Tag Archives: Evening (6pm-9pm)

College/University (on campus), School / University

Rolla, MO – Fire in university laboratory suppressed by sprinkler system; No injuries and damage limited

Crews are cleaning up today after a small fire broke out in a second-floor laboratory in McNutt Hall on the Missouri University of Science and Technology campus.  The fire started at about 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, and automatically triggered the building’s sprinkler system. The sprinkler system suppressed the fire, and Rolla firefighters extinguished the remaining fire. The lab was not occupied at the time, and no one was injured.  Damage was confined to a desk area with no fire damage to the building. Due to the activation of the sprinkler system, there was isolated water damage.  Because of the water damage and cleanup, S&T closed the north section of the second floor of McNutt Hall until cleanup is completed.  The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, but investigators have not found anything suspicious related to this fire.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Danville, IL – Sprinkler system keeps machinery fire at recycling facility from spreading

A machinery error started a fire in a recycling business Thursday night, firefighters say.

They say they found smoke pouring from Mervis Recycling, located at 14 S. Henning Road in Danville, after 8:30 p.m. Finding the exact fire proved difficult because of the smoke.

Crews say the call came in as a sprinkler system alarm. That system kept the fire from spreading.

Firefighters remained on the scene until after midnight.

The fire caused about $15,000 in damage. Firefighters say they can’t give an exact cause of the fire because the machinery responsible is too advanced.

Residential, Townhouse / Condominium

Huntington, VA – Sprinkler system activates in townhouse fire; No injuries reported

A sprinkler minimized damage and prevented injuries for a second time in weeks in the Greater Alexandria area, according to the fire department.

Fairfax County and Alexandria crew responded to the 2000 block of Huntington Avenue for a townhouse fire around 6:19 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9.

Firefighters found smoke coming from the back door and quickly extinguished a fire in one of the rooms. The residents were not home, and no one was injured.

A neighbor discovered smoke coming from the home and called 911. The home’s smoke alarms activated, while the fire sprinkler also put out a fire.

Fire investigators determined an incense stick ignited on an end table in the living room. The home’s two residents were displaced and accepted Red Cross assistance. Two adult occupants were displaced because of the fire. Red Cross assistance was requested and accepted. Initial damage estimates are $3,000.

A little over a week ago, a sprinkler system minimized fire damage at a Belle Haven high rise. The fire department reminds residents that sprinklers can save lives and their properties. 

College/University (on campus), Residence Hall/Dormitory, Residential

La Crosse, WI – Residence hall fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

The La Crosse Fire Department responded to a fire call at 6:47 p.m. Thursday evening at UW La Crosse Eagle Hall.  An investigation revealed that an electrical fan malfunctioned directly below a sprinkler head, fire officials said.  The sprinkler contained the fire and crews were able to search the building and ventilate the smoke.  According to the press release, the fire and smoke damage was minimal.  No injuries were reported.

Other Business

Bismarck, ND – Sprinkler system extinguishes laundry fire at uniform business; No injuries and no damage to building

At 6:27 p.m. <last Tuesday>, AmeriPride’s remotely monitored fire alarm system went off, alerting the fire department.  Crews found a sprinkler head had activated and contained a fire in the laundry area. Damage was limited to some baskets of fabrics and some cotton mop heads. There was no damage to the building, which was unoccupied at the time of the fire. There were no injuries to firefighters.  “Without these systems in place, the fire damage to this property would most likely have been substantial,” Fire Marshal Owen Fitzsimmons said. “This is a perfect example of a well-maintained fire protection system operating as designed.“

Restaurant

Spring Hill, TN – Fire at BBQ restaurant suppressed by sprinkler system

Martin’s BBQ Joint, 55 South and the Salty Goat were evacuated Tuesday night after a fire broke out in one of the kitchens.  There were no injuries or structural damage to the building.  “The sprinkler system did it’s job – that’s what we have sprinklers in buildings for,” said Spring Hill Fire Chief Terry Hood. “When they opened up the pit, it flared up. It was basically a grease fire.”  The source of the grease fire, according to workers on the scene.

The fire broke out on the north end of Martin’s Bar-B-Que at around 8:50 p.m., and smoke quickly filled the building.  Anthony Hall was getting a drink with a friend at 55 South when he first saw the smoke. Hall said he thought it was normal smoke from putting out the ovens, until he noticed the smoke wasn’t stopping. Hall said the fire department arrived about five minutes after the smoke started, ordering everyone to evacuate the building.

