Tag Archives: Evening (6pm-9pm)

Apartment Building, Residential

Englewood, NJ – Sprinkler system credited with saving apartment complex from fire; No injuries and fire contained to one room

Firefighters battled a two-alarm fire at the Towne Center apartment complex on Friday evening, with the city’s fire chief crediting the building’s sprinkler system with containing the blaze to one room and preventing more extensive damage.

The fire was caused by a candle that fell over in a living room about 5:40 p.m. in an apartment on the fourth-floor of the 4½-story complex and led to the temporary evacuation of about 150 people, said city Fire Chief Gerald Marion. It was under control about 30 minutes later, he said, adding that no one was injured and the fire’s cause was determined to be “accidental.”

Marion said the building, comprising two connected towers, is made of the same lightweight construction as the Avalon apartment complex in Edgewater where about hundreds of people were displaced indefinitely last week when one of its two buildings was destroyed by fire despite the presence of a sprinkler system. The Englewood complex’s robust sprinkler system “did most of the work” of putting out Friday’s fire, the chief said.

“Had there not been a sprinkler, we would have potentially seen something similar to Edgewater,” Marion said. He said that owners of the Towne Center, which has more than 180 units, on Friday night began repairing damage to the apartment where the fire occurred. The family that resides there is staying elsewhere during repairs, he said. Other residents were allowed to return to their apartments about an hour after the fire began.

Apartment Building, Residential

Renton, WA – Sprinkler system extinguishes apartment fire before it can spread

A sprinkler system extinguished a fire at a Renton apartment complex Tuesday night before it could spread, according to Renton Fire and Emergency Services Department.

The call came in at 8:06 p.m. as an activated fire alarm at the Benson Downs Apartments, 11000 S.E. Petrovitsky Road.  No one was injured, but three families were displaced from their water-damaged apartments, according to Renton Deputy Fire Chief Chad Michael. The American Red Cross responded to assist them.

Four units suffered water damage, with the unit where the fire started the most affected by water and some fire, according to Michael.

The fire was started by flower-shaped decorative lights resting on the carpeted floor in the dining area, he said. Fire crews didn’t need to deploy their firefighting equipment but helped clean up the water damage.

Two engines, one ladder truck and two aid units responded to the fire. Michael stressed that the sprinkler system kept the fire in check. “The sprinkler did its job and kept the impact to a pretty minimal amount,” he said. A damage amount wasn’t immediately available.

He noted that recent fires at apartment complexes in Renton grew in size because they didn’t have sprinklers.

Manufacturing, Manufacturing Plant

Cobourg, ON, Canada – Sprinkler system activates in fire at wood pallet manufacturer; No injuries to workers

All staff got out safely after a fire started in a grinder machine at Canada Pallet Friday evening. Cobourg Fire was called to the plant on Division Street in Cobourg after 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23 after the machine overheated and started a fire, said Fire Captain Scott MacDonald. The flames set off the sprinkler system, he said.

 Night supervisor Cathy MacLean said she saw the flames and ran over to shut off power to the machine. She made sure everyone was out of the building, a staff of about 40 to 50 people. “Thank God everyone is out safe,” she said.

Grocery Store / Super Center, Retail

Chattanooga, TN – Fire at Walmart quickly extinguished by sprinkler system

Chattanooga firefighters responded to a reported fire shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Walmart on Gunbarrel Road. Captain Teri Rose, the incident commander, said the fire was located in the women’s clothing section.

Captain Rose said the fire involved one circular clothing rack.
 
The smoke and fire activated the building’s sprinkler system, which quickly extinguished the flames.

No injuries were reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

Modesto, CA – Single sprinkler controls intentionally set fire by man under influence of methamphetamine

A Modesto man who set a pair of socks on fire to ward off a perceived intruder was arrested Sunday. Police say the man had been smoking methamphetamine earlier in the day. “These apartments have sprinkler systems,” said Modesto Fire Department Battalion Chief Hugo Patino. “One sprinkler activated and held the fire in check.” 

The incident occurred in the 2800 block of West Rumble Road just after 7 p.m., said Modesto Police Department spokeswoman Heather Graves. Officers believe the man might have been hallucinating due to drug use when he set the socks on fire. Graves said the suspect believed someone was trying to break into his home and thought the fire would scare him off.

The burning socks subsequently caught the bedroom on fire and the man had to evacuate with his wife and two children.

Apartment Building, Residential

Toronto, ON, Canada – Fire at off-campus residence quickly contained by sprinkler system

Toronto Fire responded to a fire at Ryerson’s O’Keefe House residence building tonight.  Six units responded to the call, which was quickly contained due to the building’s sprinkler system, according to Toronto Fire Services.

Smoke was seen coming from the upper floor of the building shortly after 6 p.m. and started in a residence bedroom.  The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.  Ryerson’s smallest residence, O’Keefe House was built around 1875.  It currently houses 32 students.

Other Business, Place of Worship

Houston, TX – (NO MEDIA COVERAGE) Fire at large church controlled by single sprinkler

*** FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED – NO MEDIA COVERAGE ***

The West I-10 Fire Department responded to the report of a fire in a large Light Hazard building. The Second Baptist Church located at 19449 was not occupied when the call was received. The call came in at 1755 hours on January 1, 2015. Engine 01 and District 9 arrived on the scene at 1807 and assumed command and started the investigation. This fire was controlled by one sprinkler head.

*Incident Command Narrative:*

“A” division reports grey smoke, non-pressurized, alarm sounding and crews can hear an active sprinkler head flowing water. E-01 establishes a forward apartment house hose lay and enters on a right wall search. E-01 quickly reports identifying a television on fire, held in check by sprinkler system. E-01 extinguishes fire, tap out reported.

Building officials on site and confirm building was not occupied. Building officials worked to assist fire department personnel. “C” division assigned to secure sprinkler system and open main drain. Transition from extinguishment to salvage/overhaul, and ventilation begins.

Building ventilated with multiple fans, crews began removal of standing water in lobby of church. Walk through completed with. Also spoke with Director of Operations and answered all questions and completed second walk through with him also. Phone call made to HCFMO and discussed situation. I requested that HCFMO visit site and issue a fire watch order due to sprinkler and fire alarm systems being offline.

Other - Retail, Retail

Columbia, SC – New Year’s Eve fire at Walmart extinguished by sprinkler system

A fire broke out early Wednesday night at the Walmart on Bush River Road.  Officials say upon arrival, Walmart’s sprinkler system units had extinguished the fire. 

Brick Lewis with the Columbia Fire Department says that at least six units including 3 ladder companies responded to the store. Lewis says that the responding units opened doors and windows to remove the smoke from the building.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Apartment Building, Residential

Bel Air, MD – Apartment fire doused by sprinkler system, no injuries reported

 Before 9 p.m. Monday night, crews responded to a reported apartment fire and found a “smoldering mattress” in an apartment in the 200 block of Kings Crossing Circle, said Rich Gardiner, spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.  The sprinkler system contained the fire, and there were no injuries as a result, Gardiner said.

Residential, Residential High Rise

Chicago, IL – (NO MEDIA COVERAGE) High-rise condominium fire controlled by sprinklers

*** No Media Coverage – Contractor Reported ***   – A grease fire on an electric stove in an interior one-bedroom condo on the 23rd floor started on Saturday evening (12/20/14).  The owner attempted to extinguish it with a towel, but it didn’t work.  A sprinkler operated and controlled the fire. The building is located at 1629 S Prairie in downtown Chicago ( Adler Place, formerly called 1600 Museum Park)