Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

Amherst, MA – Sprinkler system activated for high-rise dorm fire at university; No injuries reported

On Sunday, Amherst fire crews were called to the Coolidge Dorm at UMass after a fire alarm activation.

Shortly after 11 p.m., smoke was seen on the 20th floor, where the building’s sprinkler system had activated.

Firefighters found moderate smoke and discovered a fire in a dorm room that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system. The fire, which started due to an unattended candle left on a desk, caused damage to the desk and surrounding items. While the flames were contained, the sprinkler system caused flooding on the 20th floor and several floors below.

The entire dormitory was evacuated for approximately three hours. Residents on floors one through 18 were allowed back inside by 2 a.m., while those on floors 19 to 22 had to wait until the sprinkler system was restored. By 4 a.m., all but the occupants of the affected room were permitted to return. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for fire at eight-story building; No injuries reported

Firefighters have extinguished a blaze at an eight-story building in Southeast Portland’s Sellwood-Moreland Neighborhood.

Just after 8 p.m., Portland Fire and Rescue stated via a post on X that they and Clackamas Fire were on the scene of the building, “with fire showing from the 5th and 6th floors” and that a second alarm was requested.

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After 20 minutes, PF&R made another post saying the fire was extinguished and that no injuries were reported.

A KOIN 6 News videographer was on the scene where black soot could be seen marking multiple balconies on the building’s upper level.

“This fire began on the on balcony of a 5th occupancy that extended up to the 6th and dropped fire embers to have active fire on the 3rd and 4th levels,” PF&R said in a subsequent post. “Hand held hose lines and the fire sprinkler system extinguished the flames.”

Officials said there were three people who were displaced because of water damage and other damage caused by the fire.

PF&R is still investigating the cause of the fire.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Charlotte, NC – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at retirement home; No injuries reported

CMPD arrested and charged a man with first degree arson after he deliberately set Barringer Gardens, a retirement home, on fire, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

A commercial fire alarm at Barringer Gardens alerted Charlotte Fire to the retirement home on August 20 at approximately 2:40 a.m.

Upon arriving on the scene, firefighters say they found smoke in the hallways and an activated sprinkler system and soon got the fire under control.

An investigation shows the fire was intentionally set and Johnny Mack was identified as a suspect.

Mack was arrested and charged with first-degree arson and malicious damage use of an explosive or incendiary device to occupied property.

There were no reported injuries. The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in damage.

Office Building, Other Business

Mountain View, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Google office

An office building at Google’s Mountain View campus caught fire on Tuesday evening, resulting in approximately $200,000 worth of damage.

The blaze was reported at approximately 5:18 p.m. in a two-story building at 2081 Stierlin Court in Mountain View, the Mountain View Fire Department said in a Facebook post. Fire crews arrived on the scene approximately five minutes later after 25 employees had self-evacuated.

Fire personnel located smoke coming from a computer lab, where an overhead sprinkler had been activated. Crews were able to turn off the sprinkler and “remove water and smoke from the affected office space” without damaging the electronics.

Officials believe the lab caught fire after an “unattended electrical component” overheated on a workbench, the fire department said. Firefighters extinguished the fire and recharged the sprinkler system.

Google officials will be in charge of restoring the facility, the fire department said. The company did not respond to SFGATE’s request for comment.

Self-Storage Facility, Storage / Warehouse

Los Angeles, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at storage facility

A fire on the fifth floor of the Extra Space Storage facility in Westchester was extinguished in 26 minutes Monday evening.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was notified for the fire by the building’s automatic fire alarm system at 8:14 p.m., according to department spokesman Brian Humphrey. Firefighters responded to 5555 W. Manchester Ave., between Aviation and Airport boulevards, where they found flames coming from one unit in the seven-story building.

The fire was extinguished at 8:40 p.m.

Humphrey said the blaze was held in check by a fire sprinkler system and firefighters are in the process of salvage, protecting the building’s contents and water removal.

Apartment Building, Residential

Portland, OR – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

A scooter caused an early morning fire in an apartment complex in Northwest Portland on Monday.

Fire crews were dispatched to the scene around 8:00 a.m. on the report of an explosion and an internal fire protection sprinkler was activated.

When Portland Fire and Rescue arrived, they said light smoke was coming from a window on the backside of the structure. After crews surveyed this inside of the complex, they discovered an electric scooter stored in a primary egress route that had caught fire.

Crews quickly put out the fire with a handheld water extinguisher. Officials say there were no injuries reported and no one was displaced.

The scooter used a lithium-ion battery that entered a state fire official label as a “Thermal Runaway.”

A thermal runaway is a phenomenon in which the lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state. Fire officials say it can result in extremely high temperatures, violent cell venting, smoke, and fire.

PF&R says a similar fire incident happened about three and a half months ago, and it can be prevented. Portland Fire & Rescue officials remind people that lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy and can pose a threat if not treated properly.

