Tag Archives: arson

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Winnipeg, MB, Canada – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at restaurant

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A fire has forced downtown Winnipeg restaurant Commonwealth to temporarily close for repairs.

The restaurant, located at the corner of McDermot Avenue and Main Street, sustained damage after someone reportedly broke a window with bricks and started a fire inside, according to a Facebook post on Thursday by managing partner Nikola Maharajh.

The post said the building’s sprinkler system was triggered by the fire, causing additional damage.

Maharajh added that the restaurant may remain closed for “a few weeks, if not months.”

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Fernandina Beach, FL – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at restaurant

Fernandina Beach’s fire chief said it’s critical that a man seen on video setting a fire at Sliders Seaside Grill be identified and stopped.

Chief Jeremy Holmes said the lead investigators “believe the suspect may be responsible for setting fires in other areas around Fernandina Beach. It’s critical that he is caught before someone is seriously injured.”

“The business was closed at the time of the fire, which had multiple points of origin,” Holmes said. “Thankfully, firefighters and the building’s sprinkler system were able to contain it — the situation could have been much worse.”

It’s unclear how much damage was caused, but a phone call to the restaurant confirmed they were still open that afternoon.

Mitchell Aarons, a manager, told News4Jax that his bosses were there all night working on the aftermath. He said the man broke in through the back door and reached for a bottle of alcohol behind the counter before going back through the kitchen and started setting things on fire.

Police Chief Jeffrey Tambasco, whose department is handling the investigation in coordination with the Florida Fire Marshal’s Office, said they responded shortly after 1 a.m. on June 20 to the 1998 S. Fletcher Ave. tiki bar and restaurant. After firefighters extinguished the flames, it was determined through security video that the fire was arson.

A man described as middle-aged with a tattoo on the side of his calf and wearing shots, a T-shirt and baseball cap is seen using presumably a lighter to set an umbrella on fire in a patio area, glancing at it a couple of seconds and walking away. The Police Department said it is believed he lives in the area of First Avenue in Fernandina.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Harrisonburg, VA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at hotel

A Harrisonburg man has been arrested for intentionally setting a fire in a hotel room earlier this week.

John Wesley Whitaker Jr. was taken into custody by the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office, after allegedly admitting to starting the fire.

Harrisonburg Fire Department units were dispatched Tuesday for a fire alarm in the 1400 block of East Market Street.

While enroute, the incident was upgraded to a structure fire with smoke coming from one of the rooms. Units arrived at the location in under two minutes and found a fire contained by a functioning fire sprinkler system.

Fire department personnel were able to quickly extinguish the fire, and water and smoke damage were limited.

The hotel was evacuated temporarily while personnel confirmed the fire was extinguished.

Whitaker was initially transported to the hospital for evaluation before being released and then taken into custody.

He was charged with multiple felonies including:

  • Section 18.2-77 Burning or destroying a dwelling house, etc. (attempted)
  • Section 18.2-81 Burning or destroying personal property

“Starting a fire an in occupied building is an extremely serious matter,” said Captain Luke Walker with the HFD Fire Marshal Office. “We would like to thank the Commonwealth’s Attorney for their willingness to support the pursuit of these charges, as well as the Harrisonburg Police Department and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office for their support during the investigation.”

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Coeymans, NY – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at elementary school

A fire in Pieter B. Coeymans Elementary School was purposely ignited, according to the superintendent of schools. The fire was set in an upstairs boys’ bathroom on Tuesday.

Superintendent Brian Bailey said the student will be held accountable for their actions.

The school’s sprinkler system put out the fire, but smoke spread throughout the building. There was also water damage on the first and second floors. The school was evacuated, and the building was closed on Wednesday for cleaning by a fire remediation team.

The bathroom where the fire occurred and the bathroom immediately below it will remain closed as cleaning and repairs continue.

Apartment Building, Residential

Austin, TX – Sprinkler system controlled arson fire at apartment complex

The Austin Fire Department (AFD) responded to the apartment complex located at 10010 N Capital of Texas Highway SB at approximately 8:33 p.m. on Sunday, December 8 for a report of a fire in a bedroom.

Austin Police Department (APD) personnel were on scene for a check welfare call at the residence and directed fire crews to the scene. The fire had been brought under control by the building’s fire sprinkler system. Crews finished extinguishing the flames and reset the sprinkler system before the scene was turned over to AFD Investigations.

Fire investigators processed the scene and spoke with Steve Manor, the apartment’s resident, who had been detained by APD. Mr. Manor confessed to intentionally starting the fire to elicit a response from APD or AFD. The physical evidence at the scene validated Manor’s admission.

Steve Manor was transported to the Travis County Jail. He has been charged with arson, a state jail felony. His bond has been set at $15,000.

The damaged to the residence and contents are estimated to be approximately $12,000.

