Other - Manufacturing

Omaha, NE – Fire at industrial building controlled thanks in part to sprinkler system

No injuries were reported Tuesday night in a fire at an industrial building near South 42nd and D Streets.  Fire crews reported to the structure, which contains recycling materials, around 7:25 p.m.  Firefighters reported smoke on approach to the location.  The fire was declared under control at 7:45 p.m., thanks in part to a sprinkler system that helped contain the blaze, fire crews said.  Several employees were on location at the time of the fire, which remains under investigation, fire officials said.  The $889,300 structure sustained an estimated $250 in damage, officials said.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Fayetteville, AR – Balcony fire at senior apartment complex put out by sprinkler system

A balcony fire ignited at a Fayetteville apartment complex for seniors Tuesday, but it was quickly extinguished.  The fire at Wedington Place Senior Apartments, 3130 Telluride Drive, started just after 1 p.m., however, the building’s sprinkler system activated and put out the flames, according to Dale Riggins, administrative assistant for the Fayetteville Police Department.

No one at the complex was injured or had to be transported to a hospital. However, Central EMS arrived on scene to help bring people down from the second floor with wheelchairs, Riggins said. The top floor sustained smoke and water damage, and as of 2:30 p.m. fire marshals were still at the scene investigating the cause of the fire, Riggins said.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Carlisle, OH – Dust explosion contained with help from sprinkler system

Static electricity built up caused a spark and small explosion, said Brad Wymore, director of marketing and sales at Mar-Flex Waterproofing and Building Solutions. He said there were some flammable materials within the solvent-based product manufactured in the Carlisle facility. Wymore said the on-site sprinkler system was triggered, and there was a fast response from the fire departments. There were no flames at any time, but a foam used to put out the small explosion does cause some smoldering. Wymore said 10 people were inside the building at the time, but only one was in the back near the explosion.

A small explosion at Mar-Flex Waterproofing and Building Solutions led to no structural damage at the business. Just a wall panel was torn off. Lt. Dustin Perry, Franklin Twp. fire, said the damage was contained to a mixing tank. He said a dust explosion caused the incident.

UPDATE @ 11:33 a.m.
A small explosion was reported inside the business around 10:30 a.m. Crews on scene report part of a wall is laying out from the side of the building.

No injuries are reported, and all employees are accounted for.

On scene were fire department crews from Carlisle, Franklin, Madison Twp., Middletown, Miami Valley, Clearcreek Twp., Franklin Twp., Germantown and the Joint Emergency Medical Service.

The company, Mar-Flex Waterproofing and Building Solutions, has been located here for less than a decade.

Multiple fire crews have responded to a reported fire at a factory in Carlisle Monday morning.

Crews were dispatched around 10:30 a.m. to Mar-Flex Waterproofing and Building Solutions at 500 Business Parkway on reports of a fire and possible explosions from the building.

Apartment Building, Residential

Green Bay, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at large apartment building

A fire in a large apartment building was stopped in its tracks by the sprinkler system Monday night.  The Green Bay Metro Fire Department blames careless use of smoking materials for a fire inside a closet in one of the apartments of Woodland Park on University Avenue. The sprinkler system activated and alarms went off just before 6:30 p.m. When firefighters arrived, they found the fire was already extinguished.  Woodland Park has 80 apartments, according to its website.  Neighbors were allowed back in their apartments after about 45 minutes.  The person living in the apartment, along with two cats, are staying with friends across the hall, GBMFD said.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Wheeling, IL – Bedroom fire on 3rd floor of senior housing facility extinguished by sprinklers

Authorities say a sprinkler system helped avert disaster last week when fire broke out in a Wheeling senior housing facility.  Wheeling fire crews were called to the Addolorata Villa Senior Living Community, 557 McHenry Road, about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, in response to the fire.

The first firefighters to arrive found two fire sprinkler heads extinguishing a bedroom fire in a third-floor apartment of the four-story facility.  The resident of the unit was rescued by firefighters and admitted to a hospital for nonlife-threatening injuries, officials said. Firefighters and police evacuated several residents safely.

A Wheeling firefighter was admitted to Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview and kept overnight for observation of medical issues, according to the fire department.  The building where the fire started houses more than 100 residents and is one of four interconnected buildings at the facility, officials said. If not for the sprinkler system, it is likely the fire would have caused fatalities, Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac said in a news release. The cause of the fire is being investigated, but officials do not believe it was suspicious.

Manufacturing

Yorkville, NY – Fire at large printing company contained with help from sprinkler system

Firefighters Friday afternoon responded to a compressor unit fire at Vicks Lithograph and Printing on Commercial Drive.  Though there was some water damage to the interior of the building due to the sprinkler system, no injuries were reported by the New York Mills Fire Department.  “It was under control within 20 minutes,” said Mike Edwards, second assistant chief.

Firefighters at 2:45 p.m. were called to 5166 Commercial Drive. Arriving firefighters reported smoke visible. The depth of the snow deterred firefighters initially, but Edwards said everything was plowed out as it should have been. There was visible smoke in the building that would eventually dissipate, he said. However, the situation could have been worse.

