Other - Storage / Warehouse, Storage / Warehouse Clairmont, AB, Canada – Fire at distribution center contained by sprinkler system September 13, 2016 viking210 A second fire call went out at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. Crews from the Clairmont and Dunes stations were called to a monitored alarm at 9802 – 84 Ave, Gregg Distributors Ltd. in Clairmont where firefighters entered the bay and found a working sprinkler and smoke. Additional crews were called to the business and the fire was quickly extinguished. “Without the sprinkler system, the damage would have been much greater but at the same time, county crews made very quick entry into the building and knocked it down, thus reducing the overall cost to the business,” he said. The cause is under investigation and no one was injured in the incident.
Retail, Shopping Mall Oakville, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system knocks down fire at shopping mall caused by welding sparks September 5, 2016 viking210 The Oakville Fire Department says no one was injured after fire broke out at the Oakville Place shopping mall earlier this morning (Tuesday). Fire crews were called to the mall at around 9 a.m. Deputy Fire Chief George Birtig said the fire started at the building’s south side when sparks from welding, which was taking place on the roof in an area undergoing renovations, dropped down into a storage area on the second floor and ignited some products there. “That set off the sprinkler system,” said Birtig. “When we got there, there was still some flame left, but the sprinklers had knocked down the majority of the fire.” Firefighters quickly extinguished what was left of the blaze. Birtig said the mall was not open when the fire took place and so no shoppers were impacted. Oakville Place staff said they were hopeful the mall could be reopened around noon.
Manufacturing, Paper Mill / Saw Mill Revelstoke, BC, Canada – Sprinkler system helps contain electrical fire at timber mill September 1, 2016 viking210 The sprinkler system at Downie Timber Mill was crucial in containing a fire that broke out at the business on Tuesday night, Aug. 30. Revelstoke Fire and Rescue Services (RFRS) responded to the fire, following a 911 call, at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday. Fire chief Rob Girard reported that the fire was electrical, possibly sparked by one of the large air compressors. With 17 personnel from the Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services responding to the fire, it was out in less than 30 minutes with no injuries. “Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy smoke pouring from the rear of the compressor building and sprinklers activated,” Girard said. “We immediately ventilated and had an attack crew enter the structure for the fire attack.” There were no occupants in the building at the time and dealing with the fire was made easier due to the installed sprinkler system. “The sprinkler system in the mill did a great job containing the fire to the area of origin,” Girard said, “without sprinklers this fire would have been a completely different matter for us.” “Our hats are off to the great staff and management at Downie Timber Ltd. who helped us when we first arrived right through to mop up,” Girard said. “We all realize how important this facility is to the community.”
Apartment Building, Residential Petersborough, ON, Canada – Garbage chute fire at apartment building kept in check by sprinkler system August 27, 2016 viking210 A fire in a garbage bin at an apartment building caused $500 damage and prompted an evacuation of the building. Peterborough Fire service responded quickly to alarm bells ringing at a high-rise building at 909 Clonsilla Ave. this afternoon. Upon arrival it was determined that a garbage bin under the building’s garbage chute was on fire. This activated the sprinkler system which controlled the fire until fire crews extinguished the fire. Smoke had spread throughout the building and crews were able to remove it. The building tenants had evacuated the building upon hearing the alarms ringing. The cause of the fire is undetermined, said acting platoon chief Lloyd Dozois.
Auto Dealership, Retail Brampton, ON, Canada – Sprinklers help douse flames at auto parts shop August 12, 2016 viking210 One victim was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries after a fire at a Brampton auto parts shop Monday. Brampton firefighters were called to the unit at 225 Advance Blvd. around 7 p.m. They were met with thick, black smoke and limited visibility, but the sprinkler system inside the business had been activated. Firefighters’ efforts combined with the sprinkler system doused the flames and the fire was declared under control by 7:30 p.m. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. One occupant of the unit was taken to Brampton Civic Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. An estimate of damage is not yet available.
Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant Steinbach, MB, Canada – Sprinklers extinguish fire in dust collection system at manufacturing facility August 4, 2016 viking210 A fire started in the dust collection system at Loewen in Steinbach. The fire department was dispatched to the scene at 8:26 p.m. Monday evening. Steinbach Fire Captain Russ Reimer says when they arrived on scene alarms were sounding and crews were sent into the building to investigate. “[They found that ] there had indeed been a fire in one of the collection systems, but these systems are also sprinkled so the sprinklers had gone off and done their job.” Reimer says crews then used a thermal imager to ensure the fire was out and no embers had travelled further. He notes they also sent a crew to the north side of the building to ensure the silos were not in danger. Reimer says the sprinkler alarms continued to sound. “The sprinkler alarms will go off when there’s any water flow in the system, and the system was sensing water flow. They may also have a faulty spot in their system right now causing the alarms to want to stay in alarm.” He notes there were employees in the building at the time of the fire but no one was injured and they evacuated when alarms sounded. “I wouldn’t say this is a common occurrence, but when it comes to manufacturing, this is not an unusual thing to have happen, which is why the systems are in place.” The cause of the fire is unknown and Reimer adds, if there is any damage, it’s minimal and most likely appear as water damage from the sprinklers.
Apartment Building, Residential Charlottetown, PE, Canada – Sprinklers limit spread of fire that started on deck of loft apartment building July 26, 2016 viking210 At least six people have been displaced after a fire late Friday afternoon at the Y Lofts condo building in Charlottetown. There were no injuries. Charlottetown Fire Chief Randy MacDonald said the call to the 18-unit condo building, located at the corner of Euston and Prince Streets, was received at 5:20 p.m. When crews arrived, they saw heavy smoke coming from the roof of the building, which was formerly the YMCA. The building was evacuated prior to fire crews arriving, he said. MacDonald added the fire seemed to have started on the outside deck of a third floor unit. It then spread to the roof. The fire was “held to the outside” by the building’s sprinkler system, he said. Shortly after 6 p.m., MacDonald said the fire was “knocked down” and mostly contained with crews dealing with hotspots. He also noted a challenge to fighting the fire was the warm weather. To keep fire fighters safe, they took “quick breaks” and kept hydrated throughout the incident, MacDonald said. Fire officials are investigating the cause.
Primary / Secondary School, School / University London, ON, Canada – Possible arson fire at school activates fire sprinkler system July 20, 2016 viking210 London police and fire inspectors are investigating a case of arson at a northwest London elementary school Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to Wilfrid Jury Public School at 950 Lawson Road at around 5:06 a.m. after alarm bells sounded. Upon arrival, smoke was visible inside the building and sprinklers were activated. Fire officials say there was a broken window at the back of the building, along with signs of forced entry inside. There was fire set inside a classroom, which was extinguished by the sprinkler system. An early estimate pegs the damage at around $20,000. There are currently no suspects in custody, or suspect descriptions at this time. The Thames Valley District School Board says all summer programs and childcare will be open, with some classroom adjustments.
Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential Gibsons, BC, Canada – Early morning fire at assisted living complex doused by sprinkler system July 15, 2016 viking210 Eighty-five residents of Christenson Village in Gibsons had to be evacuated early Saturday morning after a fire in one of the units. The Gibsons and District Fire Department said a toaster was left on a stove top, which was accidentally turned on. Fire officials said the building’s sprinkler system kicked in and quickly doused the fire. Julie Williams of the Good Samaritan Society, which runs Christenson Village, said the damage is still being assessed and they can’t say when the person who lives in the unit where the fire broke out will be able to return. Williams adds that the Society is thankful for the quick actions of its staff and the local fire department in dealing with the incident.
Apartment Building, Residential Campbell River, BC, Canada – Storage locker fire at apartment building knocked down with help from sprinkler system July 8, 2016 viking210 No injuries were reported, but there is smoke and water damage in a storage locker room and adjacent living units after a fire in a multi-unit apartment building in the 300 block of Dogwood St. on Tuesday. “At 9:45 a.m., Campbell River fire crews responded to a report of alarms ringing and fire inside a multi-unit apartment building, and they arrived to find a smoke-filled hallway on the first floor with an active fire inside a storage locker room at the end of that hallway,” deputy fire chief Chris Vrabel said in a press release. “A water sprinkler suppression system had activated and prevented a much more serious situation, which enabled the entry crew to quickly knock down the remaining fire.” The majority of residents were allowed back into the building by 11:30 a.m. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.
