Tag Archives: Afternoon (12pm-6pm)

Other - Retail, Other Business

Rochester, MN – Sprinkler system saves laundry business from further fire damage; Business remains open

Firefighters responded to flames at Mega Coin Laundry last Wednesday afternoon. Authorities say the fire began in a dryer and after the clothes were removed from the machine, the smoke set off the sprinkler system. Those with the Rochester Fire Department say they were able to shut down the sprinkler system after forcing entry on a door, but Mega Coin and two other businesses experienced an estimated $10,000 in water damage to floor and carpeting. No one was injured, and officials say Mega Coin Laundry will be able to remain open.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Union City, CA – New Year’s Day restaurant fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

Employees and patrons evacuated a popular Filipino restaurant in Union City on New Year’s Day, and no injuries were reported after a water-heater fire broke out, according to the Alameda County Fire Department. Crews responding Monday at 4:33 p.m. to Gerry’s Grill, at 31005 Courthouse Drive, where the eatery’s sprinkler system extinguished the blaze, isolated the water flow to prevent flooding throughout the restaurant, the agency said. The fire was contained to the area around the water heater in the rear of the building, the department said, adding that although the fire extended to a wall, it did not spread inside the wall.

“As a result of the quick actions of firefighters to prevent further water damage and a functioning sprinkler system, Gerry’s Grill sustained minor damage,” fire officials said. There were no reports of injuries to firefighters, restaurant employees or guests, but Gerry’s was temporarily closed. In addition to the Union City locale,Gerry’s, which serves traditional Filipino dishes, has locations in Artesia, Hawaii and Manila, Philippines. No cost estimate for the fire damages was available.

Other - Retail, Retail

Rochester, MN – Single sprinkler extinguishes fire at beauty salon; No injuries reported

A sprinkler system saved an area business from going up in flames. The Rochester Fire Department responded to Sola Salon just before 6:00 p.m. Monday after for an automatic fire alarm. When crews arrived they found an activated sprinkler head had extinguished the fire. From there, crews ensured the fire was out, and ventilated the smoke out of the building. No one was injured. The business is looking at $10,000 for clean-up. The cause is under investigation.

Other Business

McKinney, TX – Fire at animal care center suppressed by sprinkler system; No animals reported injured

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) responded to an incident at 2:45 p.m. Dec. 25 at the SPCA of Texas, Russell H Perry Animal Care Center, 8411 Stacy Rd. Upon arrival, first responders noted the fire alarm system had activated and reported heavy smoke conditions in a rear laundry room.  Further investigation noted a fire in the dryer had activated the fire sprinkler system and suppressed the fire within the dryer itself until fully extinguished by responding fire personnel.  A single sprinkler head is credited for the minimal fire damage, saving an estimated $1.1 million in property loss and reinforcing the value of fire sprinkler systems in commercial businesses.  Twenty-nine MFD personnel and investigators from the fire marshal’s office responded to the fire. No injuries were reported to any of the animals. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental.

“Another sprinkler save successfully demonstrates the effectiveness of automatic fire sprinkler systems in a commercial occupancy. Undoubtedly, this single sprinkler activation prevented a major loss to the SPCA of Texas,” said Deputy Fire Marshal Andrew Barr.

For additional information on fire protection systems, code requirements or other fire prevention topics, visit mckinneyfire.org or call 972-547-2862.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Staunton, VA – Kitchen fire at assisted living center extinguished by sprinkler system

A fire at Brookdale Staunton caused a partial evacuation of the building Monday afternoon. The Christmas Day blaze came from a grease fire in the kitchen at the assisted living center, said Lt. Justin Siron, of Staunton Fire and Rescue. It occurred just after 2:30 p.m. Monday. There were no injuries from the incident. The fire was contained to just the pan, and the kitchen and dining area of the building were evacuated, per protocol, Siron said. The fire activated the building’s sprinkler system, which extinguished the fire.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

DeKalb, IL – Sprinkler system controls afternoon fire at manufacturing facility

Seven people were taken to Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital for smoke inhalation on Wednesday after a fire at the Right Pointe Co. manufacturing facility, 234 Harvestore Drive.

