Tag Archives: California

Residential, Residential High Rise

San Diego, CA – Sprinkler system activated for lithium-ion battery fire in high-rise apartment building

A lithium-ion battery was blamed for starting a fire in a high-rise apartment building in East Village on Wednesday night, leaving 15 residents displaced and one complaining of smoke inhalation, a fire official said.

The fire was reported shortly after 7:10 p.m. at the building on 14th Street near Commercial Street in a fourth-floor apartment, a San Diego Fire-Rescue spokesperson said. Because of the size of the building, the fire went to a third alarm, which summoned more resources to help.

When firefighters arrived, they helped evacuate the building but they didn’t have to put out the fire. That was taken care of by the building’s sprinkler system. The sprinklers also caused extensive water damage to 14 units on the third floor and two common areas, fire officials said.

It was estimated the fire and sprinkler system caused $150,000 in damage.

Fifteen people were displaced and assisted by property management. It was determined that Red Cross assistance wasn’t needed.

One person was evaluated for smoke inhalation but did not require medical treatment.

The fire was determined to be accidental. The battery was for an e-bike and was on a charger connected to an electrical outlet when it sparked the fire.

A HAZMAT team responded to handle the battery mitigation and air monitoring, the department said.

Apartment Building, Residential

Los Angeles, CA – Sprinkler system contains third floor apartment fire; No injuries reported

Firefighters quickly doused a blaze that erupted in an Exposition Park apartment building this morning, officials said.

The fire, which was contained in a single unit on the third floor of the four-story structure at 3671 S Western Ave., was subdued by the building’s sprinkler system before the fire department arrived.

Upon receipt of a 9-1-1 call at 9:07 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department was dispatched to the scene.

According to LAFD, firefighters made entry and were able to extinguish the fire completely within 16 minutes, preventing the spread of flames and ensuring no injuries were reported.

The buildup of water from the sprinklers led to salvage operations by the crew to mitigate damage to the property.

The unit, part of a modern apartment complex comprised of three residential floors over parking, showed light smoke when the first responders arrived.

“Firefighters located fire in one unit on the 3rd floor being held in check by sprinklers,” stated LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart.

As a precaution, crews conducted thorough investigations to ensure that there were no remaining threats. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and details as to the extent of the damage have not been disclosed. According to the fire department’s estimate, the swift action of the sprinkler system and the efficiency of the responding teams curtailed what could have been a much more severe incident, a testament to the importance of fire safety systems in residential buildings.

Other - Residential, Residential

Paso Robles, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire in multifamily residential building

A fire forced residents to evacuate a three-story Paso Robles multifamily residential building Sunday evening.

The fire on 33rd Street was first reported around 8:15 p.m., according to a news release from Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services.

It was located in an exterior storage space on the second floor of the building, the release said.

The fire suppression sprinkler system was working and helped mitigate the effects of the flames until firefighters could arrive on-scene.

“Due to the fire suppression system and quick actions by firefighters, there was no fire extension into the living quarters, and there was minimal damage to the structure,” the release said.

All occupants safely evacuated their homes during the blaze and were able to return after the fire was extinguished by firefighters, the release said.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined, according to the release.

Two fire engines, one battalion chief from Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services responded to the fire, along with two San Luis Obispo County Cal Fire engines and one battalion chief and a ladder truck from the City of Atascadero Fire Department.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Petaluma, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire at salon; No injuries reported

A working fire sprinkler system was instrumental in keeping a fire at a Petaluma business from growing any larger, the Petaluma Fire Department said.

The blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. Monday inside a salon in the 900 block of Lakeville Street. Authorities were alerted to the fire by a water flow alarm at the business, Petaluma FD Fire Inspector Joe Garcia said.

“The first arriving engine found heavy smoke inside the building and requested an upgrade to a full structure response,” Garcia said. “When additional resources arrived, crews made entry and were successful in keeping the fire from spreading into the adjacent businesses.”

After putting out the fire, crews found that a working sprinkler system helped keep the blaze contained to where it started which was at a workstation in the middle of the business.

“This incident is a reminder of how important it is to have a functioning sprinkler system, not only in the home but in businesses, as well,” Garcia said. “Having a functioning system can mean the difference in minimal versus extensive damage to a structure, but it can also allow more time for people to escape in case of a fire.”

The City of Petaluma Building Department and PG&E evaluated the affected businesses for safety and red-tagged the business where the fire started, restricting the use of the building.

The Petaluma Fire Prevention Bureau was still investigating the cause of the fire, Garcia said.

“The Petaluma Fire Department is happy to report there were no injuries to firefighters, and no patrons or employees were on site at the time of the incident,” Garcia said. “Additionally, we want to thank our surrounding partners for their assistance during the incident and for providing station coverage to protect the city.”