Martin’s opened in March in the Spring Hill Station building which shares an outdoor seating area with the other restaurants. All three restaurants have since returned to normal operations.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Irondequoit, NY – Nursing home fire contained by sprinkler system

Several people were forced from their homes Wednesday night after a fire at a nursing home in Irondequoit.

It happened around 8 p.m. at the Shire at Culverton Adult Home. The fire forced more than 100 vulnerable residents to evacuate.

Everyone was safe and sound except for one firefighter who suffered minor heat exhaustion. As for the residents, they’ve been moved back into the facility.

After further investigation, it was discovered that a fire broke out in one of the rooms and was contained to that room only. However, a dozen other rooms actually sustained water damage and that’s why so many residents are displaced.

News10NBC was told the home has extra space so those with damaged rooms will be moved somewhere else within the facility for the night.

If there isn’t enough room, some people will be moved to another home.

Because most of the residents have health issues, a number of first responders were on scene to make sure they were ok.

“At the time, we had a fire in the building, a smoke condition in the building. The sprinkler had activated and the fire alarm had activated so, it was a matter of safety precaution. We decided to empty the building. We assessed the situation and dealt with it,” said Chief Steve Sessler, Ridge Culver Fire District:

There is no word on when the water damage will be repaired or what actually caused the fire in the first place.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Waco, TX – Sprinkler system extinguishes fire at manufacturing plant

Firefighters were battling a fire Monday evening at the Hobbs Bonded Fibers plant at 200 Commerce St. in Waco.

A passing Waco fire crew spotted smoke coming from the plant Monday evening and notified the Waco Fire Department’s dispatcher.

About a half-dozen units were dispatched to the plant, which had been evacuated.

An employee said it appears the plant’s sprinkler system extinguished the fire before the crews arrived, but firefighters later spotted flames.

Just before 7 p.m., firefighters were looking for hot spots concentrated in the ceiling.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

The plant produces a range of products ranging from filters to health care products to industrial apparel to carpet and rug backings to Nomex and Kevlar products, quilt batting, fiberfill and pillow forms.

Firefighters were dealing not only with the fire, but also record-high temperatures.

Government/Military, Other-Government/Military

Toronto, ON, Canada – Arson fire at historic building controlled by sprinkler system

Police have taken over the investigation into a fire at Old City Hall on Monday night after investigators determined that it was deliberately set.

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg told CP24 on Tuesday morning that investigators with the Ontario Fire Marshal and Toronto Fire Services made the ruling after wrapping up an extensive investigation at the historic building at around 4:30 a.m.

“I can confirm that the fire was intentionally set. It is now in the hands of the detective at Toronto police,” he said.

The one-alarm blaze broke out in the southeast corner of Old City Hall at around 8 p.m.

Pegg said that crews first became aware of the fire after the building’s sprinkler system went off.

He said that the damage from the blaze is estimated at about $100,000, which he called “extraordinarily low” given the circumstances.

“We are very fortunate that that this building has sprinklers and that the system worked as designed. It would have been a much different scenario had that not been the case,”: he said. “We had three sprinkler heads activate last night. The sprinkler system controls the growth, development and spread of the fire so in essence it keeps it in check until our firefighters arrive and can suppress the fire.”

Pegg said that there is smoke and water damage from the fire but no structural damage.

According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of the Attorney General, the fire impacted the Provincial Offences Act appeals office but did not damage any paperwork related to criminal cases.

“The Provincial Offences Act appeals office and matters scheduled in one courtroom have been moved within the building. The courts remain operational at this time,” Brian Gray said.

No information has been released about potential suspects at this point.

Apartment Building, Residential

Franklin, TN – Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire

A Franklin woman’s pet cat will live to see another day after a kitchen fire nearly destroyed the unit. 

Officials say the fire happened around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday evening at the Grove at Shadow Green apartments off Columbia Avenue. 

The fire was started when a burner on the stove was left on, igniting the microwave and other combustibles around the appliance. 

The blaze was extinguished by a single automatic fire sprinkler, officials say protected the other occupants in the three-story, 30-unit complex. 

“We are thankful the fire sprinklers performed as designed – preventing a much different outcome for the pet and the other families living in the building,” said Franklin Fire Marshal Andy King. “The Franklin Fire Department encourages all prospective tenants to choose apartment complexes with fire sprinklers when possible. They are lifesavers.”

When responders arrived on the scene, they first rescued the tenant’s cat and then ventilated the unit and turned off the sprinkler. 

The tenant was not home at the time of the incident. She returned after neighbors notified her about the fire. 

The unit below also suffered water damage. 

Officials estimate the damage to the two units at around $25,000.