store said they hoped to re-open the store on Friday.

Other - Retail, Retail

Fairbanks, AK – Sprinkler system douses overnight fire at popular outfitter/retailer

A fire that broke out in the basement of Prospector Outfitters early this morning forced the outdoor retailer at 1512 South Cushman St. to close.  The fire started in the building’s basement in the boiler room shortly after 1 a.m., according to Fairbanks Fire Department Assistant Chief Ernie Misewicz, setting off the sprinkler system, which doused the fire before crews arrived on scene.

Firefighters put out a minimal amount of smoldering inside the building’s walls and helped clean up some of the smoke and water damage from the sprinklers. Crews from Fort Wainwright, Steese and North Star Volunteer fire departments provided mutual aid to Fairbanks Fire Department.  Misewicz speculated the fire may have been caused by a boiler malfunction. He said the Prospector was closed Sunday morning while staff attempted to clean up the damage to reopen.

*** Note from Blog Editor — Smoke cannot activate an automatic fire sprinkler system, but rather only the substantial heat created early on in the growth stage of a potentially deadly fire. Only the sprinkler(s) closest to the fire will activate. ***

Retail, Shopping Mall

Escondido, CA – Sprinkler system holds fire in check at shopping mall

A fire at Westfield North County mall in Escondido delayed its opening Sunday morning during the pre-Christmas shopping rush. The fire started near the Brookstone store on the south side of the mall, according to the Escondido Fire Department.  The sprinkler system above the fire area was activated, which helped contain the blaze while fire crews extinguished the remaining burning material. The Brookstone store suffered fire damage, and adjoining businesses sustained some smoke damage.

Other - Retail, Retail

Yuma, AZ – Sprinklers contain fire at commercial building under renovation

A sprinkler system had mostly extinguished a fire in a commercial building in Yuma Wednesday night by the time firefighters arrived on scene.  Oily rags not disposed of properly are suspected of causing the fire. Yuma Fire Department spokesman Mike Erfert said that shortly after 10 p.m., a water flow alarm was received, indicating a fire sprinkler system had activated in a commercial building located at 475 W. 32nd St.

Erfert said arriving firefighters gained access to the building and found that a fire had been contained and mostly extinguished by an activated sprinkler head. Firefighters immediately began extinguishing some hot spots and ensured the fire was completely out.  A small display case and some wooden dividers sustained damage.  The building is being remodeled to open as a retail store. Lacquer finishing had been applied to wood panels during the work day. Oily rags not disposed of properly are suspected of causing the fire.

Simple Share Buttons