Category Archives: Retail

Department Store, Retail

Napa, CA – Sprinkler system activated for clothing fire at Kohl’s; No injuries reported

Firefighters were called to the Kohl’s in downtown Napa after a fire briefly flared inside the store late Wednesday afternoon, according to Napa Fire.

At 4:38 p.m., the city fire department was notified of a fire that broke out in a rack of clothes inside the men’s section of the store at 1116 First St., according to Capt. Erik Mortimore. Napa Fire units began arriving at Kohl’s within two minutes, and about 30 customers, alerted by smoke alarms, evacuated the building along with employees, he said.

Firefighters entering the store found a light haze of smoke inside, and learned that two sprinkler heads had activated above the clothing rack, which was extinguished within 10 minutes, according to Mortimore. Although fire hose lines were pulled into the building, no outside water was used on the fire, he said.

Fire crews entered to shut off the sprinklers and prevent further flooding, and the last remaining crews left the scene at 7:26 p.m., according to Mortimore.

“We got off pretty easy given what it could have been,” he said Wednesday night.

No injuries were reported to customers, staff or firefighters.

Napa Police officers went to the scene along with Napa Fire units, said Mortimore. The cause of the fire remained under investigation Wednesday night.

Kohl’s was expected to remain closed Thursday as work continues to clear water out of the building, according to Mortimore.

Other - Retail, Retail

Methuen, MA – Sprinkler system activated for late night fire at retail store; No injuries reported

A late-night fire Sunday ignited in a store at The Loop, fire officials said. 

An electrical fire occurred near a register at Olympia in the retail center located at 90 Pleasant Valley St. 

The fire triggered the store’s sprinkler system, which worked exactly as it’s supposed to, officials said.

“The sprinklers knocked down the majority of it,” said Fire Chief Timothy Sheehy of the blaze. 

No injuries were reported. 

There was smoke and water damage to Olympia, another store nearby, The Loft, as well as a vacant storefront which was last used as an area to administer COVID-19 vaccine. 

Firefighters responded at 10:55 p.m. and there for about two hours. 

Lawrence and Salem, N.H., firefighters responded to Methuen as mutual aid coverage. 

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Fulton, MO – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at business

A Fulton woman was arrested for arson in the first degree after a fire was allegedly intentionally set in the basement of the Moser’s off of North Business 54.  

Pamela Cordrey, 48, is an employee of the Moser’s and was working at the time of the fire. She was arrested and taken to the Callaway County Jail on no bond, the Fulton Police Department said. 

The Fulton Police Department alongside the Fulton Fire Department, Central Fire Department and Callaway EMS responded to the fire around 2:07 p.m.

In a press release, the Fulton Fire Department said upon arrival of the first engine company smoke was showing from the grocery store. Fire crews made entry into the structure and reported moderate smoke inside the structure.

When the fire crews entered the basement, there was an active fire with the fire sprinkler system activated. Fire was extinguished within minutes.

With the help of the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office, Fulton Police said it was determined that the fire was set intentionally and caused significant damage to the area.

The Fulton Fire Department said the structure received smoke and minor water damages and that the Estimated loss is unavailable at this time.

Fulton Police posted on Facebook around 2:55 p.m. Wednesday, announcing Moser’s would be closed until further notice. 

Anyone with any information should call the Fulton Police Department at 573-592-3100, Crime Stoppers at 573-592-2474 or your local law enforcement agency.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Johnson City, NY – Mall fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Fire crews responded to a small fire inside Oakdale Mall Wednesday morning.

The Johnson City Fire Marshall Bob Blakeslee told 12 News a small fire broke out inside one of the mall’s stores around 1:25 a.m. He said a sprinkler was tripped and was able to put out the fire safely.

There were no injuries in the incident, and the extent of the damage is unknown at this time.

Blakeslee could not confirm the impacted store.

12 News expects to learn more information throughout the morning.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Collierville, TN – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Target

Target in Collierville is temporarily closed for business after flames blazed inside the store Saturday.

The fire was reported just before 12:00 p.m. at Target on 325 New Byhalia Rd., according to the Collierville Fire Department.

When firemen arrived, they found heavy smoke and flames on a grocery aisle.

“Due to the location of the fire being in the back corner of the store, it took some endurance for our firefighters to quickly move back and forth from their engines to the fire. Two firefighters became overheated, were treated at the scene, and have now recovered,” said Paul Witt, Chief of Fire Prevention.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Officials said Target will remain closed as repairs and the investigation is underway.

There is currently no reopen date.

