Tag Archives: arson

Apartment Building, Residential

Norcross, GA – Sprinkler system helps contain apartment fire; Woman charged with arson

A Norcross woman has been charged with arson after allegedly setting her own bed on fire, Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services said.  Mirtha Valcin, 29, was arrested Sept. 6 in connection with the Aug. 26 fire at The Retreat at Arc Way Apartments in Norcross.

Firefighters responded to the apartment complex around 9 p.m. on Aug. 26 and found Valcin’s bedroom extensively damaged by the fire. The flames had been contained to the mattress and headboard, but caused damage to items throughout the room and sent smoke through the entire apartment, the department said in a release.

There was also a smaller fire in the laundry room that appeared to have started with a pile of clothes. That triggered a sprinkler system to go off, causing water damage, according to the department.  Valcin told firefighters she fell asleep and discovered the fire when she was awoken by a noise, the department said. She was the only one in the apartment at the time of the fire and lives alone, according to the department.

Valcin’s story changed in a follow-up interview, according to fire investigators, leading her to be charged with arson. The department is not releasing information about how the fire was set or Valcin’s alleged motive at this time, a release says.  Valcin is being held at the Gwinnett County Jail on $27,700 bond.

Restaurant

San Diego, CA – Arson fire at restaurant in Gaslamp District put out by sprinkler system

A 21-year-old Marine was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of starting a fire that resulted in $25,000 in damage a restaurant in the Gaslamp District, authorities said.  The blaze at Blue Point Coastal Cuisine at 565 Fifth Ave. near Market Street was reported around 1:45 a.m. and was quickly doused by the building’s sprinkler system, San Diego Fire-Rescue spokeswoman Monica Munoz said.

Investigators determined that the fire was started in the back of the restaurant, which was closed at the time, by an allegedly intoxicated man who was not an employee of the eatery, Munoz said. The suspect came in through an open door, started vandalizing the restaurant and set a few fires in the back, Munoz alleged.  Police identified the suspect as Austin Kokin, a Marine Corps corporal. He was arrested near the eatery and booked into the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of burglary, arson, carrying a concealed dirk or dagger and vandalism, San Diego police public affairs Officer Billy Hernandez said.

Other - Retail, Retail

Jackson Hole, WY – Arson fire at gas station limited by working sprinkler system

Someone started a fire at the West Broadway Phillips 66 gas station early Wednesday morning, and police need help identifying a man who was caught on surveillance video.  The fire triggered the gas station’s sprinkler system, so little damage was caused.  Police said it happened after 3 a.m. just outside the business’ front door, where a pallet of firewood sits.  In the video, the man can be seen walking back and forth near the entryway.

He appears to be in his mid-20s with long, brown hair. He was riding a black mountain bike, police said.  Police and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS responded, but the sprinklers took care of the flames.  “The only property damage the gas station received was a pallet of firewood, but the fire could have been more severe if a sprinkler system wasn’t located above the pallet,” said Detective Jason Figueroa. “The subject was out of camera view for a few minutes before leaving. He was the only person to be seen at the gas station before the police and fire department arrived to put out the fire.”

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Chief Brady Hansen said arson calls aren’t typical in Jackson.  “In our history, it has occurred, but it is not a common issue,” he said  If you recognize the man or have information about the fire, you’re asked to call the Jackson Police Department at 733-1430 and ask for Detective Figueroa.

Retail

Tulsa, OK – Sprinkler system helps control intentionally set fire during armed robbery, stand-off with police

Police are questioning a man they arrested after a three-hour standoff at the Dollar General near Admiral and Harvard.
Investigators say Treveon Vaughn also confessed to several other robberies this year.  Police said around 8:00 Friday morning, a man armed with a gun and dressed in black went into the store to rob it. The employees were able to escape, leaving the suspect inside the store alone.

Police also believe a getaway driver left Vaughn at the scene. Tactical teams got in place, guns were drawn, and the police chopper flew above as Tulsa’s Special Operations Team worked to get the robbery suspect out of the store.  “You don’t have to rob, steal and kill from people just to get what you want. There’s help out there,” witness Crystal Turner said.  She said her cousin was one of the cashiers who was inside when it happened.

