Category Archives: Retail

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.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Riverhead, NY – Sprinkler activates to help control fire at Tanger Outlet Mall

A fire broke out at Tanger Outlets on Sunday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of a handful of stores at the crowded shopping mall.

Riverhead firefighters responded to the alarm at about 2:40 p.m. and quickly contained and stopped the fire in the back room of the Charlotte Russe store in Tanger 2.  The fire triggered the store’s sprinkler system.

The Riverhead fire marshal was called to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

Other - Retail, Retail

Costa Mesa, CA – Fire at Home Depot store held in check by sprinkler system

Costa Mesa firefighters doused a small blaze at a Home Depot store and a home on Thanksgiving.  The fire started around 9:30 a.m. when an extension cord malfunctioned at The Home Depot at 2300 Harbor Blvd., according to authorities.

When firefighters arrived, they saw smoke coming from the store’s garden center and forced their way in. A crew of about 17 quickly extinguished the flames, which had been held in check by a sprinkler system, according to the Fire Department. The fire caused about $1,000 in damage.

Other - Retail, Retail

Fort Collins, CO – Sprinkler helps save coffee shop from further fire damage

Sprinkler quells fire at Mugs Coffee Lounge:

Mugs Coffee Lounge, 261 S. College Ave., is open after a fire in the basement was extinguished Tuesday morning.  The cause of the fire that destroyed a fake plant, caused light smoke damage and activated Mugs’ fire sprinkler system around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday is still under investigation. The cost of damage is estimated at $1,000, according to Poudre Fire Authority spokesman Patrick Love.

“One fire sprinkler saved a huge amount of potential damage,” Love said. “This particular incident could have had extremely devastating effects not only on this building, but there are also numerous businesses nearby.”

Other - Retail, Retail

Richlands, NC – Fire at lawn and garden center contained by sprinklers

Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a Richlands business early this morning. A trash truck driver noticed smoke coming from the Great Outdoors Lawn and Garden Center on East Franck Street just before 6:00 a.m. Onslow County EMS Director Norm Bryson says fortunately the sprinkler system activated and kept the actual fire contained to the office and bathroom area.