Apartment Building, Residential

Nashua, NH – Sprinkler system activated, kept apartment fire from spreading

Nashua fire and rescue teams were sent to an apartment building on West Pearl Street on Sunday for a fire.

Around 3:45 a.m., an alarm activation was reported at 123 West Pearl St., a 42-unit apartment building. Firefighters, according to Deputy Chief William Atkinson, saw smoke coming from the second floor of the building and requested an additional engine and ladder to the building.

“Due the aggressive interior work of our members, the fire was contained to a mattress in the apartment,” he said. “Two sprinkler heads activated keeping the fire from spreading.”

Atkinson said there was “significant water damage to the first floor store and basement display area.” He added, “Our members performed salvage operations to cover and protect the contents in the store.”

The fire marshal’s office posted more information on Facebook.

Smoke detectors, Atkinson said, alerted occupants to the fire.

The fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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.

Apartment Building, Residential

San Pablo, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fireworks fire at apartment complex

A balcony fire at an apartment complex in San Pablo on Tuesday is suspected to have been caused by a teenager using illegal fireworks, fire officials said Thursday.

Arson investigators arrested the 16-year-old boy on Tuesday on suspicion of setting fire to an inhabited structure and possession of dangerous fireworks, spokesman Steve Hill of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District said.

Fire investigators determined that a 5-inch mortar firework caused the blaze, Hill said.

Authorities did not identify the 16-year-old because he’s a minor. They released him into the custody of his parents.

The fire happened on the balcony of a unit in the 15000 block of Crestwood Drive. Hill said people who reported the blaze on the deck also reported hearing an explosion. Crews kept the blaze from spreading to the inside and were helped by a fire sprinkler at the apartment.

The unit suffered extensive smoke and water damage, Hill said.

Investigators said the mortar was set off on the second-story balcony and they identified the suspect as the resident of the apartment unit, Hill said. They also found more of the same kind of fireworks in the unit. Crews removed those, he said.

The case will be prosecuted through the juvenile courts, and Hill said the the district will refer him to the Youth Fire Setter Program.

All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County, including safe-and-sane ones such as sparklers.

Apartment Building, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system prevents apartment fire from spreading

Two families were displaced from their westside apartments Tuesday night after a fire broke out in one of the units.

Madison fire officials said they responded to the 7900 block of Tree Lane around 10:15 p.m. for a water flow alarm. When crews arrived at the apartment complex, they found the fire alarm ringing and residents evacuating the 45-unit building.

Firefighters entered the building and made their way to the second floor where they found light smoke coming from one of the apartments, but they did not detect any heat or fire. Crews then discovered a sprinkler had activated in one of the bedrooms.

More firefighters were called in to help with ventilating the building and shut down the sprinklers, which were credited with stopping the fire from spreading to other units.

Two families, which included three adults and five children, were displaced by the fire. The Red Cross is providing temporary lodging, meals and other essential items while they’re displaced.

Damage to the two impacted apartments is estimated at $25,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fitchburg, WI – Sprinkler system credited with saving lives for kitchen fire at apartment building

A sprinkler system at a Fitchburg apartment building is being credited for saving lives and more than $1 million in property losses after a fire started early Saturday on a kitchen stove, the Fitchburg Fire Department said.

A water overflow alarm at 12:26 a.m. at an apartment on Halite Way initiated the Fire Department’s response. In the meantime, a fire was reported in the building.

Crews found smoke and water coming from one of the five apartments in the building, and smoke detectors were sounding. The building’s fire alarm and sprinkler system were also activated. The fire was controlled by a single sprinkler head but had extended to the range hood and some of the kitchen cabinets.

The resident told firefighters about starting to warm a pan of oil on the stove and then falling asleep in a nearby chair. The resident was awakened by the alarms and evacuated safely, along with two dogs. No injuries were reported.

The resident and the dogs were displaced, but occupants of the other four units were able to stay in their apartments.

The fire caused $10,000 to $20,000 damage, but the Fire Department said the sprinkler system saved up to $1.2 million in property and contents.

Uncategorized

Reno, NV – Fire caused by vape pen extinguished by sprinkler system

A sprinkler system stopped a vaping pen fire Wednesday before it could have gotten worse, the Reno Fire Department said Thursday.

Firefighters went to a fire at 4055 Gardella Ave. in northeast Reno about 6:48 p.m.

The fire did not spread beyond a bed after a fire sprinkler system put it out, preventing its spread.

An investigation showed that a lithium-ion battery failed and triggered a vape pen explosion, igniting the bed.

The department cited federal statistics that said there were 195 vape pen fires between 2009 and 2016.

The Reno Fire Department offers these tips to avoid vape pen explosions:

  • Consider using vape devices with safety features such as firing button locks, vent holes, and protection against overcharging.
  • Always use the charger that came with the device. Do not use tablet or phone chargers.
  • Do not charge your vape device overnight or leave it charging unattended.
  • Replace the batteries if they get wet or damaged.
  • Make sure you read and understand the manufacturer’s recommendations for use and care of your device.
  • Charge your vape on a clean, flat surface, away from anything that can easily catch fire.
  • Protect your vape from extreme temperatures by not leaving it in direct sunlight or in your car on a freezing cold night.
Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Norfolk, NE – Sprinkler system activated for warehouse fire; No injuries reported

Crews responded to the scene of a reported fire inside the MP Global building in northern Norfolk at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Two rigs from the Norfolk Fire Division initially responded to the scene off of Riverside Boulevard before mutual aid from Hadar Fire & Rescue, Hoskins/Woodland Park and Battle Creek Fire & Rescue were brought in.

The fire started in the southern, warehouse half of the building and was caused by a hot piece of metal inside grinder material, said Capt. Lannce Grothe with the Norfolk Fire Division. Firefighters entered the business from the west side.

Several employees could be seen standing in the building’s west lawn while crews worked the scene. Nobody was injured and all employees had evacuated the building by the time crews had arrived, Grothe said.

No structural damage was done to the building, Grothe said, but the fire caused about $20,000 in damage to equipment.

MP Global’s water sprinkler system and carbon dioxide sprinkler system contained the fire, Grothe said, preventing a far worse outcome. Initial reports led fire crews to believe that they had a much bigger fire on their hands, he said.

“We wanted to call in mutual aid with the possibility of a big fire,” Grothe said. “And, on a hot day like this, you want to have all the manpower you can.”

MP Global employs about 140 people across its two Norfolk plants and 85 at the Riverside Boulevard location where the fire occurred, said Al Collison, owner and chief executive officer.

“I was in shock at first. We have protocol that, when something like this happens, everybody evacuates the building, our systems respond to the fire and then the fire department takes over,” Collison said. “They all got out right away, so everyone is safe.”

About 25 employees were inside the building when the fire started, Collison said.

“It’s a shock; your biggest worry is making sure people are out,” he said.

As of about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, crews remained on scene and were working to ventilate the building. MP Global, which operates 24 hours a day, was expected to be operating again by 6 a.m. Thursday, Collison said.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Norfolk Police Division also responded to the scene.

MP Global is a cardboard liner company that had to recover from a major fire in 2005 that Collison, the founder of MP Global, said proved to be “the most challenging period of my life.”

Damage was estimated at between $5 million and $6 million. With a stack of orders, Collison said in a 2005 Daily News story that he had to immediately find a site where production could continue almost seamlessly. Within two days of the fire, Collison located a factory in Mexico City, Mexico. Production was moved to Mexico for six months until the Norfolk facility reopened, Collison said.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers