Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Clinton, IA – Fire at manufacturing company held in check by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Crews battled a fire at a manufacturing company in Clinton Monday night.

Clinton firefighters responded to a fire at UFP Technologies in the 1500 block of Windsor Drive at about 10 p.m. Monday. When they arrived, crews found light smoke coming from a one-story commercial building that had already been evacuated.

Firefighters found a fire above some of the manufacturing equipment at ceiling level, which was being kept in check by the sprinkler system. Crews extinguished the remaining flames and ensured there were no other hazards, officials said.

No one was hurt and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Charleston, SC – Sprinkler system contains kitchen fire at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Charleston Fire Department is reminding residents to stay attentive to cooking food after a fire broke out in a West Ashley apartment kitchen early Saturday.

CFD said emergency personnel responded to a 911 call that came in shortly before an automatic alarm notification off off William E. Murray Boulevard in West Ashley just after midnight. Firefighters entered the first-floor apartment where the fire was reported, and found that the automatic fire sprinkler system had contained the blaze.

Fire marshals determined the fire started due to unattended cooking, damage was contained to the one unit, and no injuries were reported.

CFD said it is important to stay in the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food, regularly check simmering, baking, or roasting food and remain home while food is cooking, and to keep combustibles away from the stove top.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Chicopee, MA – Fire at automotive facility controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Chicopee fire crews were called to a second-alarm fire at the Tsubaki Automotive facility on Lonczak Street Thursday afternoon.

According to the Chicopee Fire Department, calls came in shortly after 3:15 p.m. reporting a fire at 106 Lonczak Street.

When firefighters arrived, crews learned the fire had begun inside a piece of the company’s machinery. The building’s sprinkler system had already activated and was helping to control the flames as responders entered.

Firefighters were able to bring the situation under control quickly, and no injuries were reported. Thursday’s incident marks the second fire at the location in recent months.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Channahon, IL – Sprinkler system activated for fire at truck stop

The Channahon Fire Protection District has issued a Facebook post surrounding Friday morning’s building fire at the Love’s/Speedco Truck Service building. Fire engines were notified of the fire alarm at 5:47 a.m. at 23865 W Bluff Road and remained on the scene until around 8:30 a.m.

As engine companies were approaching the scene, the first arriving firefighters confirmed a working fire within the facility, Channahon announced. The fire was located in the east maintenance bay. Fire crews forced entry at the north and east portions of the building through overhead garage and man doors to access the fire. The fire was extinguished at 6:31 a.m.

One firefighter sustained minor injuries during the incident and was treated and released. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but is considered accidental in nature, the Channahon Fire Protection District announced.

The building was not occupied at the time of the fire. The following agencies aided at the scene of the fire: Minooka Fire, Troy Fire, Wilmington Fire, Coal City Fire, Joliet Fire, Lockport Fire, Elwood Fire, Morris Ambulance, Channahon Police Department, NiCor, and ComEd.

“As part of this release, we would like to highlight the importance of the facilities’ well-maintained fire suppression system and fire alarm system directly connected to the central dispatch center, Wescom. Even though the building sustained smoke and radiant heat damage in the fire’s area of origin, there was NO damage to the remainder of the building. The sprinkler system’s response held the fire to the area of origin,” Channahon fire officials noted.

Apartment Building, Residential

Jefferson City, MO – Apartment fire controlled by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The Jefferson City Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in the 500 block of East Elm Street at 6:21 a.m. Thursday, according to a JCFD Facebook post.

Occupants of a multistory apartment building reported smoke and fire coming from a wall near an electrical outlet inside their unit. No injuries were reported, according to the post.

Upon arrival, firefighters found light smoke conditions and confirmed a fire contained to a bedroom within the apartment, according to the post.

The building’s fire sprinkler system and smoke alarms activated and successfully controlled the fire before it could spread beyond the room of origin, according to the post.

JCFD said the American Red Cross was contacted to assist the people displaced by the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, according to the post.

Apartment Building, Residential

Peoria, IL – Sprinkler system prevents fire from spreading at apartment complex; No injuries reported

The Peoria Fire Department said “multiple” people have been displaced after a trash fire in a hallway at New Hope Apartments in Downtown Peoria.

The fire department was called about 6:35 p.m. where a fire was on the fifth floor of the building at 301 NE Jefferson.

All residents were safely evacuated, and there were no injuries, said Battalion Chief Josh Maroney.

The chief also said the building’s sprinkler system prevented the fire from spreading. The water damage, however, caused “multiple” residents to be displaced.

According to the chief, restoration work is underway, and residents will be able to return to their homes when repairs are done.

This is the second time in recent weeks that firefighters were called to put out a fire at New Hope. Investigators determined the fire that happened about 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 20 was intentionally set and caused an estimated $200,000.

Total damage of Tuesday evening’s fire is estimated at $60,000.

