Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Fresno, CA – Sprinkler system contains fire at grocery store; No injuries reported

A fire inside the Foods Co grocery store on Shields Avenue caused customers and employees to scramble from the store Sunday morning.

The two-alarm fire began on the paper-products aisle shortly after 8 a.m. with flames nearly reaching the ceiling, said a store employee who asked not to be identified. A possible suspect was seen running from the area and out of the store through an emergency exit, the employee said.

The store quickly filled with smoke, while Fresno Fire Department crews arrived within minutes.

Battalion Chief Kirk Wanless said no one was injured and the fire was contained to one aisle with the help of a fire sprinkler inside the store. It took crews about 10 minutes to knock down the fire that started among the toilet paper and paper towel products.

Wanless said the department’s fire investigator was on scene Sunday morning.

The store employee said someone tried tried to light a fire inside the store several months ago but was unsuccessful.

Fire crews remained at the store for several hours, clearing smoke and checking to make sure no one was inside. It was unclear how the fire would affect the store’s hours.

Apartment Building, Residential

Mackinac Island, MI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

Just before 2, the Fire Department was sent to the Stonecliffe Neighborhood for a report of an Apartment Fire.

The chief tells us a 2 story employee dorm was on fire after an incorrect use of an appliance.
The majority of the fire was knocked down by the sprinkler system.

Units cleared in 40 minutes.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Lexington, VA – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire on university campus

Sprinkler System Kept Nighttime Fire From Growing

A nighttime electrical fire in an academic building on Washington and Lee University’s campus last week was quickly contained by the building’s fire suppression system, and extinguished by the Lexington Fire Department.

“At approximately 1:15 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, a small electrical fire occurred in a third-floor bathroom in Reid Hall, which was unoccupied at the time,” said Drewry Sackett, university spokesperson.

Reid Hall is home to the university’s journalism and mass communication departments.

“The sprinkler system was activated, the fire department responded, and the fire was extinguished quickly,” she told The News-Gazette.

Dispatched around 1:15 a.m., Lexington fire crews put out the fire and turned off the sprinkler system to limit water damage to the building.

The fire was declared under control at 2:05 a.m., though firefighters remained on the scene until 3:40 a.m. to monitor and help control water damage.

Lexington Fire Chief Ty Dickerson said that the building’s fire suppression system prevented what could have been significant damage to the building.

“It is very fortunate that the building had a fire sprinkler system. That single fire sprinkler head was activated by the heat from the fire in the light fixture and was contained prior to the fire department’s arrival,” he said.

“The fire alarm connected to the fire sprinkler system activated and notified a monitoring company who notified our regional 911 center who dispatched the Lexington Fire Department,” said Dickerson.

“Without that fire sprinkler and alarm system, a fire in an unoccupied building in the middle of the night could have grown very large before being noticed,” he said.

Sackett said that the building was reopened in time to welcome students back from spring break.

“The building sustained water damage and was closed briefly for repairs,” she said.

“It reopened over the weekend, in time for Monday morning classes, and is fully operational at this time, except for the third-floor bathroom where the fire originated.”

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Gold River, CA – Sprinkler system activated for early morning fire in warehouse; No injuries reported

Firefighters say an early morning warehouse fire in Gold River could have been much worse due to what was inside the building.

Metro Fire of Sacramento crews responded to the scene along Gold River Road a little after 3 a.m. Wednesday.

The fire was inside a warehouse but, luckily, the flames were being held in check by the sprinkler system.

No injuries were reported.

Due to the contents inside the building, and its proximity to a large storage facility, firefighters say the incident could have been a lot more significant if not for the sprinklers.

The fire won’t impact the business’ opening later in the morning.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Appleton, WI – Sprinkler system activated for building fire; No injuries reported

The Appleton Fire Department credits working fire alarms and sprinkler systems with limiting damage from a fire downtown Friday.

Firefighters were dispatched to a building in the 100 block of College Avenue around 10:30 p.m. by a fire alarm.

Fire crews faced heavy smoke and limited visibility but were able to bring the fire under control within five minutes thanks to the building’s sprinkler system.

Damage is estimated to be $35,000. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at business

An overnight fire in a Portland business was within by a bundle of towels and rags, Portland Fire & Rescue said.

Overnight, PF&R was called to a commercial fire at 5525 Southeast 26th Avenue. The original call was for a fire alarm with four firefighters responding.

After confirming water was flowing in the sprinklers and smoke was showing, the call was increased to a single alarm response. A total of 26 firefighters responded.

According to PF&R, the sprinkler system doused most of the fire and firefighters were able to extinguish the remaining flames.

The fire was within a bundle of towels and rags that officials were able to safely remove from the building.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Manhattan, KS – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at hotel

Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged arson and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday, the Riley County Communication Center received a call of a fire alarm at the Parkwood Inn and Suites in the 500 block of S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Officers from RCPD and Quints 2 and 3 from the Manhattan Fire Department responded to the location.  Upon arrival, fire crews discovered an activated fire sprinkler head on the fourth floor.

Fire investigators determined an unknown item was ignited near the sprinkler head causing it to activate. Fire loss is estimated to be $500 with the area sustaining significant water damage.

Officers arrested Gerry Phillips, 32, of Manhattan on a probable cause offense of aggravated arson. His bond was set at $20,000.

The RCPD did not release the exact location of the fire. However, an online search  indicates the fire occurred at the Parkwood Inn and Suites. at 505 MLK Jr. Drive in Manhattan.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Bishopville, SC – Sprinkler system activated for overnight fire at laundromat; No injuries reported

The Lee County Fire Department (LCFD) said crews battled an overnight fire at a laundromat in Bishopville early Monday morning.

At around 2:30 a.m., crews responded to a commercial fire alarm activation at Crown Laundry in Bishopville. Officials said the business was closed at the time of the fire.

Fire units found smoke coming from the facility and combatted the fire alongside the facility’s fire sprinkler system.

LCFD said no people were injured and found the fire started unintentionally in a laundry cart.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

San Diego, CA – Sprinkler system activated for dumpster fire outside business; No injuries reported

The Oceanside Fire Department was able to quickly put out a dumpster fire Saturday morning that was threatening businesses on Oceanside Blvd.

Fire crews responded to a dumpster that was on fire in an alcove of a commercial building in the 4000 block of Oceanside Blvd., near the intersection with College Blvd, at 6:41 a.m. Saturday.

The Oceanside Fire Department reports a sprinkler inside the alcove was activated and helped douse the fire. Once on the scene, fire crews were able to knock down the fire within seven minutes.

The fire department said all nearby businesses were cleared of smoke within 20 minutes, and reminded businesses to make sure to have updated access keys in emergency key boxes to help emergency personnel safely and quickly enter a structure when needed.

No injuries or damages were reported.

The Vista Fire Department and SDG&E assisted at the scene. The cause and origin of the dumpster fire is under investigation.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Forest Hill, MD – Sprinkler system activated for microwave fire in condominium

A microwave started a fire at a condominium building in Harford County, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

A neighbor of the occupant heard a smoke alarm and later discovered the occupant inside her apartment with heavy smoke, fire officials said. Another neighbor assisted her out of the apartment.

Neighbors exited their units after the fire alarm sounded, according to fire officials. One fire sprinkler activated and contained the fire within and around the microwave in the unit with minimal fire damage.

Water damage affected two units, including the unit of origin and the unit directly below, fire officials said.

Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray stated, “Residential fire sprinklers are proven to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property and valuables. This is yet another example of how the presence of an automatic fire sprinkler system protected occupants and prevented substantial fire damage to residential property.”

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