“I don’t know why people can’t get jobs instead of robbing, stealing and killing from people. It’s sad,” Turner said.  During the three-hour standoff, police said Vaughn started a fire, activating the store’s sprinkler system, so police called in the fire department.  “We see cops up here about two to three times a week just for Dollar General,” witness Fred Lollis said.  Lollis and his wife couldn’t help but wondered what the commotion was.

“I do know that there’s a lot of stuff that happens at the Dollar General, and the store manager is always having to come out and chase people down almost daily,” he said.

Vaughn eventually surrendered peacefully.  “He did come out of the store peacefully which is what we wanted to happen,” Officer Jeanne Mackenzie said. “We wanted him to come out. We didn’t want anybody hurt or injured. We didn’t want the officers hurt or injured, so it was a very successful operation for us.”  Police are still looking for the get-away driver.

Apartment Building, Residential

Lewisville, TX – Sprinkler system activated in arson fire at apartment building

A man remains in jail after he threatened, and then followed through with, setting his girlfriend’s apartment on fire.

Josh Manning was arrested and charged with arson. He remains in the Denton County jail in lieu of $26,500 in bonds. He also was charged with probation revocation for driving while intoxicated with a child under 15 years old.

According to the probable cause for Manning, around 3:35 a.m. July 1 firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire at Valley Ridge Apartment Homes, 1000 Valley Ridge Boulevard. Firefighters arrived to find light smoke showing from the second floor balcony.

When crews entered the apartment, the fire sprinkler above the couch in the living room was spraying water. Crews also found a smoldering fire in the living room on the floor and couch.

When firefighters began investigating, they found fire damage surrounding a tray table, on the carpet, the couch and smoke and water damage throughout the apartment. They also found what was possibly a roll of paper towels and a cloth towel that had fire damage, according to the affidavit.

Lewisville Fire Department Division Chief Mark Richards responded and interviewed the woman who lived in the apartment. She said her ex-boyfriend, Manning, came to her apartment to visit their daughter. She said everything was fine until he got a phone call. After that, the two began arguing, and Manning threatened to burn her apartment.

At that point, she left the apartment with her daughter. According to the affidavit, Manning began sending her threatening text messages.

As she was driving, Manning sent her another text that showed a fire in her living room, according to the affidavit. She came back home and saw smoke on the second floor breezeway and on her balcony.

Later that morning, around 9:35 a.m., Lewisville police officers located Manning. Richards responded to the location, and Manning agreed to speak with him. When asked about the fire earlier that morning, Manning said he didn’t know anything, according to the affidavit.

When confronted with the photos of the fire and threatening texts, Manning turned around, put his hands behind his back and refused to answer more questions, according to the affidavit.

Manning, who is homeless, was deemed a flight risk and was then arrested for starting the fire, according to the affidavit. The affidavit stated, “Manning was reckless about whether the burning would endanger the life of some individual or the safety or the property of another.”

Richards said if not for the fire sprinkler system the fire would have consumed the apartment, risking the lives of multiple families. In the end, the fire was about $70,000 in damage.

Retail

Lawton, OK – Arson fire at Dollar Tree last month put out with help from sprinkler system

A Lawton man is now charged with arson after police say he started a fire in a Lawton store last month.  Police say 20-year-old Thompson Williams is the man who was caught on surveillance video setting a fire inside the Dollar Tree on 2nd street on July 15th.  They say his arson attempt failed because an employee using a fire extinguisher and the store’s sprinkler system put out the flames.  Williams is charged with fourth degree arson, and is set to appear in court in October.

Retail

Santa Maria, CA – Arson fire at discount store held in check by sprinkler system

Arson is suspected in a fire at the Fallas department store in Santa Maria Tuesday night that forced employees to flee and activated the store’s sprinkler system causing major damage to inventory.  The fire started just after 10:00 p.m. with Santa Maria firefighters arriving within minutes to find smoke billowing out of the roof of the building in the Town Center West shopping center.  Employees were working in the store at the time of the fire and managed to evacuate the building without injury.  Investigators believe the fire started on the second floor of the two-story building and by the time firefighters made it there, the building’s fire sprinkler system had activated.