These batteries are found in electric bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones, and common household devices. According to officials, some of these batteries can be defective and can overheat, catch fire, or explode.

If using any devices powered by lithium-ion batteries:

  • Be sure any equipment has the Underwriter Laboratories (UL) mark.
  • Follow manufacturers’ instructions for charging and storage.
  • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
  • Keep batteries/devices stored at room temperature. Do not place it in direct sunlight.
  • Store batteries away from anything flammable.
  • Do not charge or store battery-operated devices or scooters in stairways/stairwells, exit pathways, or in front of exit doors. We recommend actively charging this equipment only while you are home.
  • If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, cracks, leaking, or odd noises coming from a device, discontinue use immediately. If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
  • Inspect all lithium-ion battery-powered equipment and chargers for frayed or cracked cords and replace if necessary.
Apartment Building, Residential

Madison, WI – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Madison Fire Department said Saturday crews were dispatched to an apartment fire on Madison’s west side, only to find that the fire had already been extinguished by a sprinkler head in the unit.

The MFD said crews responded to a fire alarm report at Segoe Terrace Apartments, an 8-story building. While MFD units were on the way, several residents from the building called 911 and reported there was smoke visible on the 4th floor.

Upon arrival, the MFD said firefighters immediately checked the 4th floor and reported heat and water coming from inside one of the dwelling units. Engine 9 reported upon entry that not only had the resident evacuated the affected unit, and other residents had evacuated theirs, but the fire in the unit was already extinguished by a sprinkler head.

The MFD said fire damage was contained to only one unit. However, water from the sprinkler system seeped into several units and offices on the first, second, third, and fourth floors. The building’s property management and maintenance team, along with a property restoration company, responded to the scene.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the MFD said no damage estimate is available at this time. No injuries were reported.

Other - Retail, Retail

Jersey City, NJ – Sprinkler system activated for fire at toy store; No injuries reported

A fire in a toy store in the Newport Centre mall in Jersey City on Tuesday caused a temporary evacuation, but no injuries, a city spokesperson said.

The fire occurred around 12:30 p.m. at the Toy Chest, said Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, a city public safety spokesperson.

She said, “Upon arrival, JCFD observed a small working fire in the toy chest store. The fire caused moderate smoke conditions inside the mall.”

“The sprinkler system went off and helped contain the fire,” she added. “Additionally, the fire department’s quick response kept the fire under control without any fire extension to any other stores.”

No injuries were reported.

Officials on the scene reported the cause may have involved the hot water heater and duct work. The Fire Department is still investigating.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Cambridge, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Cintas facility; No injuries reported

An early morning fire at a Cambridge business caused significant damage.

Emergency services were called to a fire at the Cintas Uniform Company on Turnbull Court around 3:30 a.m. Monday.

Cambridge Fire told CTV News there were no injuries and no one was inside at the time.

Damage to the building is substantial, they added.

Cambridge Fire said it was an offensive attack to contain and suppress the fire with the assistance of the building sprinkler system.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Officials said it’s unlikely workers will be able to return to work Monday due to poor air quality inside the building.

Cambridge Fire wrapped up the investigation by Monday evening and said the building was released back to the owner to start the clean up process.

Other Business, Place of Worship

Wyoming, MI – Sprinkler system activated for fire at church

Cleanup is underway at a church in Wyoming after a fire Monday night.

That night, board members of The Potter’s House noticed a glare beyond The Potter House Chapel’s windows. It wasn’t the sun they were seeing, it was flames.

“It’s like, ‘My goodness, the church is on fire,’” said John Booy, superintendent of the Potter’s House School.

Booy said the fire started in a waste basket near a sound board in the sanctuary, damaging the equipment. Fortunately, it was put out quickly.

“Our fire suppression sprinkler system worked really well because the fire started right underneath the balcony, which is all wood and it would’ve been no time, it would’ve gone up like a match,” Booy said.

Water from the sprinkler system caused some damage in the sanctuary and classrooms underneath it that are used for computer, art, science and music classes for the school that is connected to the church.

“There was an extensive amount of damage to the ceilings, which will all pretty much have to be replaced, smoke damage, soot is going to have to be taken care of, electrical has been damaged,” Booy said.

In the hours following the fire, Booy said The Potter’s House saw an outpouring of help from the community to start the recovery process.

“Everybody came out, got out of bed, drove over, even if it was from Holland or Muskegon, worked all through the night until 4:30 (a.m.) and beyond,” Booy said.

As restoration work continues, school is expected to begin as normal on Aug. 26. But it could take some time before the sanctuary can be used.

“We’re not going to be able to have our opening worship session in the church like we planned,” Booy said.

He said he’s thankful that no one was hurt and the fire wasn’t worse. He acknowledged things could have been much different if those board members didn’t notice the incident quickly.

“You have a meeting that you never have go that long, you leave and you see a light in there and you’re on it right away. So we were able to notify the fire department immediately,” Booy said.

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