Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Plainfield, IL – Arson fire at middle school extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire at a Plainfield Middle School ended with an arson investigation. It was at 8:11am that the Plainfield Fire Protection District and the Plainfield Police Department were called to Ira Jones Middle School in regards to a fire alarm. Upon arriving personnel was able to located and isolate the fire to a first-floor bathroom and was extinguished by the sprinkler system. During the investigation into the cause of the fire, investigators identified a fourteen-year-old male student as the individual who started the fire. During an interview, he admitted, to using a lighter to ignite a paper towel within the dispenser. He believed he extinguished the fire, left the restroom and returned to his class. A short time later, the fire alarm was activated.

No injures were reported as a result of the fire. Students and staff were briefly relocated to C.W. Avery Family YMCA and at the discretion of school personnel, the students were reunited with their parents. There was a significant amount of water and smoke damager to the school according the Police , which has resulted in its closing. It will remain closed until further notice. Additionally, students will be in remote learning until further notice.

Criminal charges are pending as the investigation is still active.

Apartment Building, Residential

Poughkeepsie, NY – Suspected arson fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

City of Poughkeepsie firefighters responded to an early morning sprinkler alarm at 60 Carroll Street at 4:10 a.m. on Monday morning.  The first arriving firefighters immediately observed a heavy odor of gasoline when they entered the building less than four minutes after receiving the alarm.

When the firefighters reached the second-floor of the building, with the gasoline odor even more noticeable, they observed a charred trail where a fire had been burning, until the sprinkler system had extinguished it.

Fire officials said that most of the building’s occupants had evacuated the building when the alarm activated in the building.  As they continued their inspection, firefighters discovered that an entry door to a specific apartment had sustained fire damage prior to their arrival.

The initial investigation indicates that an accelerant, presumably gasoline, was poured in the second-floor hallway, and intentionally ignited.  The sprinkler system extinguished the fire.  The City of Poughkeepsie Police were called to the scene to investigate the possible criminal act.

No injuries were reported.  Officials noted that ceiling tiles on the first floor had sustained water damage from the sprinklers and fell to the floor.

Over the past several weeks, the fire department has responded to several calls at the address.  On one occasion, a gas can was placed in the building and evidence indicates that an attempt to ignite it had occurred.  On another date, firefighters responded to a similar call.

City of Poughkeepsie Police have responded to the building several times in recent weeks as well.  On one date, they responded to a call of gunfire that resulted in bullets entering an occupied apartment.  More recently, a drug raid was conducted at an apartment in the building, resulting in a seizure of guns, drugs, and cash.  Arrests were made during that incident.

Sources have told Mid Hudson News that the police are investigating the Monday morning fire as a possible arson.  Anyone with information is asked to call 845-451-7577.

Uncategorized

Fontana, CA – Sprinkler system activated for small fire in bathroom

Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire that had erupted at a building in Fontana on May 26, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

At 8:54 p.m., crews were dispatched to the location in the 16000 block of Merrill Avenue, according to Public Information Officer Mike McClintock.

Crews found smoke and a small fire in a bathroom fan that had spread to a small area of the attic. Firefighters put the fire out and checked for extension to the remainder of the attic space and adjoining units.

“Thankfully a quick response and an activated fire sprinkler helped keep the fire from growing larger,” McClintock said.

Crews remained on scene for about one hour, working on salvage and overhaul.

Initially there were reports of people trapped inside the building, but those reports turned out to be unfounded, McClintock said.

“In the event of fire, time is the biggest enemy, and every second counts. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. Have escape plans to get out of your home quickly. Practice E.D.I.T.H. — Exit Drills in the Home — with your family,” McClintock said.

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.

Apartment Building, Residential

St. Cloud, MN – Apartment fire contained and extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

No one was injured but thousands of dollars in damage occurred in an apartment fire Sunday evening in St. Cloud.

The St. Cloud Fire Department responded to a call for a kitchen fire around 8 p.m. Sunday. When firefighters arrived at the apartment building in the 1100 block of 7th Street Southeast, they found that the building’s sprinkler system had contained and extinguished the fire.

There were no injuries reported, but the department says it is investigating the cause of the fire that left $14,000 in damage. It is not suspicious in nature. Two adults and three children were displaced from the apartment and are receiving help from the Red Cross.

Other - School / University, School / University

Frisco, TX – Fire at Frisco ISD building kept in check by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The Frisco Fire Department is investigating after alarms alerted dispatchers to a fire at a Frisco ISD building Friday morning.  

After dispatchers were alerted at 9:59 a.m., the first unit of Frisco firefighters arrived at 10:04 a.m. at a FISD building on the 7200 block of Hickory Street. The initial response involved one engine, one ladder truck and one battalion chief, a press release stated, due to the response involving an alarm investigation. During the response, occupants found smoke in the building, the press release stated.  

“Additional units were requested as a structure fire was declared,” the department stated. “The fire was found in a closet, was kept small and was not allowed to grow as rapidly due to a sprinkler fire that activated when the fire began. A total of 12 units and 34 personnel responded.”

The department reported no civilian or firefighter injuries.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Terre Haute, IN – Sprinkler system activated for trailer fire at recycling center; No injuries reported

A trailer full of cardboard caught fire while docked at a Terre Haute recycling center Friday morning.

Firefighters responded to a call around 10:16 a.m. Friday at Midwest Fiber Recycling located at 4000 E. Steelton Ave. According to Terre Haute Fire Chief Bill Berry, the trailer was a total loss.

The fire caused a sprinkler system inside the building to go off; however, Berry said the recycling center was not damaged. No was hurt during the incident.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Roanoke, VA – Fire at business extinguished with help from sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Roanoke Fire-EMS extinguished a fire in the 3400 block of Shenandoah Avenue NW Saturday night.

About 6:30 p.m., crews were called to respond to a fire alarm, and found smoke coming from a business building.

Firefighters say sprinklers helped lessen impacts from the fire, and put out part of the fire untouchable by the sprinkler system in place.

No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Apartment Building, Residential

McKinney, TX – Fire at apartment complex extinguished by residential sprinkler system

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to the report of a water flow alarm at the Lakes of Eldorado apartments at 1400 Eldorado Pkwy. just after 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 18. Neighbors told 911 dispatchers that water was coming from one of the apartments. 

MFD firefighters arrived to find that the flames had been contained and extinguished by the residential fire sprinkler system. 

Nobody was home at the time of the fire. Fire investigators are looking into the cause. 

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.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers