Tag Archives: arson

College/University (on campus), School / University

Sprinklers control college bathroom fire started by arsonist (Fort Pierce, FL)

Fort Pierce police arrested an 18-year-old student for the arson fire that started in an upstairs bathroom at Indian River State College Tuesday morning.  Respondents to a 911 call found a bathroom trash can on fire, which caused the fire sprinklers and alarm to go off.  Police said school administrators alerted them to a possible suspect, who was taken in for questioning.

Other - Retail, Retail

Sprinklers make the difference in arson incident at jewelry store (Fresno, CA)

On Tuesday, June 3, a fire was intentionally set in the basement of a building that housed a jewelry store. Arriving firefighters found that three fires had been started and extinguished by the building’s fire sprinkler system; the gas line had also been cut. Fresno Fire Department Koby Johns said that it was very fortunate that the building was equipped with a fire sprinkler system. 

No injuries were reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

Sprinklers prevent damage and injury in arson fire at apartment (Salt Lake City, UT)

Police and fire crews were called to a fire at an apartment complex on Saturday at about 3 a.m. The fire was set intentionally by the resident when she set her bed on fire. The fire sprinkler in the apartment unit contained the flames. According to the Salt Lake City fire officials, the sprinklers prevented a potentially deadly situation. No injuries were reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

Fire sprinklers save property and lives from arson fire (Harrisburg, PA)

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Investigators are reporting that a fire that began in a vacant apartment was intentionally set on Thursday morning. Fire Chief Brian Enterline said that the fire sprinkler system had not only prevented significant property loss, but possibly saved several lives. At the time of the fire, firefighters were already suppressing a fire at another location; two city units as well as surrounding fire companies were sent out to cover the apartment fire. Enterline also said that had it not been for the fire sprinklers, the fire would have spread throughout the apartment before it would have been discovered. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Other - Retail, Retail

Sprinkler helps to control arson fire at popular retail & entertainment venue (Las Vegas, NV)

A man was arrested and charged with first degree arson after allegedly setting fire to the loading dock, recycle area that services Neonopolis on the Fremont Street Experience Thursday morning. Fire dispatchers received the call at 3:09 a.m. Thursday that trash and a dumpster was on fire at the loading dock area for Neonopolis, which is a shopping mall and entertainment complex in Las Vegas, located on top of a $15 million city parking garage. After the fire started, a fire sprinkler activated and kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived on scene and put the fire completely out.  Damage was confined to the dumpster area.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Sprinklers extinguish multiple fires set by arsonists at a high school (Kusa, CO)

Police are looking for the three individuals who broke into, vandalized, and ignited a fire at a high school after midnight on January 13. The vandals broke some windows in the school, vandalized the computer lab, and started multiple fires in the band room. The school’s fire sprinkler extinguished the fire before it could spread to other classrooms. No one was injured in the blaze.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Sprinklers prove worth in nightclub fire set by arsonist (Seattle, WA)

A fire which began soon after midnight on New Year’s Day caused the Seattle Fire Department’s Ladder 10 to be called to the scene. The nightclub’s estimated 750 patrons were able to evacuate safely, and one of them used a fire extinguisher to put out some of the flames. The facility’s fire sprinkler system then completely put out the fire. The Seattle Police Department said that the cause of the fire was arson and the unknown perpetrator appeared to have poured gasoline on the carpeted stairway between the first and second level.