Tag Archives: California

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.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Fresno, CA – Sprinkler system controls high-rise building fire until fire crews arrive

Firefighters worked to contain a fire that broke out inside a historic high-rise building in downtown Fresno on Sunday.

Around 4:00 p.m., the Fresno Fire Department says a fire engine responded to the Pacific Southwest Building near Fulton and Mariposa avenues after receiving a report that a sprinkler system was going off on the 14th floor.

When firefighters arrived, they found an alarm sounding inside of the building as residents made their way safely outside.

Firefighters made their way up to the 14th floor, where they called for a 2nd-Alarm after finding smoke.

After a 2nd-Alarm was called, several more fire engines arrived and could be seen surrounding the 16-story building.

The sprinkler system was able to keep the fire under control until firefighters could arrive and put it out.

Fire officials say investigators are working to figure out what started the fire.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Folsom, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at restaurant; No injuries reported

Firefighters put out a fire at a restaurant in Folsom early Tuesday morning.

Officials with the Folsom Fire Department say they were alerted to a fire burning at a restaurant on Greenback Lane near Green Top Way just after 1 a.m. when the alarm connected to the restaurant’s sprinkler system went off.

When fire crews arrived, they say the blaze was burning the front of the building and after additional crews were brought in, they were able to put out the fire quickly.

Investigators say the inside of the restaurant was damaged by smoke and water.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Uncategorized

Fontana, CA – Sprinkler system activated for small fire in bathroom

Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire that had erupted at a building in Fontana on May 26, according to the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

At 8:54 p.m., crews were dispatched to the location in the 16000 block of Merrill Avenue, according to Public Information Officer Mike McClintock.

Crews found smoke and a small fire in a bathroom fan that had spread to a small area of the attic. Firefighters put the fire out and checked for extension to the remainder of the attic space and adjoining units.

“Thankfully a quick response and an activated fire sprinkler helped keep the fire from growing larger,” McClintock said.

Crews remained on scene for about one hour, working on salvage and overhaul.

Initially there were reports of people trapped inside the building, but those reports turned out to be unfounded, McClintock said.

“In the event of fire, time is the biggest enemy, and every second counts. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. Have escape plans to get out of your home quickly. Practice E.D.I.T.H. — Exit Drills in the Home — with your family,” McClintock said.

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

San Diego, CA – Fire on 10th floor of hotel extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A minor fire in a high-rise hotel next to Petco Park prompted an evacuation of the structure today along with closures of various nearby streets in the western reaches of the downtown East Village district.

The non-injury blaze erupted within a mini-refrigerator in a 10th-floor guest room at the Omni San Diego Hotel about 1:15 p.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

The flames spread to a wooden cabinet and a small section of wall before being extinguished by a built-in fire-sprinkler system, SDFRD spokeswoman Monica Munoz said.

“The hotel (also) has an automatic system that notifies everyone inside to evacuate when … activated,” she said. “So that is what took place. The only fire damage was to the room itself where the fire started. There is some water damage to other areas.”

Authorities shut down a stretch of L Street, which fronts the hotel, and parts of J Street, K Street, Sixth Avenue and Tony Gwynn Drive while firefighters made sure the blaze was fully under control.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Fresno, CA – Sprinkler system contains flames for fire outside auto repair shop

Fresno firefighters responded to a fire outside an auto repair shop Tuesday morning.

The fire was near Van Ness and Los Angeles in downtown Fresno.

The Battalion Chief said the fire caused damage mostly to the outside of the building. It also burned a transformer. He says the fire did get inside the building , but an overhead sprinkler contained the flames and damage was limited to a corner. He suspects the fire was caused by a homeless encampment.

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Fresno, CA – Sprinkler system controlled fire at Amazon fulfillment center until fire crews arrived

Firefighters are investigating after a fire broke out at the Amazon fulfillment center in southwest Fresno on Friday morning.

The fire was reported around 1:45 am. Nearly a dozen fire units responded to the facility on Orange Avenue.

Fire officials say they found flames on the third floor of the fulfillment center. The sprinkler system had turned on and helped to keep the blaze controlled.

Firefighters knocked down the flames and prevented them from spreading further.

Fire crews have not determine what sparked the blaze. Witnesses tell Action News they believe the flames broke out on one of the robotics that carries pods.

They say the water from the sprinkler system flowed down to the two bottom floors.

Firefighters spent several hours throughout the morning removing the water.

Everyone inside the building was safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.

Officials were assessing the damage caused by the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Santa Barbara, CA – Sprinkler system kept fire in check at sushi restaurant; No injuries reported

Firefighters doused an early morning kitchen fire at Sushi Tyme restaurant in downtown Santa Barbara on Thursday, according to the Santa Barbara City Fire Department.

Crews were dispatched at about 2:50 a.m. to the restaurant at 819 State St. for reports of fire alarms ringing, Capt. George Martinez told Noozhawk.

First-arriving crews found the restaurant filled with smoke and fire sprinklers going off, Martinez said, and additional firefighters were dispatched.

Firefighters pulled a hose to the front door of the structure and forced entry into the business, where crews discovered a small fire in the kitchen, Martinez said.

The fire sprinklers were able to douse most of the flames, Martinez said, adding that they prevent fire damage to most of the business.

No injuries were reported.

Three engine companies, a truck company, and a battalion chief were deployed to the scene.

The fire was determined to be accidental in nature, according to fire Engineer Kevin Corbett.

The restaurant will be closed until repairs can be made, Corbett said.

Residential, Single Family Home

Petaluma, CA – Sprinkler System activated for residential structure fire

Two adults including an elderly man were displaced by a residential fire in Petaluma on Sunday afternoon, Petaluma Fire Department Battalion Chief Mike Medeiros said.

The fire department received a report of a structure fire on the 1800 block of Fieldstone Lane at about 3:10 p.m. Sunday and dispatched the battalion chief, an engine, a ladder truck and an ambulance to the residence.

Upon arrival, firefighters saw that light smoke was coming from the front door of the home, Medeiros said. Firefighters quickly gained access, and they found a couch fire that had activated the overhead fire sprinkler and an elderly man who needed assistance to evacuate.

The man was evaluated for smoke inhalation and transported to Petaluma Valley Hospital for a further evaluation by a doctor, Medeiros said. A woman was outside when firefighters arrived on scene and was not injured.

An additional engine arrived to assist crews with salvage and overhaul to minimize further water damage from the sprinkler, Medeiros said.

The City of Petaluma Building Department and Fire Prevention responded to the scene. After an investigation, the residence was “red tagged,” due to the sprinkler system being activated, and the utilities shut off.

The preliminary fire investigation determined that the fire possibly started from an overloaded extension cord under the couch, but the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, Medeiros said.

“Had it not been for the activation of the sprinkler system this fire would have grown to become much larger,” Medeiros said. Smoke detectors also alerted the residents to the fire.

The displaced adults have family who can care for them until their home is safe again, Medeiros said. Smoke and water damage is estimated at $25,000.

Rancho Adobe Fire and Cal Fire were also on the scene.