Tag Archives: arson

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Las Vegas, NV – Fire sprinklers saved building after suspected arson

A fire that burned through a local dentist office has been ruled it may have been caused by arson, according to Las Vegas fire Investigators.

Crews spent Thursday morning and most of the evening gutting ABLE Dental, located in the Dona Maria Plaza on North Tenaya Way.

Also, because the fire was so intense, the next door business of Africa Sanchez Attorney’s office was damaged by water.

Receptionist Jhonnathan Lopez told 13 Action News that several boxes were drenched, and the smell of smoke permeated the air, forcing them to close the office for at least a day.

“It’s the inconvenience, you know?” Lopez said. “We had a full calendar of appointments today, and we had to reschedule everyone.”

Tim Szymanski, with Las Vegas Fire and Rescue, said the fire burned so hot and so fast that the flames activated several ceiling sprinklers when naturally occurring fires usually activate just two.

“This is a complex fire here,” Szymanski said.

He said sprinklers activate when temperatures reach between 155 and 165 degrees, and with so many activating at the same time it was immediately suspicious.

“It would be similar to someone maybe throwing a match into a barbecue,” Szymanski said. “You get that big poof.”

Szymanski also said that without the sprinkler system, a third of the complex likely would have burned to the ground.

Property owner Nezira Johnson swore by the sprinkler system that may have saved her a lot of work rebuilding.

“It saved our building,” Johnson said. “I think it would have burned down at least half.”

She estimated her repair bill would reach six figures, but was confident that her insurance would cover the majority of the cost.

Other - School / University, School / University

Meadville, PA – Fire started by students in paint mixing room quickly stopped from spreading by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

A fire set intentionally by students at the Crawford County Career and Technical Center on Thursday was extinguished almost immediately by the facility’s sprinkler system, according to Chief Evan Hasko of Meadville Central Fire Department.

The fire, which was reported at 8:58 a.m., was contained to a paint mixing room in the school’s auto collision technology department, according to Hasko and Crawford County 911.

“We had a little incident at the vo-tech this morning,” Hasko said. “The sprinkler system did what it was supposed to do.

No one was injured, Hasko said, and the damage, primarily caused by the water that extinguished the fire, was minimal.

Hasko described the paint mixing area where the students set the fire as a booth not quite 8-by-10 feet in area.  

Firefighters checked that the fire had been completely extinguished and shut off the water supply to the sprinkler system when they arrived, according to Hasko.

Three students were involved in setting the fire, Hasko said, and they were “turned over to school officials and law enforcement to handle.”

Hasko declined to identify the students, citing their status as minors.

“They fessed up,” Hasko said of the students. “I’m sure their parents aren’t going to be happy to get a call.”

Auto Dealership, Retail

Grand Forks, ND – Auto dealership fire set by employee stopped by fire sprinklers

Grand Forks police say an employee of an auto dealership was arrested after he deliberately lit some gas on fire which had been spilled on the floor of a shop area.

25-year old Jobe Lunski, of Ardoch, North Dakota, was arrested on a charge of endangerment by fire.

Police say the ignited gas created a significant flash fire that caused minor injuries to another employee and damage to a customer’s vehicle and the building’s structure

Firefighters who responded to Lithia Ford at 2273 32nd Avenue South Wednesday afternoon found the fire has already been extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Houston, TX – Suspected arson fire at grocery store extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office needs your help finding an arson suspect so bold, he or she set a store on fire in the middle of the afternoon.

New video shows a mystery person set multiple small fires along the back wall of the 99 Cents Only store on SH-249 near Bammel North Houston Road.

Authorities said a sprinkler head activated and put out the flames. There were no injuries.

If you have any information on the suspect, call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. You can also submit an anonymous tip at www.Crime-Stoppers.org.

Auto Dealership, Retail

Studio City, CA – Fire that started after woman crashed car into dealership is contained with help from sprinkler system

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A woman in her 20s was taken into custody after crashing her car into the glass window of the Century West BMW dealership around 2:00 a.m. the Los Angeles Police Department noted on Wednesday, April 24. The woman was taken into custody by authorities on suspicion of driving under the influence at the time of the crash. Surveillance video captured in incident. The red four-door Subaru stopped half way inside the building before catching fire and activating the sprinkler system. The woman can be seen getting out of the vehicle and walking away. There were no reports of any serious injuries during the incident. The identity of the driver has not been disclosed to the public. The Los Angeles Fire Department, responded to the scene and extinguished the fire on Lankershim Boulevard and Whipple Street. BMW Manager Joe Deitrick arrived to the scene where two vehicles were reported damaged inside the newly remodeled showroom floor including a BMW i8 worth at least $150,000.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Columbia, SC – Overnight arson fire at Walmart held in check by sprinkler system

Blog Editor Note: Fire sprinkler system SAVED the store and minimized fire damage. Store re-opened three days later, allowing employees to return to work.

Media Report: Two men have been charged with second-degree arson in connection with Tuesday’s fire that caused $3 million in damages at the Harbison Walmart, according to police. Steven D. Edwards, 41, and Bobby J. Murphy Jr., 46, are being held at the Lexington County Detention Center, police said. The fire happened Tuesday around 3 a.m. at the Walmart that sits just off Harbison Boulevard near Interstate 26. When crews arrived, heavy smoke filled the store and flames covered one of the food aisles, Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins told The State.

The store’s sprinkler system kept the fire in check, Jenkins said. Still, the fire, which investigators believe started in one of the food aisles, caused “significant” damage to inventory and the store. A few employees and customers were inside the building during the fire, but no one was injured, authorities said. The Walmart re-opened Friday. The Columbia Police Department said tips from Crimestoppers of the Midlands and Lexington County Sheriff’s Department helped find Edwards and Murphy.

The men will be transferred to Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where a bond hearing will be held. Police had also announced a third person of interest in connection with the fire. A woman arrived with the two suspects in an older, green SUV, police said, but no arrest was announced. Both suspects have prior unrelated convictions. Edwards pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and receiving stolen goods in 2018, court records show. In 2009 and 2016, Murphy pleaded guilty to charges of domestic violence, cruelty to children, and manufacturing methamphetamine, according to records. The 2016 meth charge was suspended from 5 years in prison to 2 years probation.

Retail

Scottsdale, AZ – Man sets fire to his own business; Sprinkler system helps extinguish blaze and protect neighboring businesses

A 75-year-old Scottsdale man was arrested Sunday after a fire investigation determined he set his own business on fire earlier this month, according to police. James Richard Waller is being charged with arson of an occupied structure and criminal damage for his involvement in the April 14 fire near Pima and Pinnacle Peak roads. The fire was quickly put out by fire personnel and the building’s sprinkler system. Police say in addition to the fire and related damage to High Desert Rugs and Furnishings, several other nearby businesses and vehicles had been vandalized with spray paint.

All of the damage appeared to be related and investigators quickly deemed the fire was suspicious. During the investigation, evidence indicated Waller, the owner of High Desert Rugs and Home Furnishings, was responsible for both the spray paint and starting the fire inside his own business.

“Obviously, there was something wrong, and it makes you feel bad that it had to be that way,” said Denise Barrett, owner of a nearby business called Sonny and Chair. She said Waller had always seemed like a friendly person.

“I think he’s come in once or twice to get food to go,” said Tristen Haasch, a server at Raven Gastropub, which is also nearby. “Unfortunately, we were affected by graffiti; it covered our menu sides in the front, and our wall, the entrances.” Waller was arrested and released pending felony charges through the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing.

Apartment Building, Residential

Port Angeles, WA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire in apartment building

A Port Angeles woman who allegedly set fire to the Serenity House of Clallam County apartment she lived in has been charged with first-degree arson.

A Port Angeles woman who allegedly set fire to the Serenity House of Clallam County apartment she lived in has been charged with first-degree arson.

Port Angeles police said Kovacevic used a lighter to set fire to a mattress in her living room last Friday morning.

A Port Angeles woman who allegedly set fire to the Serenity House of Clallam County apartment she lived in has been charged with first-degree arson.

Witnesses told police that Kovacevic had been acting erratically in the week leading up to the fire, according to the affidavit for probable cause.

Police said that Kovacevic suffered a traumatic brain injury in the past and that her symptoms had escalated since she stopped taking her medication, court papers said.

The Port Angeles Fire Department arrived at the fire at 9:10 a.m. and declared it under control at 9:28 a.m. Friday. An automatic sprinkler system in the building had activated.

Kovacevic was found in a family member’s home at about noon Friday, police said.

Kovacevic allegedly admitted to starting the fire, officer Erik Smith wrote in his arrest report.

“She confirmed she did this in the living room that morning with a black lighter,” Smith wrote.

“Before leaving the area, she saw someone checking on her apartment. She remarked that when she looked at (her unit), the smoke was grey and what she observed was ‘like a cute postcard, almost.”

Kovacevic remained in the Clallam County jail on $50,000 bond Thursday.

Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols had requested a $250,000 bail for Kovacevic at her initial court appearance Monday based on community safety concerns.

A review hearing is set for April 12.

College/University (on campus), School / University

Vancouver, BC, Canada – Arson fire in college classroom building is put out with help from sprinkler system

After fires prompted an evacuation at Langara College yesterday, Vancouver police have arrested and charged an individual. Prior to noon on April 1, first responders received reports of a suspicious fire at Langara College’s West 49th Avenue campus, according to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD). A suspect had allegedly entered the college with improvised incendiary devices. At least two of the devices were detonated, causing fires to start, before the suspect fled. According to Cst. Jason Doucette at a VPD news conference held today (April 2), several other devices were left behind. Cst. Doucette said that the VPD’s bomb disposal unit neutralized a third device.

Cst. Doucette stated that sprinkler systems at the building did activate and the Vancouver Fire Department helped to put out the fires. Initially, all classes in the T Building (Science and Technology Building) were cancelled but around 1 p.m., the college evacuated everyone from the campus and also closed its 601 West Broadway campus. Based on information provided by the school and witnesses, the VPD identified the suspect as Nasradin Abdusamad Ali of Surrey, who is a 23-year-old student of Langara College, and alerted other local police agencies. Just after 4 p.m. on April 1, Metro Vancouver Transit Police arrested Ali in Surrey and turned him over to the VPD. Today, the VPD announced that Ali remains in custody and has been charged with one count of arson related to inhabited property and one count of possession of incendiary material. Although Langara College announced at 10:20 p.m. on April 1 that the VPD completed their sweep of the campus, the college’s West 49th Avenue campus remained closed today while the 601 West Broadway campus was reopened.

Other - Residential, Residential

Port Angeles, WA – Sprinkler system kept arson fire under control in multi-family home

Port Angeles police officers have arrested a woman for investigation of felony arson in the fourplex fire at Serenity House of Clallam County’s Evergreen Family Village that left three families homeless.

The blaze was reported at 9:10 a.m. Friday and was declared under control at 9:28 a.m. No one was home at the time and no one was injured, according to authorities.

Denise K. Kovacevic, 40, was in custody at the Clallam County jail with no bail set Saturday. Her first appearance in Superior Court is set for 1 p.m. Monday.

Officers were seeking Kovacevic after she was seen leaving the apartment building at 2203 W. 18th St., just prior to the blaze, said Cpl. Sky Sexton.

Also, Sexton said, the location where the fire started — in the living room of one of the units — “isn’t generally where an accidental fire would be set.”

She was found at a family member’s home at about noon Friday, according to the initial police report, Sexton said.

During an interview with a detective, “she admitted setting the fire, but gave off a lot of indications of mental health issues,” which officers hope will be explored during the process, Sexton said.

Capt. Terry Reid of the Port Angeles Fire Department said Friday that the extent of damage was unknown.

Reid said a sprinkler system activated immediately after the fire started.

“It was really under control by the time we got there,” he said.

Reid said an administrator at Serenity House was coordinating efforts to rehouse the three families who were displaced by the fire.

The administrator was not available for comment Friday.