The Collierville Fire Department responded to a fire 6/12 at 11:54 AM at Target on 325 New Byhalia Rd in Collierville. Upon arrival, crews discovered heavy smoke and a fire on a grocery aisle which activated two sprinkler heads above the fire. Customers & employees exited safely.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Las Vegas, NV – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

On June 14 at about 4:36 pm Clark County Fire department says it received multiple calls of a fire inside Walmart located on Boulder Highway near Harmon Avenue.

A high-level response was dispatched consisting of 7 engines, 2 trucks, 2 rescues, and 2 battalion chiefs.

Prior to fire units arriving, CCFD says it was reported that a suspect was in custody. It was later clarified that the person had gotten away.

Fire command says they requested fire investigators respond upon being notified of this information.

CCFD says the store’s fire sprinkler system was activated preventing the spread of the fire.

Crews made entry and extinguished the fire and secured the sprinkler system, preventing further damage due to water.

A primary and secondary life search was conducted and found to be all clear.

There were no reported injuries.

This is still an active scene with crews still on-site, fire investigators have arrived and started their investigation.

Damages have not been estimated yet.

In all, 57 CCFD personnel responded.

This does appear to be related to other fires that have occurred at Walmarts throughout the city, but this is an ongoing investigation and a suspect has not been identified.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Hershey, PA – Fire at grocery store contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system stopped a fire from spreading inside a Giant Foods store in Derry Township Thursday morning.

According to Hershey Fire Chief Pat Leonard, the fire at the store on Cocoa Avenue appears to have started around 5 a.m. in machinery used to clean the floors, then spread to a compactor full of cardboard. However, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

A worker discovered the fire, and employees called 911. No injuries were reported.

The sprinkler system activated and “held the fire in check,” he said.

Smoke filled the store, but there was no structural damage, Leonard said. Giant expects “pretty significant cleanup” in the back of the store, he said.

The fire was reported before the store was scheduled to open at 6 a.m. It’s closed for cleanup, according to the Hershey Fire Department.

“We are very very fortunate we had plenty of manpower from Hershey, and our mutual aid companies supplemented it,” Leonard said. “It’s a good day when we all work together.”

Dry Cleaner, Retail

Alice, TX – Sprinkler system activated for fire at dry cleaners; No injuries reported

Alice firefighters and Alice police responded to a fire at a business near the intersection of San Diego and South Reynolds Tuesday night.

Firefighters responding to the fire alarm noticed smoke filling the downtown streets. They were able to located the fire inside the dry cleaning business.

Alice FIre Chief Patrick Thomas said the sprinkler system inside the business activated and kept the fire small until firefighters were able to access the business and extinguish the fire.

“The fire could’ve been worse for the business and for the downtown businesses in the area, but we’re thankful that the sprinkler system activated,” Thomas said. 

Firefighters have not found a cause to the fire, but do not believe it was intentional. 

“We’re thankful that in happened when the business was closed and no one was around, so no one got hurt,” Thomas said.

Other - Retail, Retail

Coralville, IA – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at business

An overnight fire caused an estimated $50,000 in damage to a Coralville business.

According to a news release, the Coralville Fire Department was called to Theisen’s, 100 Westcor Dr., around 3:40 a.m. Wednesday. The fire department credits the store’s sprinkler system for suppressing the fire before crews arrived.

The business sustained a small amount of fire damage, as well as light smoke and water damage.

Firefighters remained on scene until 6 a.m. to help with water removal so the business could open on time, the fire department said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but is believed to be accidental.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Litchfield, IL – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Walmart

Authorities are investigating the origin of a fire Monday evening, May 3, at Walmart in Litchfield that lead to the evacuation and temporary closure of the store.

According to Litchfield Fire Department Chief Joe Holomy, the Litchfield Police Department is working with fire and arson investigators who are reviewing video footage as part of investigation.  Anyone with information about the fire should contact the Litchfield Fire Department at 217-324-8171.

According to the chief, the Litchfield Fire Department was dispatched to Walmart at 7:32 p.m. Monday after a report of flames and smoke in the store.  Evacuation was underway when firefighters arrived to find smoke throughout the store.

Two employees were attempting to extinguish a fire in the rear of the building with fire extinguishers, and the store’s sprinkler system activated to aid in control of the blaze.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire and shut down the sprinkler system to control water damage.

The fire department requested a mutual aid ventilation fan, and the Raymond-Harvel Fire Department and Mt. Olive Fire Department arrived to assist with ventilation.

The scene was under control at 7:45 p.m., and two Walmart employees were evaluated for smoke inhalation but refused transport to the hospital.

Damage estimates are still being calculated, and the store will be closed for several days for clean-up.

The Litchfield Police Department, Hillsboro Area Ambulance, and Gillespie Fire Department also responded to the scene.