Tag Archives: Florida

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Longwood, FL – Fire sprinkler keeps trash fire at recycling center in check until firefighters arrived

Several fire departments responded to a fire at Seminole County’s Central Transfer Station early Thursday morning.

Firefighters from Longwood Fire Department, Sanford Fire Department, Lake Mary Fire Rescue and Seminole County Fire Department responded to the fire at 1950 SR 419 just before 3:00 a.m.

A spokesperson for the Seminole County Fire Department said the person who called 911 and reported the fire said the flames could be seen shooting into the air.

“Our units arrived on scene and they could see heavy smoke and a glow in the building,” said Paula Thompson, the public information officer for the Seminole County Fire Department. “Once they made entry they realized they had a trash fire and it appears a sprinkler did keep it in check until our units arrived to extinguish it.”

Crews used front loaders to pull apart the smoldering trash in order to completely extinguish the flames. The center was scheduled to open on-time Thursday morning.

Other Business, Recycling / Waste Facility

Seminole County, FL – Fire in pile of trash contained by sprinkler system

Firefighters from multiple Seminole County agencies united in response to a flaming pile of trash at the Seminole County Central Transfer Station early Thursday, according to a report by WOFL.

Firefighters learned about the flames at the Transfer Station at 2:42 a.m., according to Seminole County Fire Department.

Crews from the Longwood, Sanford, Lake Mary and Seminole County fire departments responded to the incident at 1950 State Road 419, WOFL reported.

Crews arrived on scene to find heavy smoke coming from a pile of trash caught on fire.

Firefighters had to pull apart the trash, which was smoldering, to fully extinguish it, said WOFL reporter Sydney Cameron.

Crew members were able to douse the fire with help from the activated sprinkler system.

The fire was put out, and the transfer station was scheduled to reopen at 6:30 a.m.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Manufacturing, Other - Manufacturing

Vero Beach, FL – Sprinkler system keeps fire from growing; No injuries reported

 Firefighters put out a blaze at the main factory building on the Piper Aircraft property Friday afternoon, authorities said.

Shortly after 3 p.m., there were reports of smoke at Piper, located near the Vero Beach Regional Airport. As of 3:15 p.m., the fire was out, Indian River County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Kyle Kofke said.

According to Kevin Keegan, Piper Aircraft’s vice president of general counsel, a piece of equipment caught fire in the building’s main factory.

“We don’t have all the answers yet but that’s what we know so far,” Keegan said. 

The sprinkler system kept the fire from growing until firefighters arrived to douse it, Kofke said. The blaze happened in a paint booth within the main factory. 

Piper Aircraft employees were evacuated from the building’s main factory after an “emergency evacuation” was issued for every employee, workers confirmed. 

The morning employees were told to go home immediately after the evacuation, while the afternoon shift took their place. 

The fire was contained and no injuries were reported. 

The state Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate the cause of the fi

Hotel / Motel, Hotel / Restaurant

Orlando, FL – Fire caused by hair straightener kept in check by fire sprinklers; No injuries reported

A hotel near SeaWorld Orlando was evacuated Thursday after a hair straightener sparked a fire in one of the rooms, according to Orange County Fire Rescue.

The fire happened at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld hotel off Sea Harbor Drive.

A hair straightener was left on in the bathroom of a seventh floor guest room, according to fire officials.

The sprinkler in the bathroom extinguished the fire, preventing damage in other parts of the guest room, firefighters said. Several rooms on the lower floors had water damage.

More than 1,000 hotel guest were evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported.

Apartment Building, Residential

Venice, FL – Stove fire extinguished by fire sprinkler; No injuries reported

Just before 9 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, Venice and Sarasota County Fire Departments responded to 221 Harbor Drive for a structure fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters found light gray smoke coming from unit two of the residence.

Crews entered the structure and found a fire sprinkler spraying water onto a stove fire.

Crews extinguished the fire and shut the water to the unit. The Salvation Army was contacted to assist a mother and child with relocation efforts. No injuries were reported.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Ocala, FL – Attic fire at assisted living home extinguished by fire sprinklers

Swift actions by the staff at an Ocala assisted living facility, coupled with fire suppression from a sprinkler system, diffused what could’ve been a tragic situation early Thursday morning.

Ocala Fire Rescue responded at 4:42 a.m. to reports of a commercial structure fire alarm at Ocala Cluster Facility, located in the 3200 block of SE 17 Street. While en route, firefighters were told that residents were being evacuated because light smoke was evident inside the facility, an Ocala Fire Rescue report states.