“Fire sprinklers did keep the fire in check which allowed our crews to fully extinguish it”, said Santa Maria Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Mike Farmer, “we went into salvage and overhaul operations
after that to remove the smoke and lessen the water damage as much as we could.”

Water from the fire sprinklers damaged clothing, household goods and other items in the store which is expected to remain closed on Wednesday for the cleanup.

Investigators from the Santa Maria Fire Dept. and the Santa Maria Police Dept. are investigating the suspected arson fire.

Government/Military, Other-Government/Military

Toronto, ON, Canada – Arson fire at historic building controlled by sprinkler system

Police have taken over the investigation into a fire at Old City Hall on Monday night after investigators determined that it was deliberately set.

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg told CP24 on Tuesday morning that investigators with the Ontario Fire Marshal and Toronto Fire Services made the ruling after wrapping up an extensive investigation at the historic building at around 4:30 a.m.

“I can confirm that the fire was intentionally set. It is now in the hands of the detective at Toronto police,” he said.

The one-alarm blaze broke out in the southeast corner of Old City Hall at around 8 p.m.

Pegg said that crews first became aware of the fire after the building’s sprinkler system went off.

He said that the damage from the blaze is estimated at about $100,000, which he called “extraordinarily low” given the circumstances.

“We are very fortunate that that this building has sprinklers and that the system worked as designed. It would have been a much different scenario had that not been the case,”: he said. “We had three sprinkler heads activate last night. The sprinkler system controls the growth, development and spread of the fire so in essence it keeps it in check until our firefighters arrive and can suppress the fire.”

Pegg said that there is smoke and water damage from the fire but no structural damage.

According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of the Attorney General, the fire impacted the Provincial Offences Act appeals office but did not damage any paperwork related to criminal cases.

“The Provincial Offences Act appeals office and matters scheduled in one courtroom have been moved within the building. The courts remain operational at this time,” Brian Gray said.

No information has been released about potential suspects at this point.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Lakewood, WA – Arson fire at casino contained by sprinkler system

On Monday, July 9th at approximately 7:05 p.m., West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire at the Macau Casino, located at 9811 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood. Reports came in as smoke being present in the building and the building was in the process of being evacuated. Crews arrived and determined upon entry the fire was in the women’s restroom. The sprinkler system in the building contained the fire to the restroom and saved the structure, as well as the occupants inside. Without the automatic sprinkler system in place, the fire would have quickly spread and the incident would have been much larger.

West Pierce Fire & Rescue investigators determined the fire was set intentionally and the Lakewood Police Department is investigating.

Government/Military, Prison / Jail

Terre Haute, IN – Arson fire at correctional facility contained by sprinkler system

The surveillance pictures clearly show a man walking around the offices but he took steps to hide his face and disguise his identity. 

Wearing dark clothing, gloves, and a ski mask, the suspect broke into the Community Corrections Center and then wandered the halls and offices spreading an accelerant with a spray bottle.

“The fire itself placed a lot of people in danger. There was approximately 56 offenders, 54 in the building at the time. I also had 3 or 4 staff here.” said Bill Watson, Executive Director of Community Corrections. 

Smoke alarms alerted everyone to get out, which they did safely, and the building’s sprinkler system poured water on the blaze. Firefighters arrived to finish the job.

Vigo County law enforcement has a message for those who commit these types of crimes:

“People out there that do bad things need to know that they’re not going to get away with it. We’re going to keep looking for you and trying to find you to bring you to justice. This is another example of a law enforcement agency being targeted.” says Norm Loudermilk, Fire Investigator.

Damage was mostly caused by smoke and water. Officials were able to get cleaning crews inside to immediately start putting things back in order.

“A lot of people came together this morning to resolve a bad situation that could have been a lot harder”, Bill Watson.

Even though the suspect covered his face, investigators hope someone will recognize his build, walk, or some other characteristic.

 Anyone with information is asked to call the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department.