Tag Archives: Early AM (5am-7am)

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Henrietta, NY – Fire contained by sprinkler system at manufacturing plant

A fire broke out Sunday morning at ORAFOL Precision Technology Solutions in Henrietta shortly after 6:30 a.m. .

The Henrietta Fire District said the fire was contained to an area of the building that contained an 800-gallon container of Sodium Hydroxide which is a chemical used in the manufacturing process to clean machinery.

According to fire crews, the fire was contained by the buildings fire sprinkler system but was not fully extinguished. Fire crews fully extinguished the fire quickly while using extinguishers and hose lines.

A Level 1 Haz-Mat was declared due to the chemicals involved in the fire and mixed in with the sprinkler water run-off, which brought a full response from the Monroe County Fire Bureau’s Haz-Mat team.

Henrietta Fire said there was never a threat to the public as a result of the fire or chemicals involved.

Crews will remain on site to monitor the air and water in addition to helping come up with a plan to clean the contaminated water from the building.

Henrietta Fire was assisted by Monroe County Sheriffs, the Monroe County Fire Bureau, Gates, Chili, Pittsford, Honeoye Falls, and East Avon fire departments; as well as CHS Ambulance and Monroe Ambulance. 

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, Other Business

East Hampton, NY – Fire at indoor tennis building contained by sprinkler system

Detectives are investigating a fire that broke out in an office building at East Hampton Indoor Tennis on Saturday morning — the second fire at the complex this year. 

At 5:01 a.m., the East Hampton Fire Department was called to an automatic fire alarm inside a building that houses the complex’s office at 174 Daniel’s Hole Road, near the East Hampton Airport. Brian Stanis, the second assistant fire chief, arrived to find “a heavy smoke condition” coming from the building, according to Chief Gerard Turza. He called for the rest of the Fire Department to respond. 

“Firefighters found the remnants of a fire inside of the structure that had been contained by the building’s fire sprinkler system,” Chief Turza said. 

He would not comment about the extent of the damage. There were signs of minor exterior damage to the building, including darkened siding, a blown out window, and damage to the door.

The chief would only say, “The cause and origin of the fire is currently under investigation by the East Hampton Town Fire Marshal’s office.”

Police set up yellow crime scene around the building. Suffolk police detectives were on scene, along with East Hampton Town police and the fire marshal. 

East Hampton Village Ambulance Association were also called to the fire. No injuries were reported, though. 

East Hampton firefighters responded to a fire in a different building in the East Hampton Indoor Tennis complex in January.  A corroded pipe leaked gas into a wooden building and, at the time, investigators said that it appeared that when a heater went on, it ignited the gas. There was extensive damage to that building, which was quickly repaired. The other buildings, including a bowling alley and sports bar that were being built on the property and have since opened, were not damaged.

It was business as usual at East Hampton Indoor Tennis and the Clubhouse Saturday morning. Scott Rubenstein, the managing partner, could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Hotel / Motel

Manhattan, KS – Laundry fire at Hilton Garden Inn held in check by automatic sprinkler system; No injuries

Manhattan fire crews responded to a fire at Hilton Garden Inn early Saturday morning at 410 S. Third St., at about 6:40 a.m. and found a fire in the laundry room. The blaze started accidentally in a commercial dryer unit, according to a report from the fire department. The building’s sprinkler system had activated and kept it contained.  General manager Brad Everett said the guests were evacuated safely, and no one was injured. Sixteen firefighters responded on six fire vehicles, with the last units clearing at around 8:00 am.

Apartment Building, Residential

Amarillo, TX – Sprinkler system activates in apartment dryer fire helping to contain it to laundry area

The Amarillo Fire Department battled a structure fire early Thursday morning at the Cypress Creek Apartments that was caused by a lint trap and vent in a dryer.  According to AFD, at about 6:45 a.m., Amarillo Fire Dispatch received a report of a possible structure fire at the apartments at 527 Jason Avenue. Units arrived on scene in under 10 minutes to find smoke coming from a first-floor apartment. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the flames that were confined to a dryer. The fire was ruled under control just before 7 a.m.  The sprinkler system activated.  The Amarillo Fire Marshall’s Office was called to the scene and ruled the fire accidental and determined it originated in the dryer.  AFD reminds citizens of the importance of maintaining and cleaning the lint trap and vent of dryers in the home. Not maintaining them results in a fire hazard.  The complex had properly maintained and working smoke detectors. Once residents were alerted to the fire, they were able to escape the apartment without injury. There were no other injuries in this incident.

Apartment Building, Residential

Toms River, NJ – Sprinkler system keeps apartment fire from spreading

Residents who were forced from a Toms River apartment building amid a Thanksgiving morning fire are expected to be able to go home on Monday, Toms River officials said Saturday.  The fire at Highland Plaza that forced 100 residents to evacuate was caused by careless smoking, said Kevin Esposito, chief inspector with the Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention. The resident of the apartment was treated at Community Medical Center, Toms River, for smoke inhalation, he said.   The fire started before 7 a.m. on Thanksgiving and authorities were alerted by an automated alarm; fire personnel arriving at the complex at 91 Highland Parkway saw smoke coming from an apartment window.