Upon arrival at the single-story, multi-unit residential structure, fire crews found moderate smoke showing. After making entry into the building, firefighters identified an active sprinkler head in the attic. Pulling ceiling tiles, crews gained access to the sprinkler head and verified the fire had been extinguished, the report says, adding that firefighters also ventilated the building to remove the smoke.

“The urgency with which the facility’s staff evacuated residents was essential to minimizing the effects of this fire call,” Battalion Chief Richie Lietz said. “Thanks to their prompt action, not only were multiple bedridden residents out of harm’s way before our arrival, but they avoided smoke inhalation and trauma from experiencing a fire.”

A building inspector was called to the scene to assess the integrity of the structure. No other injuries were reported. And Marion County Fire Rescue also responded to offer assistance, the report says.

Residential, Single Family Home

Apopka, FL – Overnight garage fire contained by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A family of three is lucky to be alive after a fire broke out in their garage.

Orange County firefighters were called to the home in the 700 block of Tortoise Ct. in Apopka. They say they got to the scene just in time to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the house.

Battalion 1 fought this house fire in the 7000 block of Tortoise Ct. Crews credit residential sprinkler system AND working smoke alarms from preventing what could have been worse. Most damage contained to garage. Two residents and pets escaped without harm.

Nursing Home/Senior Living, Residential

Winter Haven, FL – Fire at senior citizen apartment complex extinguished by sprinkler system; No injuries reported

A kitchen fire led to major damage at a Winter Haven apartment complex for senior citizens.

Before 8 p.m. Monday, Winter Haven firefighters responded to an alarm call at E.C Towers, located at 500 Avenue L NW.

They said the fire was out when they arrived, but there was water damage to apartment units below where the initial fire took place. More than 200 residents were evacuated. They said about 50 units were damaged and those residents will be temporarily displaced. Red Cross is assisting. 

“The fire sprinkler system did exactly what is was designed to do,” said Public Safety Director Charlie Bird. “Although there is some water damage to lower units, there is minimal damage overall.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire sprinkler systems can reduce the risk of dying in a fire by 85 percent.

There were no reported injuries. It’s unclear when or if residents can return to their homes. 

Retail

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Firefighters credit sprinkler system with saving Habitat for Humanity store after late night dumpster fire

Fire investigators are trying to figure out the cause of a fire that nearly destroyed a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue said the fire started in a dumpster and spread to a City Furniture trailer outside the store near Southwest Fifth Avenue and Broward Boulevard, around 12:12 a.m., Monday. Firefighters said the sprinkler system that was triggered by the fire may have saved the store from any damage.

Surveillance cameras captured a man surveying the area where the fire would later break out before knocking out the security camera, Sunday afternoon. However, officials have not yet confirmed a connection.

“When you have that much fire load, and then you have the flames now coming up the building as well as the smoke and everything else, it’s more than just a dumpster fire. It becomes a commercial structure fire,” said Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue Chief Stephen Gollan. The store almost went up in smoke after the dumpster fire.

“They were smelling a lot of smoke. They had to open all the doors and put big fans to get the smoke out of here,” said manager Pana Geullier.

The store sells used, donated and refurbished furniture to finance charitable projects, such as homes that are built from scratch for people in need.

“My sister is a Habitat homeowner, so I know the feeling. I know what we do,” said Geullier.

Officials said there was no structural damage to the building and that merchandise was not affected.

“Fortunately, this was outside. It was in an overhang area where we had sprinkler heads, so the sprinkler system went off,” said general manager Casey Huber.

Fire investigators will now determine if the fire was an accident or otherwise.

Huber said the fire would have affected more than just one store if someone started it deliberately.

“Really shocked and flabbergasted that somebody would do this, particularly to an organization like ours,” said Huber.

A business across the street from the store said they have surveillance video that showed a man crawling under a dumpster shortly before it erupted in flames.

Athletic Club/Sports Facility, Other Business

Palm Beach, FL – Sprinkler system helps limit spread of fire at country club

Fire crews responded to a small electrical fire this afternoon at the Palm Beach Country Club. The fire occurred in a concrete storage area just behind a section of the golf course that fronts North Lake Way in Palm Beach. There were no reported injuries and only minimal property damage after a lighting ballast caught fire, spread to the rafters and then fell onto a cart, igniting it. The sprinkler system engaged, and there was no reported water damage.

“Had this fire been at night, it would have been a whole different ball game,” said Sean Baker, division chief of the Palm Beach Fire Rescue Department, who was on the scene. Baker said the fire narrowly missed a fertilizer spray cart. “Thankfully, the quick response time and time of day stopped it from spreading,” he said.