Tag Archives: California

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.

Other - Residential, Residential

Santa Cruz, CA – Sprinkler system contains fire in six-story residential building

A sprinkler system helped contained a restaurant fire in a six-story residential building to the kitchen where it started Monday evening, according to the Santa Cruz Fire Department.

Initially reported as an individual in need of rescue, Santa Cruz firefighters responded to the 1010 Pacific Ave. scene shortly after 4 p.m. Arriving firefighters entering the building encountered heavy smoke coming from inside the kitchen, but found no trapped building occupants, Battalion Chief Josh Coleman wrote in a media release. Two adults reporting smoke inhalation were treated at the scene, the department said.

Occupants of the building’s 113 apartments were evacuated during the fire. The fire was extinguished within about 10 minutes and firefighters spent two hours searching for hidden fire extension elsewhere in the building and assisting residents in returning to their homes. The department estimated the fire resulted in about $10,000 worth of damages.

Fire investigators determined the cause to be accidental, with no foul play noted. The two-alarm fire drew mutual aid assistance from Central and Scotts Valley fire protection districts.

Government Office, Government/Military

Los Angeles, CA – Suspicious fire at city hall contained by sprinkler system

Arson investigators are looking into what caused a “suspicious” fire to break out at Los Angeles City Hall on Saturday night. 

According to the LAFD, firefighters responded to City Hall – located at 200 N. Main Street in downtown L.A. – around 8 p.m.

Preliminary reports indicated that an object was apparently thrown into the building, causing the fire to start.

Fire crews arrived on scene and responded to an activated alarm on the second floor of the building. A sprinkler helped contain most of the fire, LAFD said.

“LAFD firefighters found evidence that the fire was started suspiciously,” a spokesperson for the LAFD confirmed to KTLA.

A fire department spokesperson told the LA Times that the fire started in the office of Chief Legislative Analyst Sharon Tso.

Tso later confirmed that there was a fire in her office, but also said that she could not comment further on the matter.

Arson investigators with the Los Angeles Fire Department are handling the ongoing investigation.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Fresno, CA – Sprinkler system activated for fire inside grocery store; No injuries reported

Shoppers and staff were evacuated after a fire started inside the Foods Co. at First and Shields Ave.

Fresno Fire responded at about 8 a.m. Sunday.

Battalion Chief Kirk Wanless said the initial call for service was someone setting something on fire inside the store.

By the time firefighters arrived, smoke had filled much of the store and fire was found in an aisle.

The store’s sprinkler system activated as firefighters were about to go in.

Firefighters were able to search the entire store and get everyone out. No one was injured.

Officials say they suspect the fire was arson and are following up on all leads.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health was called to inspect the food damaged from the fire and smoke to see what, if anything, is salvageable.

A staff member at Foods Co. said they cannot comment on when the store will reopen.