Uncategorized

Mountain View, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire in commercial building

Yesterday morning, the City of Mountain View Fire Department received an emergency call from 2522 Leghorn St. A fire engulfed a single-story commercial building at this location.

Upon arrival, firefighters found that the facility’s sprinkler system had already begun fighting the flames per the City of Mountain View news report.

Mountain View and Palo Alto Fire Department units controlled the fire efficiently.

They confirmed the fire’s extinction using thermal imaging cameras and ensured safety by cutting open the building’s walls and roof.

The fire originated from the rear, it appears, where no ignition sources exist.

An investigation continues into the cause of the fire, which migrated from exterior to interior, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage.

Apartment Building, Residential

Los Angeles, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire in three-story apartment building; No injuries reported

Yesterday, Los Angeles firefighters managed a fire in a Vermont-Slauson apartment building.

The Los Angeles Fire Department reports the fire ignited within a second-floor unit of the three-story building.

A fire sprinkler in the unit helped contain the blaze until firefighters arrived to douse it.

From the time of the alarm sounding to the extinguishing of the blaze, thirteen minutes passed. The occupants of the apartment complex evaded injury. Currently, the fire’s cause is under investigation.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Visalia, CA – Sprinkler system contains fire in restaurant attic; No injuries reported

The cause of what led to a fire Tuesday morning at a restaurant in Visalia is under investigation, according to the Visalia Fire Department.

Around 8:00 a.m., firefighters were called to El Rosal Restaurant in the 3100 block of West
Noble Avenue for a fire alarm.

Once on scene, officials say crews made entry to the restaurant and discovered smoke inside.

Officials say the fire was found in the attic and was contained by the sprinkler system.

There was also a report of a person on the roof, but nobody was found.

No injuries were reported and officials say the cause of the fire is under investigation

Department Store, Retail

Buena Park, CA – Sprinkler system activated for arson fire at Target; No injuries reported

Buena Park police have arrested a woman for allegedly setting a fire at a Target store as cover for her attempt to steal baby formula.

The fire on Sept. 5 led to the evacuation of the Orange County store as flames quickly reached to the ceiling and spread through the children’s clothing section.

A store employee with a fire extinguisher and the building’s sprinkler system were able to put out the blaze.

No injuries were reported but merchandise and the store itself were damaged by flames, smoke and water.

The damage is estimated at $1 million in retail goods and $500,000 to the interior of the building itself.

Buena Park police say they “determined the fire was intentionally set during an attempt to steal baby formula.”

They identified and arrested a suspect, Cynthia Torres, 40. Her city of residence was not disclosed in the police statement.

Hotel / Restaurant, Restaurant

Santa Rosa, CA – Sprinkler system activated for structure fire in restaurant; No injuries reported

Firefighters are investigating a commercial structure fire early Wednesday in downtown Santa Rosa. 

The Santa Rosa Fire Department said the blaze, which was first reported shortly before 12:45 a.m., occurred in the 500 block of Fourth Street.

Upon arrival, firefighters found water coming from both floors of a two-story brick building that houses various businesses, the department said.

The blaze was raised to a two-alarm assignment after firefighters noticed a fire alarm was sounding inside the building and that windows of a second-floor establishment were stained with smoke, indicating there was fire inside.

Firefighters had to force their way into a stairway leading to the second floor, according to the fire department. Crews then found the fire inside the Thai House restaurant, just being checked by a sprinkler head that activated.

After firefighters extinguished the fire and cleared the area, they forced their way into Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Tap Room on the first floor, directly below where the blaze had started in the Thai House restaurant.

There was no smoke or fire from the first-floor establishment, but significant amounts of water were pouring down from the floor above it, the fire department said.

No injuries were reported by firefighters.

Only the Thai House restaurant and Belly Left Coast Kitchen and Tap Room were the building’s establishments damaged by the fire, according to the department, which added that the damage was estimated to be $150,000. Both businesses will be closed for an indefinite period.

The fire department noted the working fire sprinkler system prevented the flames from spreading throughout the building.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, even though it looks accidental, according to firefighters.

Other / Not Specified, Other Business

Palm Desert, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire in commercial building; No injuries reported

A fire in a one-story commercial building in Palm Desert Tuesday evening was extinguished with no reports of injuries.

Firefighters responded to the 77700 block of Flora Road, near Las Montanas Road, around 8:10 p.m. to a report regarding light smoke coming from a one-story commercial building, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Firefighters discovered two golf carts fully engulfed in flames as they approached the inside of the building.

The building’s sprinkler system assisted in holding back the fire.

The fire was contained around 8:54 p.m. Firefighters remained on the scene for clean-up and to ensure all hot spots were extinguished.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.