Tag Archives: arson

Apartment Building, Residential

San Pablo, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fireworks fire at apartment complex

A balcony fire at an apartment complex in San Pablo on Tuesday is suspected to have been caused by a teenager using illegal fireworks, fire officials said Thursday.

Arson investigators arrested the 16-year-old boy on Tuesday on suspicion of setting fire to an inhabited structure and possession of dangerous fireworks, spokesman Steve Hill of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District said.

Fire investigators determined that a 5-inch mortar firework caused the blaze, Hill said.

Authorities did not identify the 16-year-old because he’s a minor. They released him into the custody of his parents.

The fire happened on the balcony of a unit in the 15000 block of Crestwood Drive. Hill said people who reported the blaze on the deck also reported hearing an explosion. Crews kept the blaze from spreading to the inside and were helped by a fire sprinkler at the apartment.

The unit suffered extensive smoke and water damage, Hill said.

Investigators said the mortar was set off on the second-story balcony and they identified the suspect as the resident of the apartment unit, Hill said. They also found more of the same kind of fireworks in the unit. Crews removed those, he said.

The case will be prosecuted through the juvenile courts, and Hill said the the district will refer him to the Youth Fire Setter Program.

All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County, including safe-and-sane ones such as sparklers.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Las Vegas, NV – Sprinkler system activated for fire at Walmart; No injuries reported

On June 14 at about 4:36 pm Clark County Fire department says it received multiple calls of a fire inside Walmart located on Boulder Highway near Harmon Avenue.

A high-level response was dispatched consisting of 7 engines, 2 trucks, 2 rescues, and 2 battalion chiefs.

Prior to fire units arriving, CCFD says it was reported that a suspect was in custody. It was later clarified that the person had gotten away.

Fire command says they requested fire investigators respond upon being notified of this information.

CCFD says the store’s fire sprinkler system was activated preventing the spread of the fire.

Crews made entry and extinguished the fire and secured the sprinkler system, preventing further damage due to water.

A primary and secondary life search was conducted and found to be all clear.

There were no reported injuries.

This is still an active scene with crews still on-site, fire investigators have arrived and started their investigation.

Damages have not been estimated yet.

In all, 57 CCFD personnel responded.

This does appear to be related to other fires that have occurred at Walmarts throughout the city, but this is an ongoing investigation and a suspect has not been identified.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Laredo, TX – Sprinkler system activated for suspected arson fire at hotel

Arson is suspected in a fire reported at a local hotel, according to the Laredo Fire Department.

LFD crews responded to a structure fire at about 3:26 a.m. on June 1 at the Amerik Suites in the 6500 Block of Metro Court. Firefighters said they encountered an active fire on the first floor bathroom and the west wing hallway.

First responders said the fire activated the sprinkler system, causing flooding to the affected area. There was minimal fire damage to the building, according to first responders.

The building was evacuated at the time of the incident. A fire watch was initiated until the sprinkler system was reactivated. Crews turned over the building to hotel management.

LFD officials are investigating the fire as a possible arson. To provide information on the case, call 795-2800 or Laredo Crime Stoppers at 727-TIPS (8477). Information provided via Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Apartment Building, Residential

Springfield, MA – Sprinkler system quickly extinguishes arson fire in apartment building; No injuries reported

The fire Tuesday morning at the former Indian Motorcycle building on State Street in Springfield was intentionally set, fire officials report. 

According to Captain Drew Piemonte, with the Springfield Fire Department, the fire was called in at 10:45 a.m. 

Piemonte tells Western Mass News the sprinkler system in the building quickly extinguished the flames.

“Sprinklers kept the fire in check,” Piemonte explained.

No injuries have been reported.

Firefighters were on scene checking for any extension of the fire to make sure there were no flare ups.

Piemonte confirms damage was contained to the room of origin…” it was a bedroom,” he noted. 

The Springfield Arson And Bomb Squad has been investigating this fire.

“..(the) Squad has determined that there was two separate fires in the apartment that were intentionally set,” Piemonte told us. 

The building, which was once part of the Indian Motorcycle Company, now houses apartments. 

At this time no arrests have been made and the investigation continues.

Primary / Secondary School, School / University

Plainfield, IL – Arson fire at middle school extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A fire at a Plainfield Middle School ended with an arson investigation. It was at 8:11am that the Plainfield Fire Protection District and the Plainfield Police Department were called to Ira Jones Middle School in regards to a fire alarm. Upon arriving personnel was able to located and isolate the fire to a first-floor bathroom and was extinguished by the sprinkler system. During the investigation into the cause of the fire, investigators identified a fourteen-year-old male student as the individual who started the fire. During an interview, he admitted, to using a lighter to ignite a paper towel within the dispenser. He believed he extinguished the fire, left the restroom and returned to his class. A short time later, the fire alarm was activated.