Esposito said firefighters under the command of Chief Mike Muttie from Toms River Fire Company 1 entered Tower C through a stairwell and were able to extinguish the fire without incident and extension to any other apartment. A sprinkler head outside the burning apartment activated and kept the fire from extending into the hallway, he said.  The residents initially were taken to Toms River High School South with assistance from the Toms River school district, which provided buses for the evacation amid the frigid temperatures, said Jillian Messina of the Toms River Police Department. Some residents were picked up by family and others were placed in temporary housing by the building owner, she said.  Paul Daley, Toms River emergency management coordinator, said it was expected most residents would be able to return to the building on Monday.

Government Office

Woodstock, VA – Fire caused by malfunctioning printer at Voter Registrar’s Office controlled with help from sprinkler system

Just days ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, an early morning fire has forced Shenandoah County to move its voter registrar’s office.  Early on November 1, a fire originated in the Shenandoah County Voter Registrar’s Office, located in the Shenandoah County Government Center at 600 N. Main St.  According to the Shenandoah County Fire Marshal’s office, which is investigating the cause of the fire, it appears it was accidentally set by a malfunctioning printer.  However, due to damage from the fire, followed by activation of the sprinkler system in the building, the office is being temporarily relocated, along with all personnel and equipment.

Voters, including those planning to cast an absentee ballot ahead of Election Day, can access the relocated office at exterior door 3 of the county office building during regular business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and on Saturday, November 3, which is the final day to cast an in-person absentee ballot in Virginia.  The office will remain in the new location until further notice.

“Based on our preliminary review of the damage, it appears all voter records and any absentee ballots casts in advance of next week’s election have been protected and are secure. We are grateful the damage was not more extensive”, said Lisa McDonald, Shenandoah County Voter Registrar.

Fire companies from Strasburg, Edinburg, Woodstock, Toms Brook, and Shenandoah County responded to the scene to extinguish the fire on Thursday morning, with help from Woodstock Rescue, Woodstock Police and the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s Office.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Fergus, ON, Canada – Fire Chief credits sprinkler system in early morning fire at plastics plant

Sprinklers put out a small early morning fire at the AO Smith building on Hill Street West here on Oct. 31.  The fire began in the SM Polymers portion of the building, which is separated from the main AO Smith building by concrete blocks.  Centre Wellington deputy fire chief Jonathan Karn said the department was called at 5:20am but when firefighters arrived the fire was largely extinguished by the sprinkler system.  Karn said two cardboard boxes piled close to the ceiling ignited when a heater was turned on.

“So no damage to the building itself; actually the sprinkler system activated and put the majority of the fire out before we got there, which is good,” Karn said.  “It actually saved that building and most of the product.”

The damage is estimated at $5,000 to $10,000. There were no injuries and all employees had evacuated to the parking lot prior to the arrival of firefighters, Karn said.  The fire department cleared the scene just before 6:20am.

Apartment Building, Residential, Restaurant

Saint John’s, NL, Canada – Pizzeria fire in building with apartments above is extinguished by sprinkler system

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A Saint John restaurant remains closed after it was damaged by fire early Saturday morning. Crews from the Saint John fire department responded to call at Pomodori Pizzeria at 34 Canterbury Street, located in the city’s uptown.  There are apartments upstairs in the three-storey structure.  Platoon Chief Barry Oickle said the first crew could not locate the initial source of the fire. With the help of another crew, they searched all three floors of the building to make sure all tenants had been evacuated.  After further investigation, the source of the fire was found inside the restaurant located on the ground floor. Access was gained from an adjoining business.  Oickle said there had been a small fire that was extinguished by the sprinkler system in the kitchen. “But it also caused some smoke and water damage,” he said. Fire crews worked to clear the smoke from the building. Tenants were allowed to return to their apartments after about two hours. “The cause has not yet been determined but it does not seem to be suspicious in nature,” Oickle said.

Apartment Building, Residential

Spokane, WA – Apartment fire extinguished by sprinkler system before fire crews arrive

At 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, Spokane firefighters responded to fire alarms going off at a South Hill apartment complex at 3210 E 44th Ave. 

A mom and her baby were in their apartment when a candle was accidentally knocked onto a bed and started the fire. The mother and child safely got out of the building.

According to Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, the building’s sprinkler system put out the fire before crews even arrived. Damage was contained the bedroom where the fire started.

Fire alarms effectively notified people in nearby units. Up to 25 people evacuated but were able to return to their apartments when fire crews got there. 

The mom and baby are now unable to stay in their unit because of smoke damage. Chief Schaeffer said Tuesday the building owner was working with the mother on a place for them to stay. 

Storage / Warehouse, Warehouse

Houston, TX – Sprinkler system helps contain warehouse fire near Bush Airport

Firefighters with the Houston Fire Department put out a warehouse fire near Bush Intercontinental Airport early Thursday morning.

Just after midnight, seven HFD units responded to the large fire at the warehouse on Lee Road at North Road.

Heavy smoke was coming from the warehouse where a pallet with merchandise on it somehow caught fire.

According to District 102 Chief Charles Medina, the sprinkler system inside the warehouse kept the fire contained.

If the sprinkler system hadn’t been in place, Chief Medina said, the fire could have become a 2-alarm or 3-alarm fire.

“That sprinkler really did helped out a lot. It kept (the fire) in check. And that’s what a sprinkler system does, it doesn’t completely extinguish it, but it does keep it in check.” he said.

There was merchandise from various businesses, like Amazon, inside the warehouse to be shipped by plane.

Medina said there was no structural damage and no injuries.