“It was a good job by everybody involved,” Edwards said. “Other than the damage, it was a large manufacturing facility that could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the actions of the staff and the sprinkler system.” The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Yorkville Fire Department assisted on scene.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Ann Arbor, MI – Fire in mechanical room at University of Michigan contained by sprinkler system

A University of Michigan building was evacuated Friday afternoon when a fire in the mechanical room set off alarms and a sprinkler system inside.  The Ann Arbor Fire Department responded to the report of a fire in a mechanical room at Tisch Hall, 435 S. State St. at 12:20 p.m. Friday, March 1. The fire was out within 10 minutes, said Battalion Chief Derek Wiseley.  Tisch Hall is located on UM’s main campus and is connected to Angell and Haven Halls, according to its website. It is near the University of Michigan Museum of Art.

A fire in the cabinet of the mechanical room triggered the automatic sprinkler system, which contained the flames to the area until fire crews were able to respond, officials said. Wisely said fire crews helped ventilate the building and ensure the fire was out before clearing the scene at 1:07 p.m.

Adult Care/Rehab Center, Hospital/Care Facility

Boerne, TX – (No Media Coverage) Utility room fire at long term care facility contained by single sprinkler head

**NO MEDIA COVERAGE – Fire Department Reported ** On 3/2 at approximately 8 am a fire occurred at a long term care facility.  The fire was located in the utility room and was due to a gas fired water heater malfunction.  One sprinkler head activated and contained the fire to the utility room.  Fire loss was under $2500.  Appraised property value is $2.1 million.

Hotel / Motel

Astoria, OR – Arson fire at Comfort Suites hotel extinguished with help from sprinkler system

A homeless man has been indicted in connection with a gas leak and fire at the Comfort Suites in Astoria last September. Matthew Jay Burke, 26, allegedly removed a plug from a gas meter near the hotel. Natural gas eventually leaked into and outside of the building on Lief Erikson Drive, causing a spark outside. Flames from the fire extended into the laundry room. The fire was extinguished after a water pipe burst and a ceiling sprinkler activated, causing several inches of water to flood the ground floor. The incident caused the hotel to temporarily close.

Dozens of guests from 75 rooms were evacuated and transferred to other hotels in Astoria and Warrenton. No injuries were reported. Burke was indicted in late January but has been held in a California jail for a separate probation violation. It is unclear whether Burke intended to cause a fire at the hotel or simply damage property. He has been charged with eight counts of recklessly endangering another person and two counts of first-degree criminal mischief.

“Frankly, the motel was full,” Clatsop County Deputy District Attorney Ron Brown said. “The risk to the public could’ve been pretty substantial.” Burke has yet to be transferred to the Clatsop County Jail, and an arraignment has not been scheduled.

Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Union, NJ – Residence hall fire put out by sprinkler system; No injuries

A lit candle caused a fire on Jan. 17 in Upperclassman Residence Hall and triggered the sprinkler system causing water damage to parts of the building, according to University spokesperson, Margaret McCorry.

The candle fire broke out in a student’s bedroom on the seventh floor of the Upperclassman Residence Hall. The fire was quickly put out by the building’s sprinkler system, keeping the fire from stretching beyond the bedroom. No injuries were sustained in response to the fire.

“The safety of our students is our top priority,” said Maximina Rivera, Assistant Vice President of the Office of Residential Student Services. “We thank our first responders and others who helped ensure our students were safe during this incident.”

Water from the sprinkler system flowed into the hallway of the seventh floor, as well as into rooms on the sixth floor, fifth floor, and the dining hall kitchen area. This resulted in saturated carpets and damage to personal property, according to Rivera in an email sent to Upperclassman Hall residents.

“It sucked because we couldn’t get to our rooms till two in the morning,” said Andrea Antall, junior and Upperclassman Hall resident, in reference to the night of the fire. “ I didn’t have anything to do. I had full day of classes the next day and I couldn’t really sleep. It was just a real shitty night.”

On the night of the fire, the students were mostly lingering around outside the dorms. Antall said it was about three or four hours before they finally got back to the room. She couldn’t remember if there was an official notice sent out to let them know they could return to their dorms. She just remembers people yelling they can go back inside of the building.

“It was really cold,” said Antall. “We actually went to Freshman Residence Hall because my teammates were living in there. So we stayed with them for a few hours until we were let back in the rooms.”

Antall lives on the fifth floor of Upperclassman Residence Hall. It did not just affect her night, but also her week. Antall was unable to get food from the dining hall due to maintenance from the water damage. She had to find food from other places on campus. Cougar’s Den had extended its hours to assist those inconvenienced by the water damaged dining hall, according to Antall.

According to Kean’s 2017- 2018 Resident Student Handbook under violations two, setting or fueling a fire of any size and/or possession of highly flammable materials inside the residence halls, including gasoline, gas can or container ( whether containing fuel or empty), gas-powered vehicles, kerosene, fireworks, candles or incense, live Christmas trees, neon signs, and string of lights are prohibited.

Those who commit violations for the first time receive a warning. After the second time, they are placed on House probation which can last for up to a year. If they receive another violation, the students residence hall contract is terminated. They will have to vacate after 48 hours, they will no longer be allowed to trespass on to the residence hall and a period of termination is placed. If further University disciplinary action is necessary, a written notification to the Office of Community Standards and Student Contact is sent.

“We also thank our students for their patience while we assessed the damage,” said Rivera. “This incident shows how important it is for students to follow policies that strictly prohibit candles in the residence halls.”

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