No injures were reported as a result of the fire. Students and staff were briefly relocated to C.W. Avery Family YMCA and at the discretion of school personnel, the students were reunited with their parents. There was a significant amount of water and smoke damager to the school according the Police , which has resulted in its closing. It will remain closed until further notice. Additionally, students will be in remote learning until further notice.

Criminal charges are pending as the investigation is still active.

Apartment Building, Residential

Poughkeepsie, NY – Suspected arson fire extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

City of Poughkeepsie firefighters responded to an early morning sprinkler alarm at 60 Carroll Street at 4:10 a.m. on Monday morning.  The first arriving firefighters immediately observed a heavy odor of gasoline when they entered the building less than four minutes after receiving the alarm.

When the firefighters reached the second-floor of the building, with the gasoline odor even more noticeable, they observed a charred trail where a fire had been burning, until the sprinkler system had extinguished it.

Fire officials said that most of the building’s occupants had evacuated the building when the alarm activated in the building.  As they continued their inspection, firefighters discovered that an entry door to a specific apartment had sustained fire damage prior to their arrival.

The initial investigation indicates that an accelerant, presumably gasoline, was poured in the second-floor hallway, and intentionally ignited.  The sprinkler system extinguished the fire.  The City of Poughkeepsie Police were called to the scene to investigate the possible criminal act.

No injuries were reported.  Officials noted that ceiling tiles on the first floor had sustained water damage from the sprinklers and fell to the floor.

Over the past several weeks, the fire department has responded to several calls at the address.  On one occasion, a gas can was placed in the building and evidence indicates that an attempt to ignite it had occurred.  On another date, firefighters responded to a similar call.

City of Poughkeepsie Police have responded to the building several times in recent weeks as well.  On one date, they responded to a call of gunfire that resulted in bullets entering an occupied apartment.  More recently, a drug raid was conducted at an apartment in the building, resulting in a seizure of guns, drugs, and cash.  Arrests were made during that incident.

Sources have told Mid Hudson News that the police are investigating the Monday morning fire as a possible arson.  Anyone with information is asked to call 845-451-7577.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Austin, TX – Arson Fire on 10th floor of Driskill Hotel extinguished by sprinkler system

There was a small fire on the 10th floor of the historic Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin Monday morning.

The Austin Fire Department says the hotel’s sprinkler system extinguished the fire. Only one room was impacted by the fire. Fire crews are now working to reduce any smoke or water damage.

The hotel has been evacuated and there are street closures along Brazos Street between Sixth and Seventh streets.

So far the cause of the fire is not yet known.

Apartment Building, Residential

Harrisonburg, VA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at apartment complex

The Harrisonburg Fire Department (HFD) says a Broadway man has been arrested in connection with a recent structure fire that officials believe appears to be intentionally set.

Officials say units from HPD, the Rockingham County Fire Rescue, the Harrisonburg Police Department and the Harrisonburg Rescue Squad were dispatched to the 2400 block of Silverbell Drive at approximately 1:10 a.m. on Sunday, April 18 for a reported structure fire.

Crews say smoke was coming from a ground-floor apartment. A fire was found inside, and had been controlled by a fire sprinkler.

Officials say no victims were found during a search, although two dogs were safely evacuated. During an investigation, officials say information was found that suggested the fire was intentionally set.

Officials say Marlon A. Organ, Jr., of Broadway, was arrested in connection with the fire and charged with burning or destroying a dwelling. Organ was committed to the Rockingham County Jail.

Due to the ongoing investigation, officials say specific information about the fire, including origin and cause, will not be released. Stay with WHSV for updates.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

San Rafael, CA – Arson fire at restaurant extinguished by sprinkler system

An arson investigation is underway after a San Rafael restaurant was set on fire Tuesday night, fire officials said Friday.

Fire crews responded at about 11 p.m. to a commercial building on Bellam Boulevard, in which a restaurant is located.

Firefighters discovered that someone broke into the restaurant and spread flammable liquid before lighting it.

The fire triggered the sprinkler system, which put out the fire before a lot of fire damage was done, according to fire officials.

Video surveillance captured at least one image of someone setting the fire, fire officials said.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Las Vegas, NV – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at Walmart

Fire investigators believe a Sunday night fire at the Walmart Supercenter on at Charleston and Decatur boulevards was “intentionally set.”

The fire started just before 8 p.m. in the rear of the store in the paper towel aisle creating a large amount of smoke. According to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, automatic fire sprinklers quickly helped douse the flames.

When fire crews arrived at the scene, people were already in the process of evacuating the store. One person was injured when they tripped and fell during the evacuation. That person was treated by paramedics and transported to the hospital.

Damage was estimated at $200,000, mostly due to smoke damaging items in the store. Structural damage was estimated at less than $10,000. Firefighters and employees of Walmart worked quickly to make sure water from the sprinkler system did not damage the store further.