Tag Archives: arson

Department Store, Retail

Glen Burnie, MD – Fire at Toys ‘R’ Us impeded by sprinkler system

Apartment Building, Residential

Sun Valley, NV – Sprinklers control multiple arson fires at apartment complex

The Sparks Fire Department says fires at a Sun Valley apartment complex were intentionally set.  The fires started around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Boulder Creek Apartments.  Crews found that the internal fire sprinkler system had extinguished two fires in two separate areas of the unit.  A third fire was noticed in another room but had self-extinguished.

The call was reported to Sparks dispatch by the fire alarm monitoring company as water flow.  Fire crews found smoke coming out of the open entry door of one of the apartment units.  Firefighters found no one inside.  Sparks Fire says several people were evacuated, but have been allowed back into their units.  There were no reports of injuries.

College/University (on campus), School / University

North Vancouver, BC, Canada – Suspected arson fire at Capilano University contained by sprinkler system

North Vancouver RCMP are searching for suspects in a break-in and possible arson at Capilano University this morning.  Emergency crews were called to the university library shortly after midnight.

“On arrival, we noticed smoke in the library,” says Ast. Fire Chief Dave Burgess. “There was a small fire and the sprinkler had it deactivated.  The sprinkler controlled the fire and kept it to the area of origin.”

Investigators aren’t sure what may have been stolen from the library yet. They will examine video surveillance in an effort to identify any potential suspects. The University says they will be assessing the damage, but do not anticipate any class disruptions today.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Piscataway, NJ – Arson fire at Rutgers University put out by sprinkler system

The investigation determined that a former student set fire to a 30-foot section of the hallway and the adjoining classroom on the second floor of the ARC Building at 1:03 p.m. on Dec. 20. 

The fire was extinguished by an overhead sprinkler, but damaged portions of the hallway and the classroom.  The flash fire also set off an alarm, forcing the evacuation of 210 students who were taking a final exam in a first-floor auditorium located beneath the burning hallway.  No one was injured.

 

Hospital/Care Facility, Other - Hospital/Medical

Norman, OK – Intentionally set fire at mental health clinic controlled by sprinklers

Cleveland County sheriff’s deputies arrested a teenager in connection with a Thursday night fire at the Southern Plains Treatment Services, 310 12th Avenue NE.  The 17-year-old was charged Friday as a youthful offender with a felony count of first-degree arson in Cleveland County District Court.

Firefighters were notified of the blaze in a bathroom and laundry room at 9:13 p.m. When deputies questioned the juvenile suspect about the blaze, she admitted to starting the fire, according to an affidavit filed with the charge.

The girl told deputies she started the fire by piling a large group of towels next to the laundry room wall and setting it on fire. She said she acted alone and started the fire because she was “tired of being there and tired of the employees,” the affidavit said.

Video footage also shows the girl walking out of the laundry room after the fire was set, the document states.  There was fire damage limited to one wall in the room. The fire caused the sprinkler system and fire alarm to activate, the affidavit said.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Sprinkler contains overnight arson fire at elementary school (McAllen, TX)

Suspects broke into an elementary school, sprayed graffiti and started two classrooms on fire early Sunday morning. Firefighters responded to Dr. Pablo Perez Elementary School at 3:17 a.m. and took about 45 minutes to extinguish the fire, McAllen Fire Department Sector Capt. Javier Gutierrez said.

The fire was contained to the rooms with help from the school’s sprinkler system, he said, adding that fire investigators will be on scene at the school Monday to survey the damage. The school is still planning to be open, and the first grade students in the affected classrooms will be temporarily relocated.

 

Hospital/Care Facility, Hospital/Medical Clinic

Arson fire at hospital extinguished by automatic fire sprinkler system (Juneau, AK)

Juneau police say a 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fire at Bartlett Regional Hospital. Police say a 911 call from the hospital earlier Sunday reported that smoke, ashes and water were coming from a locked bathroom near the main lobby on the second floor. Police say the sprinkler system had extinguished the fire.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Suspected arson fire at popular cafe controlled by sprinkler system (Fairfield, CT)

Fairfield police and fire officials have launched a “significant investigation” into a blaze at the Seagrape Cafe on Reef Road that was originally believed to be accidental but now appears to be arson, officials said Monday.

At 4:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, Fairfield Fire Department received a water flow alarm from the Seagrape Cafe, indicating a sprinkler system had been activated, Assistant Fire Chief Christopher Tracy said. Engine 1 responded to a small alleyway behind the Seagrape that directly abuts the Inn at Fairfield Beach about six minutes after the alarm, reports said. According to fire officials, Engine 1 was able to feed a hose through an exhaust fan in the back of the building that was off of the room where the fire was being “kept in check” by the Seagrape’s sprinkler system.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Arson fire at high school controlled with help from sprinkler system (Norcross, GA)

One Gwinnett County high school student is out of jail on bond but the other remains on an immigration hold after their misguided prank at Meadowcreek High School backfired and got them charged with arson and committing a terroristic act. They are accused of setting toilet paper on fire in school bathrooms in September.  The fire caused the school sprinkler system to go off.