Retail, Shopping Mall

Chesapeake, VA – Sprinkler system activated for small fire inside mall; No injuries reported

A small fire inside Greenbrier Mall prompted a full evacuation Tuesday afternoon, after multiple 911 callers reported flames inside a second-floor retail store.

Chesapeake Fire Department units were dispatched at 12:56 p.m. for an initial commercial fire alarm. The call was quickly upgraded to a commercial structure fire when dispatchers received additional reports of an active blaze inside the mall.

Firefighters from Engine 14 arrived to find a small fire burning inside Rootz, a retail store on the mall’s upper level. According to officials, the store’s automatic sprinkler system activated and successfully controlled the fire before firefighters reached the scene.

The mall was immediately evacuated, and power was shut off to the impacted areas as crews worked to ensure the flames were fully out. No injuries were reported.

The affected store sustained minor smoke and water damage, while several areas on the first floor, directly below the fire, also experienced water damage from the sprinklers. Light smoke spread into the main body of the mall, prompting ongoing ventilation efforts. Norfolk Fire & Rescue assisted with its LUF60, a high-capacity ventilation fan designed for large buildings.

Greenbrier Mall will remain closed for the rest of Tuesday, though its anchor stores are allowed to stay open. Mall officials expect to resume normal operating hours on Wednesday morning, pending any updates that will be shared on the mall’s website and social media channels.

Investigators determined the fire was accidental.

Apartment Building, Residential

Silver Spring, MD – Sprinkler system activated for fire at apartment complex

A Monday night fire at the Turnberry Court Apartments in Leisure World was quickly contained thanks to the building’s sprinkler system, according to MCFRS chief spokesperson Pete Piringer.

The incident was initially dispatched around 9pm to the multi-story residential building on South Leisure World Boulevard. Upon arrival, firefighters located a fire on the second floor of the eight-story complex. Piringer reported at 10:42pm that the blaze had been contained by the residential sprinkler system, preventing it from spreading beyond the immediate area.

No injuries were reported at that time, though six adult residents from three apartments were displaced due to water damage created during the suppression effort. An update provided by Piringer at 11:38 p.m. revealed that the origin and cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, stemming from an unknown malfunction or failure of a cordless rechargeable vacuum.

One adult resident sustained minor burns while throwing a fire blanket over the flames and assisting in evacuating an elderly mother. Estimated damage from the incident is placed at $110,000, and a total of six people remain displaced across the three affected units.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Bend, OR – Sprinkler system activated for lithium ion battery fire at elementary school

A fire at Miller Elementary School in Bend on Sunday night caused significant damage to a custodial workshop but was contained by the school’s sprinkler system. Monday’s classes were canceled for a cleanup, and word came later that Tuesday classes also are canceled for that work.

Bend Fire & Rescue crews responded to the school around 9 p.m. after reports of a fire near the gymnasium. Firefighters found the sprinkler system already activated in the custodian’s workshop area, which helped stop the flames from spreading beyond the room, Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki said.

Investigators determined the fire started in a cabinet where a lithium battery had been stored. The blaze caused severe damage to the workshop.

Firefighters remained on scene for about an hour to clear smoke and water from the area. The principal of Miller Elementary and Bend-La Pine Schools staff assisted crews in damage control efforts.

Principal Jennifer Johnson said in an email to families Monday morning that “water on the gym floor and the custodial office is being cleaned up, and the custodial office sustained damage that will make it inoperable today.”

As a result, she said, school was canceled Monday “to continue clean-up and assess any further damage. Crews are working to ventilate the building using fans and blowers to reduce the odor.”

Johnson added, “Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

Later Monday, Bend-La Pine Schools spokesman Scott Maben told KTVZ News that families had just been informed the closure would last a second day, “as we complete the cleanup and air quality testing.”

The National Fire Protection Association reminds the public to store lithium batteries at room temperature and away from flammable materials, use only batteries and chargers designed for each specific device, and they warn the public not to keep charging the device or device battery after it is fully charged.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Rockland, MA – Nursing home fire held in check by sprinkler system

All 102 residents of a nursing home and rehabilitation facility in Rockland, Massachusetts, will be evacuated after a Saturday afternoon fire.

Rockland Fire Chief Scott Duffey said the Webster Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center at 56 Webster St. will need to be closed for some time because of smoke and water damage.

Duffey said the fire was reported at 4 p.m. The complete evacuation of the building took about 40 minutes.

The first firefighters to arrive found the flames were being held in check by the automatic sprinkler system. Still, heavy smoke affected the third floor of the structure.

More than 20 people who were on the third floor were carried downstairs as part of the evacuation.

In addition to the Rockland Fire Department, the Brockton and Hanover Fire Departments confirmed they are providing resources to help with the situation. The firefighter union in Whitman also said it was assisting.

A rehab unit from the Department of Fire Services was also sent to support the firefighters.

Duffey said teams of ambulances were called in to assist with the evacuation and relocation of the residents.

Reporting on lives and property saved by fire sprinklers