Fire / Police Station, Government/Military

Westboro, MA – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire at police station; No injuries reported

A woman whom an officer transported to the Westboro Police Station to wait for a ride after a car accident set a fire in the lobby, police say.

Investigators said surveillance video shows Theresa Abichaker, of West Roxbury, setting a clothing donation box on fire and then taking off.

No one was hurt and the sprinkler system extinguished the fire. The Westboro Fire Department responded to the scene and confirmed the fire was out.

Police searched the area, using drones and K9s to find the suspect. She is facing four charges and was ordered to have a mental health evaluation.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Richmond Hill, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system extinguishes arson fire at cinema; No injuries reported

Police have released new video footage that appears to show two suspects using Molotov cocktails to start a fire inside a Richmond Hill cinema while movie-goers were still inside.

The incident happened at a cinema near East Beaver Creek Road and Highway 7 at around 11:10 p.m. on Sunday.

In the video released by police, two suspects are seen arriving at the theatre in a grey SUV and then walking into its lobby.

One of the suspects then places a bag on the ground beside some movie posters.

At that point, both suspects light what appear to be Molotov cocktails and toss them at the bag, causing it to ignite.

The suspects then run out of the theatre and get into the awaiting SUV, which speeds away from the scene.

The whole incident unfolds in approximately 22 seconds.

Police say that the sprinkler system was activated and extinguished the fire.

“There were occupants in a second-floor theatre, however, there were no injuries,” a press release issued on Tuesday notes.

Police say that the vehicle that the suspect arrived in is a grey Acura RDX that was reported stolen in Toronto two days prior.

Police say the first suspect had a medium build and was last seen wearing black shoes, black pants, a black hooded sweatshirt with a white shirt underneath, black gloves and a mask.

The second suspect is also described as having a medium build. He was last seen wearing white shoes, black pants, a grey hooded sweatshirt, black gloves and a mask.

Police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Apartment Building, Residential

New Orleans, LA – Sprinkler system contains arson fire at apartment building

New Orleans police are searching for a middle-aged man suspected of setting fire to an apartment in the Iberville neighborhood late Saturday, resulting in one injury.

According to the New Orleans Fire Department, firefighters responded to a 911 call at 11:43 p.m. about a fire at 1570 Conti Street. Nineteen firefighters arrived in seven units and found light smoke and minor fire damage throughout the apartment. The building’s sprinkler system had mostly contained the flames by the time firefighters arrived, and the fire was under control by 11:55 p.m., the NOFD said.

A man was taken to University Medical Center to be treated for minor smoke inhalation. The injured man told authorities that a friend, also middle-aged, set the apartment on fire after an argument. New Orleans police have identified the suspect, who is wanted on an aggravated arson charge, and are actively searching for him.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Rosemont, IL – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at Target

Charges have been filed in an arson at a Target store in northwest suburban Rosemont.

Flames broke out just before noon this past Thursday at the Target at 7000 Mannheim Rd. next to the Allstate Arena.

Store employees tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher before firefighters arrived, and multiple sprinkler heads started up.

The Rosemont Public Safety Department and several local fire departments responded to the scene, and found the fire near the diaper aisle. Everyone in the building left, and no one had to be hospitalized.

However, the store sustained major damage due to smoke, fire, and water used to put out the fire. Smoke damage extended beyond the area of the fire to include most of the store, police said.

Merchandise worth $1.5 million was lost, police said.

Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division 20 Arson investigators, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Rosemont police detectives launched an investigation right away. A suspect was quickly identified and tracked down in Elk Grove Village, police said.

Denny Ellis, 56, of Nevada, was charged on Saturday with aggravated arson. He made his first court appearance on Sunday, and was being held by the Cook County Sheriff’s office.

The Target remained closed as of Sunday due to damage inside and cleanup.

On Sept. 28, 2023, a fire was set inside the Target store at 1 S. State St. in the Loop. Sprinklers put out the fire at the downtown Target.

In that incident, Ronald Langley was charged with aggravated arson. According to court records, Langley was caught on video taking a can of WD-40 and lighting a blanket on fire on the second floor of the store.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Rockford, IL – Sprinkler system activated for suspected arson fire at café; No injuries reported

Rockford Police are investigating an attempted arson at Wired Cafe. 

Rockford Fire Department responded to Wired Cafe after reports of a fire before 7 a.m. Sunday morning.

Tenants living above the cafe were awoken from their sleep by the sound of the fire alarm and quickly called 911 after noticing smoke coming from the back door of the establishment.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that the activation of the sprinkler system had significantly mitigated the spread of the fire. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the remaining flames, limiting the damage to the cafe itself.

No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters. Damage is estimated at $30,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Rockford Fire Department Capt. John J. Hall tells 13 WREX Rockford Police are investigating a break in at the business that occurred prior to the fire.

Rockford Police Department confirms this is an arson investigation.