Tag Archives: arson

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.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Arson fire at emergency shelter extinguished by sprinkler system (Saskatoon, SK)

An early morning fire at The Lighthouse emergency shelter and supported living center in downtown Saskatoon was extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system.  Fire officials say the fire was intentionally set. Fire crews were called to the building just after 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters arrived to find smoke and water on the second floor which was traced to the closet. No injuries were reported.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Sprinkler contains arson fire at high school (Havre de Grace, MD)

About 25 firefighters responded to a fire that was intentionally started in the boys’ bathroom of Aberdeen High School on December 3. The afternoon blaze was set by a 16-year old male who ignited the paper towel dispenser; the fire resulted in 1,400 students to be activated. The school’s fire sprinkler activated and kept the fire from spreading beyond the bathroom. Firefighters were able to put out the remaining fire within five minutes. There were no injuries reported.

** Blog Editor’s Note – Please let us know what you think of the coverage by The Baltimore Sun, which focused on water damage rather than the lives and property saved by the automatic fire sprinkler system**

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Sprinkler system controls arson fire at senior apartment building (Lancaster, PA)

City firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire, which was reported at 10:25 a.m. in the three-story Apartments at Mulberry Corners building. When firefighters arrived, the door to the woman’s third-floor apartment felt hot, said Chief Tim Gregg. The woman, whose identity was not available, was alone in the apartment, Gregg said. Firefighters helped her to exit and she was taken to the hospital, to be checked for injuries. The marshal ruled the fire was “incendiary” in nature, Gregg said. The fire was contained by the sprinkler system in the apartment building, he said. The apartment did not have extensive damage.Gregg praised the sprinkler system, saying it’s the “best fire safety device there is.” One sprinkler head was able to contain the entire fire, he noted. The Apartments at Mulberry Corners is a Housing Development Corporation building that contains 25 apartments for seniors ages 62 and older.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Fire extinguished at suspected arson incidents on college campus (Chestnut Hill, MA)

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Three fires were set in classrooms on Boston College over the weekend, and fire sprinklers put out the flames in each incident. Police are looking for a suspect in these cases. No injuries were reported.

***Blog Editor’s Note – Please let us know what you think of the coverage by WHDH.com, which focused on water damage rather than the lives and property saved by the automatic fire sprinkler system ***

Other - School / University, School / University

Sprinklers make the difference in arson fire at learning center (Las Vegas, NV)

Justice was served regarding the fire that was intentionally set on April 15 at a learning center for children with autism. The person responsible for setting the fire with gasoline and Molotov cocktails was sentenced on Friday, November 1. Authorities say that the fire could have been much more catastrophic had it not been for the building’s fire sprinkler system, which helped eliminate the blaze. No injuries were reported in the fire.