The first call came in at 1:32 p.m., DeKalb Fire Capt. Luke Howieson said. A single engine company was first sent out, but after the department received reports of heavy black smoke coming out of the building, he said more resources were sent to the scene. “The fire was under control within 10 minutes,” Howieson said.  By 2 p.m., no smoke was visible outside the facility.

Howieson said the fire began in an area of the building where there is a lot of machinery. The sprinkler system was able to control the fire, and firefighters were able to contain the rest with fire extinguishers. One hand line was brought into the facility by firefighters, he said. The cause of the fire still is under investigation, Howieson said.

The Cortland and Sycamore fire departments sent ambulances to assist, and after paramedics checked out employees who were in the facility, seven were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation, Howieson said. The rest of the employees waited in a parking lot across the street.

Right Pointe provides products for concrete and road construction professionals, according to its website, which says the company has been around for more than 80 years. It employs 77 people at the DeKalb location. DeKalb Fire Chief Eric Hicks said the company’s operations were able to continue after some equipment was moved around.

Apartment Building, Residential

Auburn, ME – No one hurt as sprinkler system helps control apartment fire

Two families were displaced by a fire that damaged two units at the Auburn Mall Apartments at 75 University St. late Saturday afternoon.

The Auburn Fire Department said the 5 p.m. fire started on a kitchen stove in one of the units at the 12-unit building.

No one was hurt.

It took the department about 20 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Government/Military, Other-Government/Military

Saginaw, MI – Sprinkler system limits damage at County Road Commission garage

Fire destroys a Saginaw County Road Commission truck, but the sprinkler system inside the garage prevented more damage.

Managing Director Dennis Borchard said the fire in the snow plow truck appears to be electrical, but it will be up to the insurance adjustor to finalize the cause.

The garage’s sprinkler system was activated around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, which automatically alerted Saginaw County Central Dispatch.

Borchard said the sprinklers kept the fire contained until the Saginaw Fire Department arrived and was able to stop the fire from spreading.

Only one other truck has some damage.

Borchard said the truck that caught fire was not used Sunday, it was last used on Saturday. No one was in the garage in the 3200 block of Sheridan Avenue when the fire started.

The building was not damaged, but the road commission has to deal smoke and water throughout the garage.

Apartment Building, Residential

Conroe, TX – (Fire Dept Reported) Apartment fire held in check by automatic sprinkler system

The City of Conroe Fire Department was notified of an apartment fire at 2213 N Frazier St. (Oak Creek Apartments) at approximately 12:08 p.m. on December 15, 2017. Conroe Firefighters arrived at approximately 12:16 p.m. and discovered a fire in the living room of one apartment unit which had activated two fire sprinkler heads. The sprinkler heads held the fire in the smaller stages until firefighters were able to complete extinguishment.

The occupant of the apartment was transported to Conroe Regional ER with smoke inhalation. There were no reported injuries to firefighters or other occupants of the building. Fire and water damage was confined to the apartment of origin. The fire is believed to have originated in a living room couch. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

For the second time in three days within the City of Conroe, the importance of properly installed and maintained automatic fire sprinkler systems in residential occupancies has been demonstrated. It is likely that the automatic fire sprinkler system saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and property loss to the building’s owners and occupants. Further, no adjacent occupants were displaced and possible injuries and deaths to citizens and firefighters were prevented.

Automatic fire sprinkler systems have over 100 years of proven performance protecting life and property. This incident represents the third time in 2017 that an apartment fire has been extinguished in the area of origin with the assistance of an automatic fire sprinkler system.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Austin, TX – Sprinkler system controls car fire in W Hotel parking garage

A car fire at a downtown parking garage has prompted the closure of a portion of 3rd Street Sunday afternoon.

Austin Fire Department officials said crews were called to the W Hotel parking garage at 200 Lavaca St. at around 2:45 p.m. Firefighters made quick work of the blaze as it was confined to a single vehicle and a sprinkler system helped dampen the flames before emergency workers’ arrival.

But the fire set off a series of related events led by the road closure at 3rd Street between Guadalupe and Lavaca streets. A nearby Starbucks at 3rd and Lavaca streets reportedly was evacuated as a precautionary measure.